Who Am I? Part #1- Childhood Memories

I'm sitting at my computer wondering who I have become and whether that is what the Lord meant me to be.

As a child I became an advid reader. I loved books! I read every book in my elementary (3) and junior high schools' libraries.(Minus the reference books we could not check out.) Librarians loved me. In 6th grade I sat under the fire escape to read during recess. I knew it was off limits, but it was the only place with shade. One day a couple boys from my class were sneaking around the back of the building when they saw me. "Watcha doin'?" the tall one asked. "Yeah, wny are back here? It's off-limits." the other demanded. "Readin'." With a smerky grin, the tall one reached for my book. but I moved it out of his reach. "You never break the rules...why read a dumb book anyhow." "It's about going undersea. Quite an adventure for an old lady and her cow." They stared in disbelief then looked at each other saying, "Proof it!" I think they planned to tease me, instead they sat down across from me. I turned back to page one and began to read. That was the day I became the reading tutor for a small group of boys. Later I learned my teacher didn't miss me. But when the boys disappeared, she went looking. Imagine her surprise when she saw us. The next day she asked me to stay after school. She explained that the boys needed to run off some of their energy, but she was delighted to see these non-readers intently listening. So we came up with a plan: on Tuesdays and Fridays I would take a book out and head for the fire escape. The other days they would burn up those wiggles that made it so hard to sit still and concentrate. When the Miss Pickeral books were finished, the boys would pick out the next one. (Our teacher or the librarian would help, if needed.) I ended up with 5-6 boys coming and they were hooked. By the end of 6th grade, those boys were checking out their own books to read at home. The librarian helped them get library cards at the neighborhood public library to encourage them to read over the summer. As for me, I already visited the public library year round. I was proud that I helped these guys enter junior high as readers!

It's All Decided

      I'd made up my mind... no books. I will continue writing short stories & articles, but a book is no longer an option. Then...

      A sweet young lady said, "God knows we are a forgetful people!"

      "A Forgetful People" I couldn't get that thought out my mind. For days it hung there 24/7 waiting for a response. Finally, in prayer, the answer came before I asked the question.

      "The Lord spoke his word to Connie. He said, 'This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Write in a book everything that I tell you.'" (Jeremiah 30:1-2 with name changed, God's Word Translation)

      Thus, I have been preparing my heart, writing, studying, & researching:

A Forgetful People: a Study of Remembering is written to increase our awareness of God and how He expects us to walk in His ways. 

Using a combination of storytelling and scripture, we look at items in my home- silver boxes, Pogo, a crystal frog, bees and apples, a wildflower collage, teacups, a basket and snowflakes- to learn how simple things can bring us into God's presence, promises, provisions, and pleasure. 

      Snoopy usually writes "Once upon a... The End." I'm already further along than that!

      A crucial need for any Christian writer is prayer support. My 25 prayer team members will keep me free of distraction, focused and accountable. Their prayers will flow into the golden bowls of heaven. (See Rev. 5:8) The second team are reviewers for writing content and for scriptural accuracy. I am blessed to have such faithful support.

      My own heartstrings are reaching into the heavens for guidance.

      To keep you updated, I will be journaling this writing adventure; and I am planning on providing a free e-book in January to give you a peek at "remembering". 

      If you'd like to join in praying for A Forgetful People, send me an e-mail at (constancegilbert@gmail.com) with your address & I'll send you a reminder bookmark. 

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      Two of my short stories were published recently: "Morning Glory" in Lori Wagner's A Patchwork of Freedom and "Oy, the Rust in the Golden Years" in Lynn Johnston's Lessons of Life.

      More of my writing can be found here:

www.4Him2U.com and Connie's Coda at                        www.positivelyfeminine.org/Beautiful/beautiful.htm