My newest kid's book, Don't Forget to Remember, is grounded in Psalm 19. It says that, “The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands." If the heavens are singing about God’s glory, I want to know how the chorus goes!
I started trying to listen more closely with all of my senses. As I practiced listening, I began to take notice of beautiful things,
like the way the sun warms up your whole body, so much so that it feels like an embrace. I took notice of the stars, brightly twinkling in the sky,
and I laughed with delight as my children excitedly ran about with their heads to the heavens and mouths wide open trying to catch the little
snowflakes that were falling, each unique and special…just like them. I began to write these beautiful details down, and as I did,
it felt like I was drawing out a map that might lead to the most precious treasure I’ve ever discovered, the wonderful love and care of God the Father.
I didn’t know how much I’d need reminding of these simple truths when our country fell into a health and economic crisis in the wake of COVID-19.
These are strange and scary and lonely times, and there are so many unknowns, but as it turns out, you can still go outside and listen to creation
remind you of the truth. The stars are still bravely shining, even in the pitch black of the night. There’s green everywhere, colorful evidence
that death never has the final word. Perhaps the best thing that we can do as we love our children through these uncertain times is to go outside
and listen to the heavens declaring the glory of God, and then sing that song to our own weary hearts and to the precious hearts of our children.
- Much love, Ellie
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Tom's fun song, The Birds' Song, an alternate look at the massive story of immigration, has been beautifully illustrated by our friend Colum
McEvoy to create a book for children.
Colum McEvoy, originally from Rostrevor, is one of the best known artists in Ireland and his work is in collections all over the world.
This parody on the immigration crisis imagines a world where the migrating birds that visit our shores every year are not allowed to come in.
We would surely miss their sweet songs and the arrival of summer.
"We may have different feathers and sing a different song / But when we sing together the differences are gone."
Primary school teachers in several
countries have been taking back the 16page glossy book to teach to their young kids as it covers the topics of diversity and culture and we're looking forward to
seeing some videos of wee ones singing it. We're also looking into the possibility of it being translated into Irish as it's already been
translated into German - very exciting.
- Fil
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