"Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage."
- C. S. Lewis
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I need help. (Yes, again.)
In the manuscript for my book The Unvarnished Jesus, I include in a chapter called "Jesus the Redeemer" a first person account from a woman whose husband and two daughters were afflicted with a rare, incurable disease. She cared for them to the utmost until they passed. Her story is incredible and inspiring, and it was just the thing I was looking for to illustrate grace in a narrative way.
Two things causing me some discomfort:
I don't know the woman.
I got the story off the Internet.
I would like to replace this story with something similar but from someone I have a closer connection to. I know Thinklings readers tend to be good with words and good at "getting" grace.
Here's my offer:
If you have a story of extreme, self-emptying, incarnational grace in action -- preferably your own but perhaps that of someone quite close to you -- write a first-person account of it (no more than 2 double-spaced pages) and e-mail it to me at jared DOT wilson AT elementnashville DOT org.
I know it may seem kinda weird to brag on your own acts of service and sacrifice, but think of it as an opportunity to testify to the goodness of God in your experience. The point is to talk about how God used the ups and downs to redeem your struggle, pain, depression, stress, etc.
If I pick your story, it will appear in my book.
The only catch, of course, is that you will have to grant me permission to use it. I will credit you of course, but your only compensation will be (Lord willing) seeing your story in a book people can buy at a bookstore.
I will show the "winner" his or her story in the context of the chapter for approval before submission.
Tip:
Write honestly, including your frustrations and emotions during the experience.
Ask any questions in the comments . . .
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Comments on "Get Your Story in My Book":
2. Shrode
- 10/08/2008 2:56 pm CDT
Question: can you give other examples of the sort of story you are looking for?
Because here's what I'm thinking, a story like that is by itself amazing. But showing grace to your closest family members is one thing.
What would be even more accurate illustration of grace, would be that kind of care and love shown to an enemy.
Sometimes I've wondered if we need to redefine Grace, to be more Biblical, as "unmerited favor to an enemy".
I wonder if anyone's got a story like that? :)
I'm also thinking, that since that was your example, that "caring for a sick loved one" is all that is coming to mind, at least for me. I'd be curious to know what other sorts of stories would fit what you're looking for, to trigger our memories.
3. Jared
- 10/08/2008 3:02 pm CDT
nhe, I'm essentially looking for an "ordinary person" telling their story in first person. If McQuilkin fits the bill, I'll look into it. I think I have read about he and his wife before.
Shrode, that sort of scenario would work so long as the "story" could be told in terms of God redeeming our situations, stresses, and setbacks. It certainly would be an amazing grace story. I relate similar ones in the book about the Amish community forgiving the family of the man who murdered the school children and about the families of the 4 little girls murdered in the Birmingham church bombings forgiving the bombers.
I'm essentially looking for someone to tell their first person account of God "redeeming the time" (to borrow from Eliot).
4. salguod
- 10/09/2008 11:09 pm CDT
Have you heard Dani's story? It was written up in a Florida paper but I saw it in the Columbus Dispatch. I wrote about it here and they have a web site here.
It's an amazing story of a family that heard God's voice, listened and acted on it. That action meant a life of sacrifice and hard work for them, transforming love for Dani. I think it's just what you're looking for. There's an email address on their web site where you can contact them, and they do respond.
5. Jeff Terrell
- 10/13/2008 10:23 pm CDT
Jared, you are truly a lover of truth. God bless you, man.
6. Jared
- 10/13/2008 10:26 pm CDT
Thanks, Jeff!
As an update of sorts, I believe I've found the right story to substitute in. But if anyone else wants to take a crack at it, please email me.
Leave a Comment:
I'll think about this.......in the meantime, are you familiar with the story of Dr. McQuilkin - the former Columbia Bible College President?
He left the ministry to care for his wife, who had Alzheimers - the specifics of this story are very similar to the one you describe here - I'm sure this story is well documented on the internet......I don't know if that puts you back where you already are, but since he's a public figure, I know there are some credible sources out there on the story.