Believe you can

 

Before writing my blog for this month, I was thinking about a documentary that was on television some years ago in the 1960’s/70’s (showing my age now), that was called “7 Up” which followed a group of children from the age of 7, and then every 7 years after throughout their lives. I highly recommend it if you can get to watch it. I think the last series was “63 Up”.  It was apparently inspired by the quote which is said to be attributed to both Aristotle and St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order (also known as The Society of Jesus) - “Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man”.  

The quote also reminds me of a lovely, very powerful Bible verse that I pray as a blessing for my son, and have done so from the day he was born, and now also for my grandchildren: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Proverbs 22:6.

While searching for the series “7 Up” I came across an article titled: “What is a powerful 3-word quote” - It showed some of the quotes as, “Never give up”, “Believe you can”, “Be the change”, “You are enough”, Strength over fear”, “Decide, Act, Succeed”.  

I thought these quotes were very encouraging, and they seemed to fit very well into being a writer, amongst other things of course.

One of the main reasons that made me think of the documentary I mentioned above, is that when my son Michael was 7 he started drawing some wonderful cartoon characters of different tools, and made up several hand written books himself, colouring them in and stapling them together and we would read them over and over again.  They created so much fun and it was such an unusual idea, we know that the inspiration was given by God.  We were also advised to send them off to a publisher.

At the time, in the 1990’s it was hard for children to have books published, as publishers didn’t seem to accept work written by children, and were only interested in books that were written by adults.  We eventually sent the idea to a very popular children’s tv channel and they really loved it but said they had literally just taken on something very similar.  That was called “Bob the Builder”. 

Years went by and The Tools were picked up now and then, but not completed.  (A little bit like the toolbox in our shed).

There is also a phrase “Timing is everything” and I really believe this is so true.  It may have taken a bit longer than we thought, but my son has now written, published and selling his first book  “The Tools Winter Rescue”.  Times have moved on and technology today, along with his determination and “Decide, Act, Succeed” attitude, has made it easier and enabled him to do a lot of the work himself, as well as working together with an illustrator in the USA.

I believe that when God gives us the gift to write, it starts within us from a very young age, even though some may not realise it, and others “know that you know, that you know” that you are meant to write and eventually get those books out there.  

My son is an inspiration to me too for my writing, and it is wonderful to see that all the years of “Believe you can”, “Never give up” and “Decide, Act, Succeed” have now paid off and are such a blessing.  His daughters and his wife have also helped him with developing his books too, as he gets to hear their views first hand.  What a blessing it is to see him now read The Tools to his children, and they love it. He gives all the glory to God and at the end of each book puts a different Bible verse to help and encourage others. 

Many of us writers have so many more ideas and writing in our hearts, so never give up, and believe you can.

                        MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED NEW YEAR

Amen and God Bless.

Derrice has Written a book called “Glenna’s Angel - a Miracle from God” which is based on a true testimony about her mother’s healing, from a serious stroke, by an Angel in the ambulance. Derrice and the paramedics witnessed it.

Derrice has also written articles in church magazines and has won writing competitions in her youth. Writing has always been on her heart and she is in the process of writing another book, to help and inspire others.