By Lisa M. Pritchard
With squinted eyes, a furrowed brow, and one missing front tooth, I watched from my school desk in the back corner of the room.
Mrs. Toms called her students one-by-one into a side room. Thud! The door closed. Minutes passed; the student emerged and called the next student.
Were they receiving a gold star or candy? Were we assigned a Scripture to memorize, and I forgot? My stomach churned. Finally, it was my turn.
Mrs. Toms sat in a tiny, plastic student chair. Grimacing, she turned a book toward me and flipped the pages.
I recognized it at once and beamed with pride.
She asked, “Do you recognize this book?”
“Yes.”
“Did you take the book home?”
“Yes.”
“Did you write this story in the book?”
“Yes.” Why is she asking me these questions?
“Why did you write the story in the book?” She’s gone mad. Does she not remember the assignment she gave us? “Check out a book from the library and write a story about it.” I explained that I took great pains to find a wordless book so I could write a story.
“Am I in trouble?” Sensing my fear, she smiled. “No, this is a delightful story, but next time draft your story on your own paper. Whoops. My parents are going to kill me.
Obviously, they didn’t, or I wouldn’t be telling this story. Years later, that book was given to me, and this treasure continues to be in my care.
A Dream That Waited
For decades, events—both tragic and happy, necessary and not so much—formed a barrier between me and the dream of becoming an author. So long that I thought that ship had sailed.
Two years ago, my husband and I moved to the coast, and I committed to authoring a book for the Lord.
Within weeks, He worked my steps into place like a puzzle, connecting me with the leader of Word Weavers, Coastal Carolinas chapter. I hadn’t recognized that a writing group and critiques were essential but felt nudged to join.
That is where I met a woman, now a dear friend, who, in her professional life, edited pieces for publication and now manages her blog, Living Seasons Ministry. She published my first guest writer piece.
God Opened Every Door
After that, God led me to a conference I was bent on not attending. The president of Coastal Carolinas, also a dear friend, convinced me to flip the switch from “I’m not going” to “I can’t wait to go.”
At the conference, my work was selected for publication in a compilation, and I met a godly woman who founded a speakers conference, who later enhanced my presentation techniques. One night at dinner, I met the publisher who contracted my first children’s picture book.
At that time, I had no plans of writing children’s books. Now, I’m writing two separate series for different age groups.
Trusting God’s Timing
Today, from my office, I watch actual ships sail by—but not with my first-grade author’s dream that is now a reality. I don’t need to know what is essential. My Father provides it and leads me to it.
These written details warm my heart, and I’m reminded God can make anything happen. “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NASB1995
God worked in my life, and He can work for all of us. When He gives us a job to accomplish, He furnishes the resources. Unknown and invisible doors open wide.
We only need a willing heart to walk through them and confidence in His timing and ability to conquer the challenges that may come
Lisa M. Pritchard, children’s author and speaker, creates uplifting stories that inspire young readers to love reading, build confidence, and grow kindness through engaging characters and heartfelt, educational adventures.
