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I've blogged before about interesting feedback we receive in the mail and by e-mail, and now I thought I'd start a regular schedule of posting it. So from now on, you can look forward to Feedback Fridays!Today's feedback came from a 28-year-old woman in prison. Her letter says, "I made some bad choices when I was younger and am paying for them now. I was saved and baptized in December 2008...since then I have walked every day with God. I have read one of the three Heartsong books that I found in the jail library.... If it hadn't been for my Bible and books like these I would have gone crazy being away from my husband and our children." She goes on to give her home address so that we can send her information about becoming a Heartsong member when she is released soon! She ends her letter with a request that we pray for her and the other ladies she is with. "Please put me and all the ladies in here in your thoughts and prayers. There are several of the girls here that are younger than I am and have more serious charges. I have talked to them all, trying to win souls to the Lord, but they refuse to hear it."
What a great reminder that those in prison need our prayer. And how wonderful to know that our books helped change this young woman's life, so much so that she's even trying to win others to the Lord.
I don't know about you, but I sure find mail like this encouraging. I never get tired of being reminded that the books we produce at Barbour/Heartsong do truly help change people's lives. They are not just meaningless stories, they help spread the word of God and the Truth of Jesus, so that people can live with purpose and hope.
11 comments:
Thank you, JoAnne for sharing this. Reminders like this are so encouraging...and sobering at the same time. We, as authors, editors, etc. of Christian books have such a wonderful responsibility that should never be taken lightly. When I think about it, I always stand in amazement that God chooses to use us to spread His most important message--Jesus!
And this is why we write inspirational fiction! Praise God!
This post made me teary-eyed. Exactly why I started writing. It's wonderful to know our books touch souls.
Wow, that letter was so moving, JoAnne. It really makes your mission as a CHRISTIAN publishing house fulfill its' goals as a 'mission'.
Praise God and thanks for sharing.
Pepper
www.pepperbasham.wordpress.com
JoAnne:
I think this is a wonderful idea for a regular blog item. Keep the feedback coming!
Helen
What a great reminder that inspirational fiction touches the lives of real people who have real spritual needs. Great idea for a regular feature!
What a touching letter that lady shared, JoAnne...and how awesome to know that Christian fiction even touches lives in prison. Thanks for sharing this, and Feedback Fridays sounds like a great idea! Blessings, Patti Jo
This is so encouraging. Thanks for sharing this feedback from a reader. I will pray for her today.
What an encouragement this Monday morning. (I'm a little late. :) )
This is a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do, even if a lot of the world doesn't 'get it.'
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this, JoAnne. It's good to hear about all the different ways He uses our work.
One of the first fan letters I got on a Heartsong Presents was from a male prisoner who said he loved my heroine. I love entertaining Christian readers, but it's also good to know we can have some impact on anyone who reads our stories.
Thank you, JoAnne. What a sweet reminder of the ripples our words can leave. Got me thinking...there's a girl's prison not far from where I live. I've thought about donating books but just haven't gotten around to it.
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