None Of This Happens Without God

On March 14, my debut picture book I Made the Earth released and what a whirlwind it’s been! My launch party was a total blast. I’ve also been blessed by so many friends and family sending me pictures of their kids reading my book. That’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. I’m about to start school visits this week and I can’t wait to see kids interact with my book in person!

On another note, I’ve been doing a Bible-in-a-year reading plan. Let me tell you how amazing God is. On the exact day of my book release, I read a passage that included Deuteronomy 8:11-14. Check it out:

“Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

God (through Moses) is basically saying, In every step of this process, I’ve been there leading you and providing for you. I sent plagues to free you from Egypt. I parted the sea. I gave you a leader in Moses. I fed you every single day in the dessert. I even gave you extra before Sabbath days so you didn’t have to gather it on your day of rest. I gave you the law. I gave you everything you need to survive the desert. I brought you to the Promised Land. But there will be a time when you get there. You’ll look at your excess food, your beautiful home, your flocks and cattle, your gold, and your descendants and you’ll be tempted to think you did this -that all these blessings are things you earned or created. Don’t allow yourself to believe that lie! You have these blessings because I, in my goodness and my love, chose to give them to you. I’m the reason you’re still here and when you see all these things, you should bow down and worship me and then you should tell others how I’ve blessed you.

This is the passage I read on the day my book was in the hands of children (other than mine) for the first time. How cool is that? God was reminding me of his faithfulness in my writing journey. So, it’s important to make this clear: I wrote a book that people are talking about. It turned out great and I believe it will make a difference (even though it’s for children) because it causes people who love God to think about how we’re taking care of creation. But, like the Israelites entering the Promised Land, I must remember none of this happens without a good and loving God choosing to bless it. And like the Israelites, He’s been with me every step of the way. He gave me a passion to write. He ordained relationships with other writers and professionals in the business. He used those people to teach and mentor me. He put it in my heart to write a Christian Earth Day book. He gave me the words. He led me to show the book to the right people an urged them to take a chance on it. (I know these people and they don’t make big decisions without prayer.) He then provided an illustrator who created delightful characters to help tell the story. Then, he surrounded me with a wonderful support system who bought the book and shared it with others.

I never want to be like the Israelites who patted themselves on the back for the things God did. And if you ever see me acting that way, I expect you to call me out on it.

God is so good and He wants to bless you with a wonderful adventure too. All you have to do is be obedient to what He’s calling you. He loves you and wants to use you to do amazing things in His name. I can't tell you how much joy it brings to do just that.

Many of you have stories like mine. Would you do something for me? Will you send me an email at shannoncook1@mac.com and share them with me? I’d love to hear them and with your permission, write about them. Our reaction to God’s provision should always be worship and share it with others. He is faithful and He is good!

Blessings,

Shannon