The Children Are Tender

I have neglected this blog for the past month as I have been busy with final edits for my new book, which has the current working title The Children Are Tender. 

My first book was written as I cried out to the Lord for help during the time I was transitioning into the role of caregiver, and while those prayers and the Lord's gracious answers were such a blessing for me and hopefully for others, it was not an easy book to write.  By contrast, writing the fictionalized account of my first year of teaching was just plain fun.  I'd witnessed many shocking, heart-rending, and amusing events during my years of teaching, and writing about some of these (changing names and details) allowed me to give full vent to my love of storytelling.  At the same time I was able to share the passion I shared with my colleagues for helping children.  No, helping is too mild a term; we felt convicted that our mission was to save kids, to save them from that soul-withering sense of self-condemnation that is almost inevitable when children struggle academically.  My special joy was in teaching children to read. You can get a sneak preview of the new book here: lindaborn.blogspot.com.   

It has come strongly to my awareness that since little children and the elderly do not have a lucid voice with which to state their own needs, we as caregivers must bear with honor the precious burden of speaking for them. We do this when we identify with Christ's love for those who can't help themselves. I'm thinking tonight of what a blessed privilege I have had to write on behalf of those who are weak.  

You can like the new book's Facebook page, or follow on Twitter, and at Pinterest. The Children Are Tender will go to press sometime after Christmas, and I'll put up a link here when it becomes available.  

"And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die" Genesis 33:13, KJV. 

Lead character  first year teacher Lydia Birn's paraphrase: 
The children are tenderhearted and easily hurt. I will lead them gently, at their own pace.