Our Privilege

To be able to write for children is indeed a privilege. As I told my own children when they reached that “certain age” when they expected an increase in their current privileges, responsibility comes with privilege. We have a responsibility to the children we write for, and beyond that, a greater responsibility to God, that we don’t treat lightly His gift of our writing. Psalm 145, verse 4 tells us: “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”

Even if we never mention God’s name in our stories we will somehow be telling about His works through setting descriptions or character personalities. We have to be careful not to let the world’s influence slip in and infect the purity of our words. And we’ll be tempted at times, because of the popularity of fantasy and gross or edgy books.  We might find success at those levels, but not what we could be proud of.

May we always seek to please God, and perform the privilege of His gift with joy.

-contributed by Shirley Shibley