God’s Love Connects Us All {Guest Post}

Please welcome my guest, Michelle Medlock Adams, who is sharing a special story about how God’s love connects us all. Michelle is a best-selling, award-winning author of over 100 books with more than 4 million books sold. She’s won more than 90 industry awards including the Christian Market Book Awards, the Selah Book Awards, and the MoonBeam Children’s Book Awards. Previously on this blog, I reviewed one of her many delightful books, God is Bigger Than That! Next week, I’ll review her book, Love Connects Us All. Plus, she is kindly donating a copy to give away to one of you!

Michelle, thank you for your generosity. And, thank you for sharing your encouraging words with us.

God’s Love Connects Us All

Michelle Medlock Adams

I love sharing my children’s books at schools across the country. This past year, I had the privilege of reading my Christmas picture book, “Dachshund Through the Snow” to several elementary classes the week before holiday break.  There’s a part in my book where Crosby, the littlest dachshund in all of Diggityville, is bullied because of his tiny stature. I always stop after that scene and ask, “Have any of you ever been bullied?” Unfortunately, far too many hands go up after I ask that question, and this particular day was no different.

I had just finished reading the final page when the bell rang, and the students began lining up to return to their classrooms, except for one little girl. She hung back and inched her way toward my book table.

“Mrs. Adams, I was bullied… because I don’t have a mom,” the little girl said in a shaky voice.

I knelt down and hugged her.

“Honey, I’m so sorry that happened to you, but you know what? You are so loved by your dad, and you are also loved by God! That’s a lot of love, isn’t it?”

She nodded her head and gave me a little smile before rejoining her classmates.

As I waved goodbye to the students, I prayed that God would heal that little girl’s heart, and I thanked Him for allowing me to be there that day.

That encounter was confirmation that God had truly given me the words for my latest picture book, “Love Connects Us All”—a book featuring all different kinds of families with the overall message that each one of us is a part of God’s big, beautiful family.

Why I Wrote “Love Connects Us All”

I wrote this book because I wanted all children—like the little girl who came from a single-parent household—to find themselves in the pages of my book and celebrate their special families.

Two verses of “Love Connects Us All” says:

“I’m thankful for my family—

this one that God designed.

My family might be different,

but it’s my favorite kind.”

“And there is more to praise Him for—

I’m in God’s family, too!

I am a precious child of God.

And guess what? So are you!”

The book ends with a special prayer: “Thank You, God, for my family. It’s not like any other family—that’s what makes it so special! I am so grateful for the love we share. And I’m so thankful because I’m in Your family, God. Amen.”

Our Words Hold Great Power

Our words hold great power. They can encourage, empower, educate, and comfort. As Christians, we can make a difference, and just knowing that fact, should drive us to step outside our comfort zones and use our words to encourage others. 

I’m not saying that as Christians we are expected to have all the answers, but I am saying this—we know the One who does! He can help us help others and offer that word in due season. And it’s our privilege to hold the hands of those who are hurting and walk them through these difficult situations.

Because love really does connect us all.

 

Michelle Medlock Adams is a NY Times Best-selling ghostwriter and an award-winning author of more than 100 books including, Fly High, Our God is Bigger Than That! and Dachshund Through the Snow. Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two married daughters, six adorable grandchildren, two diva dachshunds, and two kitties. www.michellemedlockadams.com