Each of us has a gift. It may be something you have always known about yourself, or maybe others have told you: “Cooking is your gift! . . .You were made to play that guitar. . .Your pole vault is poetry in motion. . . .” Perhaps you haven’t discovered it yet. But sometime, some day, more than one person will tell you and it may be very small in your eyes, a mere hummingbird in a world of ospreys and ostriches. But the fact that you are a compassionate listener or a dutiful assistant to others around you, serving or cleaning or helping them bathe and dress, qualifies you as a gift-giver, as you offer yourself. Among us, we have been given millions of gifts, and we each only have to find out our own, then give it earnestly. Ever watch the energy and determination of that beautiful bug-sized hummingbird?!
I’m offering you my gift this month. A first published book. I claim no greatness in this, no bragging rights that it is extraordinary. I bring it with joy, hope, and a bit of anxiety. Who doesn’t worry a little that their gift will not be received well? But, pushing doubt and fear aside, it is time.
This small book contains years of collected poetry evolved from a piece scribbled here, an old draft in a journal there, a contest piece or two. It is a basketful of thoughts on love, faith, family, loss and journeys through easy breezes and shattering storms. Some verses are autobiographical, some are the children of imagination. I have prayed over this work and sought the Lord’s guidance, because, actually, I try to do that for every aspect of my life. No candidate for sainthood in this book. I’m certain that Jesus came to save the broken, of which I most certainly am one.
You probably have heard the phrase, “It takes a village, to raise a child.” We shall not go into political debate at this time, my friends. I use that expression to bring a little-known fact to your attention, if you are not in the publishing world. Did you know it takes a team to launch a book? Ships sail forth into the deep seas with the shattering of a good bottle of champagne over the bow. Today’s books (especially if you are a new, untried skiff, so to speak) need a cheering, supportive team—aptly called a “launch team”, bottled drinks not required. Team members need only to have an interest and energy to let friends and contacts know about the book’s debut.
This is no joke. In publishing, it is serious business. Professors in academia are told “publish or perish,” while we, the dreamy-eyed novices, are told, if you try putting a book out on Amazon, without friends helping you out of the moorings, you may be—well- sunk!
So here it is. I come to you humbly. In about two to three weeks, Soft Trades, Hard Blows will be on the market. I pray that it will touch someone out there, because human connection is, for most of us, a craving. If you would like to be a crew member on my launch team, please let me know on my new Facebook author page: Bronwyn Best Jardin @bronwynbard; or email me, bjardin@ctsr.com, with your contact information. Some of you who are personal friends or fellow writers may get a note from me soon, asking if you’d like to help. Your life may be overflowing with other things, and I promise I’ll understand if you say, “No.”
So, I shall be proofing my long-awaited book this week. If you would like to hear a preview of my poetry, I’m honored to be visiting with Susan Mulder at Poetkind podcast, Episode 13, on Tuesday, Sept. 25. https://iTunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poet-kind-podcast (also on other podcast platforms by searching for Poetkind.)
I believe this is what I was meant to do with the days I have left on this earth. Skilled in cooking or playing guitar? Not so sure. Definitely not gifted at pole vaulting!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.
Colossians 3:23
