The Motivation behind The Spider and the Butterfly

It’s a sunny Saturday as I write this and guess what we are doing…we’re having a braai! In my last blog I explained that in South Africa we call a barbeque a braai. As I sit writing, the smell of freshly lit wood smoke accompanied by the crackle of fire is drifting through my home, and it makes me feel like I’m on holiday!

As mentioned in my previous blog, I want to share what motivated me to write a children’s Christian story.  Some of my friends who aren’t Christian asked me why I wanted to write a Christian story, especially in this secular world we live in today. “Surely, you won’t sell nearly as many books,” and, “Its tough enough to get into the secular market, let alone writing for a Christian market.” Maybe this is true, but I think it is a matter of perspective, and yes, absolutely a matter of faith. If you have a dream that you believe in, you have to follow it no matter what others say. If you believe you can make a difference in this world, go for it. Be your own person, follow your own path and you may surprise yourself and others along the way.

It is one thing to have a grand idea or dream, but quite another to take action and follow through to make it happen. Trust me, I know all about it. If you really want to make your dreams come true in this life, you need to believe in yourself and you need MOTIVATION.

I have many passions, but my foremost passion is my earnest love and respect for God.  No matter how far I have wondered off course, I have always carried in my heart a deep desire to be a writer and messenger for Jesus.If you have a gift and are not using it, God will use His will and find a way to bring your gifts to the light. You just have to listen and be open to the opportunities that come your way. I have to thank my pastor from Oasis Church in Port Elizabeth, Kurt Sutton, who initially planted the seed in my heart to start writing in 2007.

Although I have been writing for some time, The Spider and The Butterfly is the first book I have submitted for publication. The key is never to give up on your dreams and to keep pushing on.This burning desire to write for God and share the message of Jesus with the world is the ultimate driving force behind the many mountains I have conquered, and the very reason I wanted The Spider and The Butterfly to be a Christian story.

I also absolutely love children.Children are exceptionally precious and extremely close to my heart.  I am very protective of children and have always believed a child who has a close relationship with Jesus holds the greatest treasure life can offer. In Luke 18:17 Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of God you must be like a little child, and it makes perfect sense to me because children are so innocent, so real, and so very honest.

In 2013 I was devastated to discover I am not able to bear children. In trusting God to prevent my life from spiraling down into depression, I decided I would act as a mother to other children, teaching them Godly values through meaningful and memorable stories.And so, The Spider and The Butterfly was born, motivated by my passion for Jesus and my love for children.

My ultimate goal is to fulfill God’s purpose for my life, share His love with whoever will listen, and make a difference to as many lives as possible.

In my next blog I will be sharing the Facts behinds the character names.”

Take care, and may God bless you endlessly.