Book giveaway: Just a Minute
Some of you may remember that a few years back I had the great privilege of traveling with Compassion to the Dominican Republic and then blogging about the work being done there for the poor by Compassion International. (You can read stories from my trip here.)
I’d been a fan of Compassion for years. We sponsored our first child in 1997, and haven’t had a minute since then where we weren’t sponsoring at least one or two kids. But getting to see the work that Compassion was doing in the Dominican Republic, through local pastors and other community members, gave me an even deeper confidence that children’s lives are being changed through our monthly giving to Compassion International.
Today I’m giving away a book written by Wess Stafford, the president of Compassion International. Just a Minute
shares stories of moments when people’s lives were changed by someone speaking encouragement to them as children. The book is a fascinating and easy read– it’ll get you thinking about similar moments in your own childhood. And it is certain to leave you looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of kids around you.
One such moment came for me during my senior year of high school. John and I were dating and already talking about marriage. Most adults in our lives were counseling caution. But our serious level-headed math teacher listened and understood, and told us about marrying his own wife at a young age. I doubt I’ll ever forget the encouragement he gave us from that conversation.
Do you have such a memory in your life? If so, will you please comment below and share it with us? As a mom, I find it so interesting to hear which words stick in kids’ minds. All commenters will be entered in a drawing taking place on Tuesday to win a copy of this book. For a second entry, ‘like’ this post on Facebook or share it on Twitter using the buttons at the bottom of the post, then come back and comment again telling me where you shared it.
Wess Stafford has asked that all the profits from this book be donated to Compassion International. If you feel so led, please go peek at Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child, One Moment … Can Last Forever
I’d love to read it!! Thanks!! : )
I commented on FB!
One such life-changing moment occurred for me when I was a teenager. It was not so much what was said to me, but what I witnessed. I often struggled with depression as a teen, and didn’t like to be alone. So, this particular morning, I had spent the night with a couple with three young children who worked together in teen youth ministry. I woke early (5am-ish) to use the bathroom, and noticed the light on in the rec room. The door was cracked, and I peered in to see what was going on. There sat the mother, in the middle of the room with her Bible open, and notebook and pen in hand. At that moment, I understood the source of her wisdom and strength. Now, as I have children of my own, I know what to do to become the person I want to be and the mom my kids need me to be. I too pour out my heart to God in the quiet moments of the morning, and allow Him to fill my mind with encouraging truth and prepare me for the day ahead.
Once when a n uncle came to visit he told me in a conversation “Krystal, do you know how to love God? {long pause in which I wondered what this 14yo was supposed to say} You love people. That’s it. Just love love people as much as you can.” I’m not sure if it was the way he said it, but it always stuck with me.
The lady who hired me as a teacher when I was done school. “You are a healthy person” she told me. It stayed with me.
I remember so clearly my 7th grade math teacher performing one small kindness for me. It was the first day of the year and some boys in my class knew I hated my full name, Katherine, so they began whispering it to me over and over. It was a small town & we’d all known each other since kindergarten, so they knew I wouldn’t say much in the middle of class and risk getting in trouble with a new teacher. But Mr. Moberg happened to walk near us and heard them. He stopped, and said firmly “you know, she doesn’t like that. Stop” And they did. I had that same teacher for some other classes and activities over the years, and have been out of school for many years. And still I remember that he took the time to be kind, in addition to being a good teacher.
My mother-in-law is a very blessed and prayerful woman so her advice is well received by all who ask. Once she gave me this treasured piece of advice when I asked about what she thought was the most important piece of maintaining a healthy relationship with adult children (this was when mine were becoming teenagers), she said, “NEVER EVER give advice to anyone unless they ask you for it. Stay out of their decision making and let them grow from the decisions they make.”
To this day, that is advice I have followed and all may children (significant others thrilled to learn there is at least one in-law that will never interfere with thier lives) appreciate that they have grown into wonderful adults with my prayer and support but with a strong measure of independence.
I always have trouble thinking of specific examples, but as a very shy, reserved, reasonably well-liked but a bit-socially-awkward and sometimes misunderstood child and teen, I have such grateful memories of adults who seemed to notice me, and understand me a bit, and appreciate my introversion and the qualities that might not be so easy to see on the surface. Things like being asked to help with activities that were a good fit for me, or receiving encouragement in areas of strength – without forcing or expecting me to fit a more extroverted mould…those things really helped me feel more comfortable and respected and accepted for my uniqueness.
When my grandpa asked me over and over when I was going to start taking piano lessons. When I did start taking piano it turned out to be one of my favorite things. I think that was a moment of God leading my heart to enjoy a thing that he knew would revive my heart and soul every day i pursued. Even now God leads through the lovingly expressed thoughts of my loved ones and I have learned to listen, at least somewhat, based on past experiences with God leading me through other’s wisdom.
You don’t have to enter me to win.
being your daughter and all but I thought i’d share 
That’s so sweet that you commented here Erika! How is your pregnancy going? Hope all is well with you
I so agree with you….words can easily change a child’s life. My grandma always spoke such blessings into my life and I can still hear her encouragement today. I also had a teacher who wrote a praise on the bottom of a paper I wrote one time. I’ll never forget what it said. He probably never thought it would have such an impact when he wrote it.
I was an older child, about to graduate from college. One of my professors took me aside and suggested that I apply to grad school. I hadn’t really considered it, but she offered to write me a letter of recommendation. It changed my life.
When I was in college, there was a teacher who was regarded as one of the toughest teachers at the University. She was my advisor, and encouraged me even though I had a baby and most of my other professors didn’t think I would make it through a tough curriculum with an infant. She told me about bringing her own two young children to grad school with her. Thanks to her encouragement, I finished my chemistry track without taking any time off. Because she was known to be so tough, and took the time to tell me I was smart and could do it, she inspired me to work hard and finish on time. I am forever grateful to her for her inspiration. Thank you for this opportunity!
I was blessed to have a mom who spoke truth into my life on a regular basis. I am praying that I can be that kind of mom.
When I was in high school, I had a guidance counselor that took me aside and told me that I was going to college. Although, I had a 4.0 GPA, no one in my family had ever completed college. So, in planning my future I had never even considered college — I am so that he talked to me about it and even more glad I got to go to college. It truly changed my life.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
When I was younger, I was encouraged to seek the truth through my aunt and my grandma. It was not until I was in college and really searching what having a relationship with Christ was all about, did I finally come to know Him and be born again. My grandma always prayed for me and set such a Christ-like example in my life. My aunt sent me many materials via mail while I was in college and encouraged me to grow and seek more knowledge of God’s word. Today I stand as a Christian for almost 24 yrs and am so grateful for their influence and for my ability now to home school my own children and raise them up to serve Him! I posted on FB too! Thanks so much!
When I was 14, a Sunday school teacher pointed out that no one can make me feel anything that I don’t want to feel. No one else has the power to make me angry, and I shouldn’t give that power away. I really respected that teacher because he had treated our class of unruly teenagers like our opinions really mattered, and things that were important to us became important to him. His words made a powerful impact on me at an impressionable time in my life. A lot of my actions and reactions over the next several years were influenced by that advice.
sounds like a really good book to read!
Sounds wonderful
When I was in middle school, in order to help us learn about the government and presidential elections, my entire grade was assigned roles in the political process. I was selected to represent one of the presidential candidates, and I had to learn this person’s stance on the major issues well enough to represent his viewpoints in a debate. After the debate, one of my teachers complimented me on my performance, and even remarked that she’d vote for me if I were ever to run for president. While I have no political aspirations, her affirmation of my ability to lead others and succeed in my endeavors motivated me to pursue leadership roles in clubs in high school and to take challenging math and science courses in college. Her expressed praise helped me feel confident that I was a intelligent, strong woman.
When I was six my parents separated. My Mom took us home to her parents house while she hunted a job. We attended the little country church where she was raised while we were there. I have very few memories of the Sunday school class itself, but when we moved away the Sunday school teacher wrote postcards to me. Her prayers for my life and my struggles written down to encourage me on the back of a postcard. These continued off and on for years, even up to this last year when she wrote to console me in the death of my Mother. Her words were an encouragement beyond just the prayers printed on the cards, they were a tangible reminder over the years that God had not forgotten me, that He loved me and that I could follow Him. Where would I be without her prayers?
When I was a freshman in college, a professor asked me to stay after class so he could tell me that I was a good writer. “You weave words into gold,” he said. That has stayed with me and gives me courage to pursue my writing even when I feel like just a washed-up housewife.
My grandparents told me all the time that they prayed for me, and I know it was true. They were faithful prayer warriors for their family and friends, and it blessed me to know they loved me enough to pray for me.
I remember when I went to a new doctor my senior year of high school for a physical and she asked me what my plans were for the future. She then proceeded to tell me that having a career and kids was quite difficult to do and if she was able to do it over again she wouldn’t have tried to do both, at least while her kids were little.
[...] arrival last week made me forget all about my last book giveaway. The winner of the book Just a Minute is commenter #5, Sophie. The winner of my most recent Saturday giveaway Spot It is commenter #34 [...]