My 92 year-old mother-in-law passed away earlier this year. In the last years of her life, two of her greatest joys were attending church with us and reading Christian fiction. I saw Christian fiction have a major impact on her life. This Mother’s Day, in her honor, I will be giving away a Land of My Dreams Mother’s Day Gift Basket. It includes a copy of Land of My Dreams autographed to the person of your choice, a book mark, a book of Favourite Scottish Tea Recipes, a small teapot, a tin of tea from the Edinburgh Tea Company, some Scottish shortbread cookies, and some Scottish strawberry jam. Leave a comment and sign in to the Rafflecopter at the bottom to find out how to enter!
Christian fiction changes lives. I know because I have seen it happen. My mother-in-law, Oma, who died at age 92, proved to me that novels with a Christian message have a profound effect on the reader.
Oma had worked hard all of her life and when the time came that she was alone all day every day, she needed something to fill her time. English was her second language, and at 80 years old, the idea of joining the Bible study I lead was not something she felt comfortable doing. I discovered that she had a great love of reading, and began 
lending her Christian novels. She read voraciously. I could hardly keep her in books. After exhausting my library, we began giving her books for Christmas, her birthday, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. Any excuse was a good reason for a book. There were some that she read over and over again.
Oma and I had some great conversations when I would stop by to visit. She loved series because she got to know the characters and feel like a part of their lives. We talked about a lot of things, and because I have led a Bible study for many years, she asked me questions. I began to realize that some of her questions arose from the books she was reading. One day I realized that she was being discipled by Christian novels.
On her 90th birthday, we gave her a Kindle Fire. She was a little afraid of it at first, but she got the hang of it, and it became her constant companion. Oma had a lot of pain and many sleepless nights were spent reading in bed. She loved the Kindle because she didn’t have to turn on the light. Before long, she was reading 3or 4 books a week. It was her favorite pastime. Christian novels not only filled her time, they illustrated scriptural principles and provided examples of how to apply those principles in daily life.
When I my first novel was published, last year, she was one of my most avid encouragers. She read it three times. We would talk about the characters and she enjoyed hearing the reviews. She bought copies for every member of the family, and a few days before she died, we talked about the sequel I was in the process of writing. I miss her every day, and when my next book comes out, it will be sad not to share it with her.
We all know people who won’t go to a Bible study, but love to read. We can impact their lives by giving them books to read that show the characters meeting life’s challenges in scriptural ways. As authors and readers, we have a great tool for witnessing and discipleship that arrives in the guise of entertainment.
Give a book—change a life!
© Copyright, Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, April 6, 2015
About the author:
Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, set in Scotland and New Mexico released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. Her devotionals, poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
www.normagail.org
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
https://plus.google.com/b/102717101441594679714/+Normagail/about/p/pub
http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
Book links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170/ or
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864 ?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
32 Comments
I love your story! My mother and father were also avid readers and passed that love on to me. (Being Scottish, your Scottish recipe book sounds good)
Thanks for taking time to comment! The recipes are good!
I love your story too. My mother and I share a love of reading, and share Christian books every Christmas when she comes to stay with us.
That’s great, Sheila! I miss my mother-in-law a lot. She was an awesome lady! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Thank you! I’d split it with my book bestie.
Thanks for stopping by, Irma! Tea is better when it’s shared with friends!
Oh what a beautiful story about your MIL!! I never thought about Christian fiction that way… you are SO RIGHT. Thank you for that insight, and your precious MIL is a perfect example of that.
Thanks for taking time to comment! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
I, too, deepened my love for Christ through Christian fiction. That is all I read throughout high school. This sounds like the kind of book I would love to read and share with my friends!
Christian fiction is a very powerful tool. Thanks for taking time to comment.
How sweet. I would probably divide up the package and gift different friends and family on my mind…we are part-Scottish. What a neat idea. I love that this is to honor someone special in your life and that you shared that connection with us.
Thanks for commenting, Bonnie! Did you know my main character’s name is Bonny?
This is a sweet sweet story – I am so glad that Oma enjoyed her last days reading good books!
I miss her a lot, Clare! I’m so glad you liked it!
I would love to win and give this to my step-mom. I never call her that she is my mom. She has been wonderful to me and especially to my dad.
That’s sweet, Jan! I’m glad you have such a good relationship with her. Thanks for taking time to comment!
I think that my daughter in law would enjoy the books and the tea.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Felita! Good luck!
Thank you Norma for sharing your precious story about your mother. Thanks for gift opportunity — my mom would love it too.
Thanks, Rose! It was actually my mother-in-law. She was a sweetheart! Everyone loved her.
I love Christian Fiction and am always looking for new authors to broaden my horizons. I did not realize how many Christian Fiction writers there were out there. With all the “adult” fiction books being published these days, it’s hard to find a good romance without all that garbage in it. I look forward to reading this book. I have it on my to read list even if I don’t win. I will be reading this book. Thanks for your consideration.
Thanks so much, Debbie! It is nice to receive such encouragement! FYI, if you want to really help your favorite Christian authors, write them a brief review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. It really is a huge encouragement and helps their sales! Good luck in the drawing!
We love tea. I probably wouldn’t give this away but use it to have a tea party with my mom, nieces & cousins.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
My mother was also a reader of Christian fiction. It kept her quiet days full of interesting people and places as her golden years ran their course. Now my daughter is a fiction author and writes for Thomas Nelson. I’m amazed at how her books are impacting young people. I’m a tea drinker and love Scotland (so want to go back to Iona someday), so I’m looking forward to reading your book and passing it on to friends and family. Thanks for the heads up on your giveaway!
Thanks for commenting, Susan! I appreciate the encouragement!
So precious, and so encouraging. Inspiring as I go to finish book four. Sometimes a good reminder the we do have an impact is well needed. *hugs
Glad it encouraged you, CeeCee! God bless!
Love this! I know a couple of deserving moms who would love this, I’d just have to figure out which one gets it. Or maybe I should split it??
Thanks for stopping by!
Your mother-in-law sounds like a lady I would have enjoyed knowing. I share her love of reading. The impact of reading in people’s lives is astounding.
Thanks for commenting! God bless!