Inspired by Psalm 46, this true story based on the life of author-illustrator Jan Spivey Gilchrist’s brother, Junior, is a celebration of how the Holy Spirit makes himself known to children and all people.
Young Junior lives with his father—a preacher—and his mother and four sisters. At a young age, “a voice as soft as a honey bee’s flutter spoke to him. The voice knew his heart, calmed his spirit, and made him strong every day and everywhere.”
Junior doesn’t fit in with his sisters and the other children in the neighborhood; he often erupts in anger and gets into trouble. His sisters tell him he’s made of “snakes and snails.” Still, the voice whispers, “Be still.” At other times, Junior becomes proud because his father teaches him to recite Scripture. He forgets to listen to the voice because he thinks he doesn’t need to anymore.
One day during a thunderstorm, Junior becomes angry and hides. His family and neighbors search for him. When he’s finally found after nightfall, his father asks where he was. Junior, peaceful and unafraid, says, “I was with God.”
Simply written and profoundly spiritual, this charmingly illustrated picture book will encourage children to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and be still.
(Our Daily Bread Publishing)
About the Author
Sonya VanderVeen Feddema is a freelance writer and a member of Covenant CRC in St. Catharines, Ontario.