By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
After a yearlong journey, I have some exciting news to share! But before I tell you the news, I want to first share the backstory. Why? Because it’s incredible, and it reveals something significant. God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
I love how the LORD uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things and calls us to go on grand adventures with Him. One of my more recent adventures with God began in early spring, 2024 when I received a phone call from my friend Walda. After some pleasantries and catching up, she began sharing how she believed God was calling her to expand a ministry she began at her church to include children. She thought the perfect way to do that was to write a children’s book.
Walda knew that I had written and published several books myself, so she hoped I could give her some guidance. She told me that although she had an idea for the book, she needed someone else to help her write it. She wasn’t a writer. I immediately thought of two people who had experience writing children’s books, but after contacting them, neither were available to help.
Have you ever had a dream God was calling you towards, but instead of moving forward, you kept running into dead ends? It can be frustrating and disheartening. But Walda didn’t give up. Instead, she just kept praying that God would send someone. I prayed too, knowing, if God was calling her to this project, He would provide everything needed, including the author to write it.
A few months later, she and I met for lunch. I was eager to hear an update about the book. Walda explained that nothing had moved forward yet, and she was still praying for someone to help write it. I assured her God would provide everything she needed in His perfect timing.
We spent the remainder of our lunch together catching up. At one point, she asked how my husband Gerry was doing. Oh my, that was a loaded question. Gerry had been battling a severe case of Shingles, as well as some other health issues, and had been suffering tremendously. I asked if she would pray for him.
Walda replied, “I can do better than that!” She reached into her purse and pulled out a colorful stuffed bear that had a heart-shaped pocket with a card inside. She told me to give the bear to Gerry and let him know the Prayer Bear Ministry at her church (with more than 160 prayer warriors) would be praying for him. I immediately teared up, feeling tremendous love and compassion from my friend. I suddenly had context for the power of this ministry. I also realized it was the perfect ministry to introduce to children because of the little stuffed bear.
When I got home and gave the bear to my husband, he teared up too. I thought to myself, “This ministry is powerful, and such a beautiful picture of God’s love.” I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Right then I prayed, Lord, is there something more that you want me to do to help my friend get her children’s book published?
At that very moment, the Lord triggered a memory. It was a conversation with my friend Tanya long before Walda told me about the children’s book. She and her husband were visiting us at our house, and while we were playing cards, out of the blue, Tanya said, “Rae Lynn, God told me you’re supposed to write a children’s book.”
This wasn’t the first time God had given Tanya a prophetic word, but I was completely caught off guard. I shrugged her off saying something like, “I don’t know. Writing a children’s book isn’t really my thing. I write books for adults.” (I bet you can see where this is going.)
Ding, ding, ding! Suddenly, bells were going off in my head. I prayed, Lord, are you asking me to help Walda write this children’s book?
Immediately, God spoke to my spirit. Rae Lynn, how many hints do you need? I’ve been calling you to help Walda write this children’s book from the beginning.
I was slow to catch on to God’s nudging in the beginning, but now I couldn’t deny it. I immediately called Walda and shared my revelation. I said, “Walda, I believe God is asking me to help you write this book.” She agreed and gratefully accepted the offer.
The next afternoon I went up to my office and sat down at the computer. I began typing, and a few hours later, the first draft was complete. I was blown away.
Friends, when God calls us to do something we don’t feel confident or equipped to do, we simply need to say yes. God will do the rest. God walked us through every step of the way.
Today, I am excited to share that The Adventures of Prayer Bear is now published and available. This beautiful story highlights the importance of showing compassion to one another through the giving and receiving of a colorful stuffed bear, a bear which represents God’s love and answered prayer. It is for children ages 3 and up.
And now you know the story behind the story. And if you are curious to read the actual story, the children’s book, I encourage you to get a copy of The Adventures of Prayer Bear for the children you love. CLICK HERE to order. (Proceeds go directly to support the Prayer Bear Ministry.)
“Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” (Luke 18:16).
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
