Shelley Singh

Stones adorn the nook and crannies of this world, adding diversity to the existing beauty of flora and fauna.

If you take a walk or hike, you will see stones adorning the rugged worn-out paths aching to be seen and held. All too often, they are overlooked by passersby.

So often, familiarity can lead to a lack of appreciation for what is right in front of our eyes.

Some stones, such as gemstones sparkle and glisten with glorious reflections and are often highly valued for their exquisiteness.

Other stones look plain and may be useful for landscaping buildings and homes. Even these are visually appealing when used strategically in patterns.

Sometimes, stones such as those worn on rings or collected while on vacation hold sentimental value.

Regardless of the outward appearance of stones, plain, smooth, jagged, or full of brilliant luster, each one carries intrinsic value as God’s creation.

The year 2020 began like every year, promise ringing far and wide. There was no indication of the messy prolonged middle to come.

The Israelites also faced a prolonged plot twist in their story, remaining lost in the wilderness forty years longer than anticipated. With no GPS to guide them, their hope was obedience and the past reliance on God’s faithfulness in bringing deliverance.

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites placed “stones of remembrance” alongside the Jordan River. These stones were to serve as glaring reminders of God’s providential nature. Click To Tweet

You may not have natural stones emerge from this time in quarantine, but you may have many testimonies and encounters with God that will remain your stones of remembrance.

What areas in your life have you found God to be faithful during this pandemic? 

Perhaps, you have had strangers become friends or rekindled empty relationships. Maybe, loved ones have showered you with lighthearted banter to lift your spirits.

May you not only have these stones engraved on your heart but document them as well to serve as a living legacy of the assured confidence in the goodness of the Father. #stonesofremembrance Click To Tweet

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.- (Psalm 27:13, 14)

The world has never seemed as collectively still as it does right now.

The world holds many stories of market crashes, terrorism, and outbreaks. Each period is fashioned with its language, brimming with emotions and human experience.

Sometimes, being still can help one listen more intently.

Information is not the only goal in listening but rather, wisdom.

Stories carry wisdom, wisdom that many others need to flourish, gained from an alternative perspective.

During this global pandemic, the economy has fluctuated with job losses and economic upheavals, changing the landscape for all of  2020  and perhaps forever.

The rubric of our world has changed externally and internally, potentially forever. While many are struggling mentally and emotionally, we all have voices that carry energy.

Your voice can release grace and truth to hungry hearts and empty souls.

Paul, the apostle, was familiar with a voice he heard on the road to Damascus. The voice, accompanied by light, transformed his life forever. Although he had a life-changing experience, he still battled blindness and darkness for three days. -Acts 9:3-9. There are seasons where  darkness can follow illumination but it imperative to remember, the darkness will not last.

There is hope on the other side for brighter reality. One that needs our voice to usher in the brilliance of hope.

We, too, can use our voices to spark an illuminating revelation for others. Click To Tweet

Human connection is oxygen for our souls, yet many of us have fallen prey to overlooking a loved one’s needs or grappling with balancing work-life dynamics.

The longer we live through this period of significant social isolation, the more apparent is the adverse effects of a lack of healthy human connection.

Thankfully, technology can be put to use to keep us connected and emotionally balanced.

  Now is the chance to extend a kind word, call a neighbor, or seek out elderly relatives to lighten a load of loneliness with the power of uplifting words.  #quarantinediaries. Click To Tweet

This is an opportune time to remind people of their inherent value and cultivate the strength of a connection.

These moments and memories will ultimately make up your quarantine diary. It is a piece of your legacy that can potentially impact generations to come.

What do you hope to read when your future self looks back at your quarantine diary in years to come?  

Bread of Angels is an utterly delightful read. Psalm 78 is the foundation of the title and theme of this novel.

“Yet He commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven, and He rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of angels.” -Psalm 78:23-25

This verse highlights how not only humans but Angels as well, require trust in and provision from God.

The premise is that hunger is not satiated by food, but we, like the Angels, need to feed on trusting God for our daily physical provision and spiritual growth. #breadofangels #tessaafshar. Click To Tweet

Bread of Angels is based upon chapter 16 of the book of Acts and chronicles the story of Lydia, the seller of purple cloth. She was the first convert in Europe and a female business owner, a rare combination historically.

The novel brings Lydia to life Lydia giving her quirks and passions become quickly evident through this enchanting tale.

Lydia faces upheaval from her hometown as she faces the pain of betrayal, yet she finds a loyal friend despite the pain. She is left to flee Thyratira with her basic belongings and the arsenal of her Father’s secret dye.  Rebekah, a single Jewess, discovers a place in Lydia’s heart as they connect as kindred companions. Rebekah begins to plant the seeds of faith into Lydia’s cracked soul.

Lydia’s character is endearing and easy to relate to; she experiences a host of emotions as she attempts to navigate unexpected change. The seeds planted by Rebekah began to take root, and Lydia’s growing faith enables her to overcome the challenges that come her way through reliance on Christ.

I had a hard time putting this novel down. I felt like I was apart of the story traveling from Thyatira to the northern city of Phillipi along with Lydia.

Tessa Afshar narrates this tale of biblical fiction with literary prowess weaving Scripture into the vivid imagery of the narrative. #breadofangels #tessaafshar  @Tessaafshar @ShelleySinghAuD. Click To Tweet

I found myself savoring the flavor of her words, inhaling the content of engaging banter colored with well researched biblical gems.

I also truly enjoyed delving into Lydia’s time with Paul. Reading about Paul makes me want to read more about his accounts in the new testament scriptures and glean from the depth of his wisdom.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, I do feel like the ending was slightly abrupt, and I would have liked to hear more about the unexpected budding romance that Lydia found, narrated in greater detail.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“The way of Jesus worked in the opposite direction. It gave without asking for impossible assurances. It gave the way Jesus had, loving to death, knowing he might not be loved back.”

“Dare to try, knowing that you will make mistakes. You will fall short again and again, because there is no effort without error. In the end, you will either know the triumph of high achievement, or if you fail, you will fail while daring greatly.”

“I sometimes fancy that the completed work of the cross casts its shadow on other parts of my life too. Because Christ has finished the most crucial work on earth and in heaven, something of that completion covers all the unfinished parts of my life. What remains undone in me, through me, finds a resting place in Jesus’ finished work.”

As you pick up this novel,  you will find yourself immersed in the daily reality in which the book of Acts took place. You will experience the beauty of an ancient city your senses in an enthralling fictional voyage. I found this novel refreshing, and I think you will, too, by how the power of deep reliance on God can turn even our most deep-rooted fears into victory beyond imagination.

You can learn more about Tessa Afshar’s novels at her website, www.tessaafshar.com.

If you enjoyed this review, you might enjoy my review of her new novel, Daughter of Rome, here.

To purchase:

God’s grace is the source of comfort. Comfort is a need we can all relate to, particularly at this time in the whirlwind of an unexpected global pandemic.

Comfort is a healer, and as we make our hearts intentionally receptive, comfort will release the fragrance of peace.

Once we receive comfort, we can invite others into the comforting arms of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we are comforted by God. – 2 Cor 1:3-5

God’s comfort is rooted in the stability of His love for each one of us.

There is no rock like our God- 1 Samuel 2:2

Comfort is the key to developing resilience in uncertain seasons. #covid19 #comfort. Click To Tweet

Comfort will also open to the door of our hearts to show compassion on others as they deal with their struggles and ways of coping.

The world may be shaking with uncertainty, but our security and strength come from courageously entrusting our futures in the hands of a loving Father.

Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gift of comfort.  May Your comfort bring compassion and resilience to our hearts as we choose to keep our focus on You. Amen 

Esther was not born into royalty, yet favor catapulted her to a place of regal influence. Thankfully, Esther had the support of Mordecai who trusted the Lord and also believed in Esther’s ability to save the Jews.

Courage set Esther uniquely apart despite her own inhibitions.

The fulfillment of a call takes preparation including silent seasons. Esther remained faithful to trust God and as a result, she saw the faithfulness of God.

Her preparation lasted for a year including the use of myrrh, which is used to heal wounds. This implies wholeness is a deep desire of the Lord for the church.

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)

Interestingly, Vashti was banished because of disobedience. A royal decree was made to give her royal position to someone else, someone else who would steward her position better than her. She is banished and her name is not mentioned again nor does she return to the palace.

Spiritually, we are royal stewards of gifts and talents. We are also assigned callings but our calling is contingent upon our response, submission and willingness to develop into maturity so we can serve people the way our Father desires.

In the case we disobey and do not respond, the Lord will still ensure His desires will reach fruition.

Obedience takes courage and yields much fruit. The obedience of Mordecai and Esther brought a cascade of redemption.

Often, it is not about doing things perfectly but responding courageously.

When we respond courageous to God, a sacred wholehearted yes with one individual can bring much change creating a legacy of love that will impact generations to come.

So a fundamental distinction between Vashti and Esther remains their response.

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? -Esther 4:14

Their response to the King determined their connection with the King and ultimately, their destiny.

A sign of spiritual maturity is how we respond.  May we respond courageously like Esther to fulfill the call of God on our lives for obedience brings redemption. Click To Tweet