One Fabulous Surprise From the Youngest Cub - Jennifer D. Sizemore

 Collectively, I refer to them as "My Pastorate."  Individually, they are the Rev. David Sizemore, and his wife, Vickie.  Personally, I call them The Bear & Lady Sizemore.  They've been more than pastors and counselors since I was a teenager.  They are confidantes and part of my family that is not defined by human DNA, but definitely defined by Blood (of the baptism and new creature sort).

Jennifer, Lady Sizemore and The Bear

The places, faces and ages have changed since I was a part of the youth group at the church where their eldest (Pastor Joseph Richard Sizemore) now stands behind his dad's former pulpit.  I like that.  I like it that Joe-Boy's back home, and very happy for the young people in his care, along with that of his wife Jamie.  It is always my hope for the congregation to know how blessed they are to have them.  That's true.  God could have put them anywhere He wanted. 

After Joe comes  Rev. Joshua Derek Sizemore, whom to me is always and forever Cos.   Obviously, Joe-Boy had trouble with his "J's" when Cos came along, and it stuck with the rest of us.  Cos works behind the pulpit like Joe, although not in a pastor's position.  He's also a large part of the music ministry at the church where he and his wife Sarah attend.  The two brothers have a great deal in common, but are as different as night and day.  Joe's personality strikes me as the more reserved Sizemore side of the family, and Cos is a Cagle (his mother's side) and gregarious.  That isn't to say Joe doesn't have a good sense of humor.  It's only to say that Cos is a bit more exuberant and demonstrative with his.  Joe's is witty and a bit more dry.  Either way - in my perception, they're both nearly as perfect of people as God ever made.  They've given me many reasons to smile and be proud of them over the years through both personal interaction and in some truly wonderful memories.

The Bear & Lady Sizemore
Joe, Cos & Jen, along with the larger part of their BLA fan club
(Jay and David Mason
Ronda McGee Penrod and Angelia Phillips)

After the boys came Jennifer Deneal, the youngest of the three cubs and the only girl.  Jen is really the focus of this weblog.  A good writer could put an entire novel together based on Jen alone.  You see, Jen's had some challenges to face.  However, for as much as she's been challenged, baby-girl is also determined and blessed with a faith that I'm convinced could move the proverbial mountain.  She also has a very in-tune spiritual perception as well as a genuinely loving and empathetic heart to launch the sincerest of prayers.

The challenge in particular that brought on this weblog was a frustrating one.  It was Jen's inability to read.  A moment expressing the way it affected her, and those who love her.  In regards to that inability, several years ago, Lady Sizemore related a story to me about Jen.

The Sizemores currently reside in Florida.  But, when the cubs were younger, they lived for several years Cincinnati, Ohio.  There, during Jen's freshman year in high school, her mother passeed by her open bedroom door one memorable evening.

Lady Sizemore found Jen lying quietly across her bed, her closed bible in front of her.  She was gently rubbing the cover with her hand, while tears traced down her cheeks.  Her mother was of course concerned and inquired as to what was wrong.

Jen's answer was, "Oh mom - I just really wanna be able to read my bible."

Lady Sizmore said the response, and the cause of it, broke her heart.  Later, she told her husband of the discussion privately in their living room.  Lady Sizemore said to him, "I wish all of those people who leave their bibles lying on counter tops or on nightstands, or in bookshelves, unopened and collecting dust, would have to stand in our daughter's doorway right now."

I've known Jen since she was born, and when Lady Sizemore related the incident, it broke my heart too, as well as reminding me that I'd been one of those ones often negligent in exactly what she was speaking of.  The Bear and Lady Sizemore are both avid readers.  Jen has been exposed to books all of her life.  And, to realize this special kid that many of us love so much wanted to read and couldn't, well, surely you get the picture.  I was rightfully shamed, and felt terrible for Jen.  I had, until then, taken for granted the privilege of ease in reading since I first learned how.

But, take heart!  He's a really big God.  And, Jen most assuredly has found favor with Him for many, many reasons.  If you've met her, you know the reasons.  If you haven't, I so hope you one day get the privilege of making her acquaintance.  If your faith is in need of being increased, Jen is one of those very special individuals who can surely help make it grow. 

I live in Texas, and the Sizemores now reside in Winterhaven, Florida.  In being so far apart over the last several years, I missed something.  I don't know when it happened.  I don't know how it happened.  I only don't see how it's possible that it happened, other than it had to be a God thing.  He's the expert with big challenges.

With nearly all of my kith and kin being hours upon hours away from me, I've been using facebook to regularly to keep in touch with everyone.  I do occasionally make phone calls as well, however, when your family and friends circle is as large as mine, facebook is much easier.

Several months ago, I logged into facebook one evening and was happy to see a little instant message box open up.  It was a message from Jen.  I wasn't surprised.  I'd gotten accustomed to conversing with her through a family member or friend jumping in as a typist and reader, filling the gap for us to help with our online conversations.

But, this time, the IM read differently.

The lines were clipped, as in short.  The punctuation and spelling were a bit off, but the content was still quite understandable.  I sat up straighter in my chair.  I was thinking, "No way ... "  But, my curiosity overwhelmed me and so, I had to ask.

I typed into the IM box.  "Jen?  Is that 'you' typing to me?"

The instant message box populated with a one word reply.  "Yes!"

Jennifer Sizemore

Even while remembering this as I write about it, I'm again, as the good Bishop Spencer McCool Sr. describes it, having a moment! (Big smile!)

The phrase, I was so excited, doesn't begin to cover what I felt when Jen answered me.  Not only was she reading what I typed to her, she was typing back. (Bigger smile!)  It was a very moving moment, and in between typing back to Jen how happy I was for her and how proud I was (and still am), I was thanking God for such a wonderful and huge-whopping blessing!

This morning, I took the time to do some research, as well as making two calls to Florida to get some data, to bring this weblog to you today for two reasons.  One, it's just one of those things people should know about.  It inspired me, and I believe it can inspire you as well.  Two, God laid it on my heart to tell you this part of Jen's story here.

That being said, I'll move on to this.  There are Christian writers out there who are being obedient as well, and putting together literature.  Those I'm referring to don't write because they're impressed with themselves.  They don't write out of boredom.  They don't write because they can't find another line of work.  Many of them DO have other lines of work, that takes up a great deal of their time in other necessary endeavors.  And still, they wake up early and go to bed late because they are compelled to take the time to type out the content God lays on their hearts to produce.

That brings me to this.  Reading is a privilege.  If you can read, be thankful for it, because many want to who can't.  And, if you are a Christian reader, then for goodness sake, please be supportive of Christian writers!  If God gave them content, He gave it to them because it's supposed to be read.  Someone is in need of a message in it.  That someone might be someone you know of, or someone you know personally.  In fact, that someone might be you!

If you have the finances to make it possible, I encourage you to please include Christian bookstores in your list of places to shop.  And, no, I'm not knocking or wanting to detract from other sorts of bookstores.  I'm a huge fan of Barnes & Noble, as well as the smaller bookstores, including Half Price Books.  But, Christian book stores carry books by Christian writers that often can't be found anywhere but in a Christian book store, and they need your support.  I also (albeit begrudgingly) support the Kindle and Nook readers because they make for a great way to buy content, or even get free content, when a trip to the bookstore can't be managed.

I'm not intending to detract from the works of non-Christian writers either.  I have friends who are not Christian, who have produced some superb literary content and I promote their work as well when it makes for good reading. 

But, where my Christian family and friends are concerned, I'm asking you to please take the time, make the effort and employ the privilege of reading with special attention to the Christian authors' works.  They need your support.  They need  your feedback, comments and influences.  Beyond that, they need your prayer.

I have some book reviews coming up on femmeflashpoint.hubpages.com highlighting some Christian literature, and where to find it.  I hope you'll take the time to get acquainted with the Christian writers' community.  If you will make the effort, you will be blessed and you'll bless them in return.

In closing, my final note is to remind Jen how impressed I am with her diligence, her faith, and her determination in believing what wonderful things God can do.  She inspires me in ways I don't have enough room to express.  If I can ever inspire others in my literary efforts the way Jen has inspired me, I'll consider myself to have done a fine job at word smithing.

If you would like to practice commenting, you can do so at the bottom of this weblog.  And, whatever comment  you happen to leave, will very likely be read by none other than Jen herself. 

Thank you for stopping by, and I'll keep you posted as to when the reviews will come out.