In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
Romans 12:6 (NLT)
Writing began to be a part of my life at the age when I started writing in my first diary.
Twenty years ago a pastor friend of mine said to me "Virginie, you have a writing talent, you should use it".
I smiled. When I had tried, writing had often taken me down dark paths, plunging me back into emotional states related to difficult times in my life. My prayers said, "Lord, I'm burning to do this but I feel it's not right. Silence this urge if it is not good for me.”
One day, a friend in charge of Women’s Ministries was annoyed because she couldn't think of a story to tell that would fit with the topic she wanted to write about. That evening, I wrote a story. Encouraged by the enthusiasm that this story aroused in her and the children, I wrote a second one, then another. And then that was it.
The following year, at a gathering, I found myself sitting at the table next to a lady I only knew by sight. We chatted to get to know each other and, strangely enough, I talked about the stories I had written and my desire "to one day write for God.” She in turn told me, "I am passionate about books. I am a publisher. I started my own publishing company." My heart began to race. After that encounter, my prayer was, "Lord, am I understanding right what you are trying to do?" A joyful fire had been kindled in my heart but the doubts in my head were trying to extinguish it.
Two years later I held in my hands the result of my journey of writing with the Lord since the first words in my first diary: a book. It was a book that throughout the process of writing did not lead me down dark paths, or into harmful emotional states. A book that speaks of forgiveness, respect, wonder, and love "without fuss", in the simplicity of everyday life.
Agathe, la vie sans chichi, is a book written for children about a girl, Agathe, who is curious and resourceful. At school, at home, and on vacation, she meets new people, gets into trouble, and experiences conflicts and reconciliations. Sometimes she is also afraid or bored. The lively and humorous writing brings to life a familiar and endearing world in which all children will recognize themselves. This collection of stories immerses young readers in a world that emphasizes intergenerational ties, caring relationships with nature and others, manual activities, imagination, and creativity. From each story, one can draw life lessons, in all simplicity, tenderness, and lightness.
My prayer is: "Thank you Lord for this immeasurable joy that you pour into me! Thank you for having been patient and for having brought me this far.” Today I finally dare to say it: Jesus is using my potential. Not as a request but as an affirmation. My prayer continues: "Lord, I pray to you for every reader. What shall we write today?"
Virginie Plumeille lives in France