A few months ago, I joined a writing group called Hope*Writers.   I can’t even explain what a blessing this group and its teachings have been to me.  One of the many benefits of this (large and professional) writing group are small group sessions called Guided Hope Circles.   Members sign up for sessions, starting in February. Each meets virtually with folks from all over the country and lasts about 8 weeks.   The session that I signed up for and will start next week is called Exploring Faith and Art with Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water — hosted by Kimberly Coyle.  I cannot wait.

As I was ordering the session book, I realized that I don’t remember ever reading Madeleine L’Engle’s award winning book, A Wrinkle in Time, so I ordered that too!   Oh my gosh.  It’s incredible.  What a plot line, what a message, what a creative use of historical quotes, science, fantasy, and faith all bundled into one story line.  It’s written for young adults (grades 5-9) but a fabulous read for adults and families as well.  I want to say it’s where Harry Potter meets Jesus….if you can even imagine that.

There are so many “Day Ideas” for a family that can come from this story- using nature, fantasy, math, quirkiness, and faith.  Here I am at 60 years old reading A Wrinkle in Time for the first time, and I cannot put it down.  I WILL be reading the four books that follow this one!  It just confirms for me the power of words and the impact that a well-written story with a beautiful theme can have on us. Even this old gal WITH WRINKLES can get carried away in a beautiful children’s story.

In one part of the adventure, Meg Murray, her brother Charles Wallace, and Calvin O’Keefe are “tessering” through time. They are afraid, but the qualities they possess on earth and that make them awkward are the very characteristics that will enable them to persevere. Meg does not “fit in” at school but it’s because she thinks on another level, deeper.  She has other talents.  She’s told, “But of course we can’t take any credit for our talents.  It’s how we use them that counts.” Lots of ideas here, right?

Psalm 90:12 reads:  “Teach us to number our days aright, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” I love this verse; it reminds me of how precious time every day is.  This hits home more and more as I get older.

We can’t time travel in reality (until time won’t matter) but we can use our time in the right ways.  We can model for our children how to use time.  We can purposely carve out time to just be with them, to listen, and to read. We can hope that some of the stories we read open up conversations. Whatever our kids are dealing with or struggling with, there’s a book about it.  There’s a character that they can connect with and glean some hope from. 

And those of us with wrinkles can be ready to listen and help them through these times.