Heart of a Samurai

Brief overview:

The year is 1841. A sea storm strands a Japanese fisherboy named Manjiro and his friends on an island. The group can't return home because of the country's rule that once you leave, you can't come back. Manjiro starts a new life on board a whaling ship, learns more about cultures he once feared, and wonders if one can ever become a samurai.

Recommended age range: 8-12 years old

Strengths:

• Based off the life of Manjiro Nakahama, a Japanese teenager shipwrecked in 1841.
• Includes Manjiro's actual pencil drawings throughout the book.
• An interesting look into how different cultures perceive one another and the importance of overcoming our suspicions to engage on a deeper level.
• A glimpse into life during that time period (1840s/1850s).

Additional Notes:

• With a slower moving pace, reading it aloud can be a good option.
• Not written as a fast-paced adventure, but fine as a historical biography.
• Story covers Manjiro's entire life and can skip over chunks of time making it harder to track.

'Linsanity' and Staying the Course

My boys and I recently watched the documentary about basketball player, Jeremy Lin, and it reminded me of how often God's way looks nothing like ours.

Jeremy Lin is a Christian whose unlikely path led to playing in the NBA, but he faced racism (as an Asian playing high level basketball) and a host of ups and downs.

But I loved Lin's motto (especially for my basketball-loving kids ): God first, family second, basketball third. This documentary sparked a reminder that trust in God and hard work are essential.

As my oldest is on the cusp of the teenage years, I appreciated a story that showcased the importance of humility, hard work, and rooted devotion to honoring Christ with basketball rather than listening to voices of the world (which were quite loud).

Although this documentary was about basketball, the message of Lin's story is applicable for any believer following the Lord in this world. Sometimes our path will feel confusing, difficult, and uncertain.

Before Lin's breakout stretch, he was one game away from his NBA career ending. He had no clue he could step out onto the court and accomplish what he did on such a high level. He had the tools and talent to play well, but didn't know things would fall into place like they did. Later he commented how it didn't feel like he was playing, but something "supernatural." Faithfulness and reliance upon the Lord to do something beyond ourselves comes when we may least expect it. 

I've felt this in my own writing journey. Sometimes it feels like all the doors are closing and I've wondered if this was the end of the line. But then God opened the door for such unlikely opportunities there was no other explanation but the Lord.

I can look back and see how all those years of investing into my craft and the variety of experiences He provided led to being ready for the next step the Lord had. I'm not where I thought I would be, but I'm so grateful to be where the Lord wants me to be.

Trusting God isn't for the faint of heart. Trusting God doesn't mean the path is smooth or we can always track with what He's doing. But a firmly rooted faith in the Lord and doing everything to please Him, not others is essential. 

Faithfulness to Jesus is always worth it. Stay the course, friends. Stay the course.