Wait, What?! That was quick. I simply can’t believe that a whole year has passed since I introduced Teaching Parables to the world. Can you believe it?  So much has happened during the past 12 months, it has truly been a ride full of speed bumps, stop signs, ups, downs, twists and turns, but I wouldn’t change my course for anything! I took the scenic route for sure. I have learned so much and guess what, I would do it all over again!

As I sit back and think about what has transpired over the past year, I am so amazed at God’s goodness! He has proven himself true to me time after time! I now realize that each of the three self-published books have ministered to me and helped me through each phase of this journey. Now, check this out!

As I wrote and prepared to publish the the first book, ‘Ask, Seek and Knock’, I had no clue as to what I was doing. Matthew 7:7 was my inspiration, motivation and guide. All I knew is that God spoke to me and gave me an assignment. I had no idea of how to start this process. God placed a story on my heart, and I put the pen to paper, but that was the easy part. Now, how do I find and hire an editor, book designer, illustrator and formatter to get this thing rolling? It’s like I could not shut my brain off, it was in overdrive. There was so much research and planning that needed to be done. All I could do was ask God to show me where to look and who to contact. I was on a mission to seek out those that I felt could bring my vision to life. I knocked on many doors that were closed in my face via phone calls, texts or emails. In those moments I remembered that closed doors are blessings too! God was just redirecting/connecting me to the right people, time and place. See, only leaning and depending on that scripture for that book, got me through. It reminded me that I can ask God for ANYTHING because HE has EVERYTHING! God has it ALL! 

Now the second book,’ I Can Do All Things’, carried me through the next phase of this journey. Philippians 4:13 was all I could repeat over and over again, to keep myself going. See the second book was released very close to the first book because initially the 1st book was to consist of two stories, but my book designer felt as though it was best to separate into two books. Therefore, the second story had been written and I was in the process of approving illustrations and all that comes with self-publishing, while releasing the 1st book. Well, I’m a new author with a newly released book, who autographs and ships all her own books during the Christmas\New Year holiday season. Who does that? Me!  So, working fulltime, caring for my family and now an entrepreneur, was a bit overwhelming. Let’s not forget that not only am I a newly minted author but a blogger too!! I can thank my web designer for that suggestion, because I never thought about becoming a blogger. So, now you see how that second scripture came in handy, I needed to be reminded that I could do ALL things through Christ that gives me strength. He gave me exactly what I needed, STRENGTH!

Now this third book, Lord, I just didn’t think I was going to make it. I’m just being honest. It was one delay after another, anything that could happen, did happen. In the midst of trying to get this third book done, my mom had knee replacement surgery, I helped to plan an unexpected funeral for a relative, working a full-time job along with other responsibilities. When I say I was stretched to the limit, I was stretched so thin. But God! I had to keep repeating Ecclesiastes 9:11, to remind myself ‘Don’t Ever Give Up’. Giving up was not an option. I was mentally, physically and emotionally drained. So, I was not swift nor strong, but I hung in there. The book was released a little over a month of what I had planned but I have learned to trust God’s timing. It may have been delayed but never denied. This book reminded me that giving up is not an option, unless I’m giving it up to God! 

Teaching Parables was designed for parents or any responsible adult to take time to read, explain and discuss each scripture or story with the child. Sometimes we adults can get so caught up in the day- to- day pressures of life we can forget that the Word of God is not complicated. The story in each book brings the scripture to life in a way that any child can comprehend and retain. I have seen for myself that these books can be beneficial to adults as well, because they are gentle reminders of how God works and how He fulfills His promises to us. In times of need we should be able to recall scripture and speak life into any situation. These are the same principles that we should be teaching our children.

So today, I can proudly say,” that I have asked, seeked and knocked”. I can boldy say,” that I can do all things through Christ that strengths me”. I can confidently say,” that I know that the race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong but unto them that endureth until the end”. My race is just getting started and I can’t wait to see what all God has prepared for Teaching Parables. 

First and foremost, I want to thank God for the vision and provision He has given to make ALL this possible. Lord, I thank you and I am eternally grateful and humbled. I would like to thank each and every person that has purchased a book, left a review, sent in a picture, prayed for me, sowed a seed, gifted a book, encouraged me and wished me success. I really appreciate the love and support more than you will ever know. I want to especially thank my family for all they have done and endured on this journey with me. Nobody, but my family sees my tears, worries, concerns and sleepless nights and they have encouraged me and have stood by me every step of the way. They are my purpose pushers and there is no way I can repay them for all they have done. Love is what love does and without a shadow of a doubt, I know they love me. 

This year has been phenomenal, far beyond what I could have ever asked for, imagined or dreamed. I am so excited about all that God has done, is doing and will be doing through Teaching Parables! I declare and decree that we are changing lives one Bible verse at a time! 

Peace and Blessings, 

Tiffiney Rogers-McDaniel

Teaching Parables

Founder