Grams Writes

It’s been almost a month since I posted a blog. I was reminded yesterday that I was behind in this, so I’m making an effort to get back on track. I’m the one who says life is just a progression of events and organization is the key. So, I suppose it’s time I organized the succession of events I call my life.

This week is crammed with extra events. It is the week for the Leadership Conference, boards meet for all the different agencies of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, RHP is hosting snacks/meals at sister agencies, and it is also crunch week. What is that? Crunch week is the last week of the editorial/design production schedule. CLEAR Sunday School curriculum for the spring ‘09 quarter has to be in printing by the end of this week. Will we make it? It looks good so far. I’ve been here almost 12 years and we have never failed to deliver Sunday School curriculum in time for the churches to begin the next quarter of study. I don’t anticipate this being the quarter that breaks that record.

Do I have everything organized? Yes. Am I ready for the rest of the week? Absolutely. Do I have a blog to post. Just finished it.

Grams

When I first started working for Randall House, other than trying to get a production schedule in place that would work more efficiently, nothing much changed. We were just trying to maintain the status quo. Now, that was twelve years ago, or close to that. I look back on those days and then take stock of where we are today, and I shake my head almost in unbelief.

What was once a couple of in-house editors, a typesetter, and one graphic designer has grown to include an editorial director, a managing editor, 2 senior editors, 3 associate editors, 1 editorial assistant, and 1 editorial intern. Then across the hall, the graphic design department sports a design manager, 3 designers, 1 typesetter, and a design intern. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention our book acquisitions editor who heads up our book division. Obviously, the number of products has increased as well.

In the world of publishing, the staff I just referred to is quite small. Even with all the increase we have had, we have room to substantially increase product and thereby personnel. When someone says, the sky’s the limit, I sometimes wonder if that person really understands what he has alluded to. But that sentiment definitely holds true for Randall House today. With all that has been, considering where we began and where we’re going, those of us who are looking from the inside out know that today we can say, “The sky’s the limit.”

In the spring quarter of 2009 Fusion will replace CLEAR Living as the new adult devotional magazine. After many hours of researching, talking, thinking, and praying for God’s guidance, we believe this product will more closely meet the needs of today’s adults facing life in our anti-Christian culture. The aim is once again to help families connect together around the Word of God. Fusion is a positive step in that direction.

More new products and product lines are coming in 2009. The fall quarter will see the first issue of The Brink, a young adult curriculum line designed to target young adults age 18-30. The content remains biblical, but the approach to application will cause those in this age group to look at how that biblical content impacts where they live. It will be different, but it will also be a mighty tool to reach one of the most neglected groups of adults in our culture. We are all very excited. What else is coming remains to be seen, but I’d keep my eyes open and my ears peeled if I were you.

This incredible journey I’ve been on for the past 12 years has really been a joy in my life. Has it all been easy? Well, no! But, things that come easy usually do not last nor do they have the eternal impact struggles do. It has been, and is, a trip worth taking.

Grams

I have two boys. They are very different in personality and interests, yet they both have become very successful in their pursuit of God’s plan for their lives. Now, from the world’s viewpoint of success, I don’t suppose they are, not if making a lot of money and having a lot of “stuff” is the measuring criteria. But, thankfully God does not measure success by that standard.

I write often of the antics of Brian when he was just a boy. He was very active with an imagination that never ceased to amaze me. One of the things he did most was take things apart. He always wanted to know what made it work. Those who know him appreciate his musical talent and ability. Never would I have dreamed God would call him into the Army and then to the Chaplain’s Corp, but He did.

Chris was not very healthy as a child and so the time when he would have been involved in activities similar to those of his brother was spent in doors. It was not until he was in college that Chris’ health improved. Thanks be to God, for he is now a healthy young man. Maybe all those years of forced inactivity is what produced such a scholar. At any rate, the child I never thought would live to become a man is now pastoring in Georgia and holds a position as a mental health counselor.

Why am I writing along these lines? All parents know that none of their children are identical in personality, interests, goals, ambitions, etc. The job of a conscientious parent can be very difficult for you must  understand  the needs of each child, as different as they may be. The goal is to help each child become the person God intends for him or her to be. This can be an awesome task.

There are many times when I could have used help from people I trusted. There were people I could talk to. God was always gracious in that regard, but there were times I wondered how these two would ever turn out.

Unknowingly, I plugged into what is now called D6. All I knew to do was use the Bible as my source book; my guide book. Every chance I had, I engaged the boys, either together or separately, in discussion about their life and lined the topic or problem up with the Word of God. I made sure they knew they could talk to me about anything, anytime. Miraculously, it worked!

Are they perfect? Have you read my blog at all? No, they are not perfect, but they are godly men who love God, their wife and children, their families and friends, and are committed to following His will for their lives. I am very pleased with what God has done and is continuing to do in both their lives.

D6 is a phenomenal program. If you want help in parenting your children to become committed followers of Christ, plug your family into D6. It works and there’s plenty of help available. Ask about it at Randall House. Tell ‘em Grams sent you.

Grams

I left Nashville May 14 for an extended work vacation. Only the marvel we call technology made this trip possible. Monday through Friday I was at work, sometimes all day and other days part of the day. Then in the afternoon and evenings I was free to spend time with my sons and their families. It has been a most relaxing time away. But, I am ready to go home.

The older I get the more I realize that the saying, “There’s no place like home,” becomes more and more a reality. While I was treated like a queen, every need met and then some; while I was loved and doted on by my grandchildren, it is time I return to the high calling of my life–overseeing the publication of the most dynamic Sunday School curriculum available today. While most people are able to reach only a small number of acquaintances on a regular basis, the products I and my editors work on go into over 250,000 homes each week. Now that is an amazing outreach for the kingdom! High calling is surely the name for what I do.

I don’t know if my editors are ready to see me, but I am most anxious to see them. The Godfather or the Queen Mom or the Sarg or just plain Dianne is headed home.

Grams