It's funny how some of the most profound ideas form in one's mind after reading a children's book. Maybe it is because the really great thoughts are fundamental in origin, as in a child's book. Illustrations in the book are predominantly gray and yellow, dark and light. One cannot read the text and not think about the metaphorical significance of this concept. We make choices every day that affect not only our lives but the lives of others by our actions and our words. Those choices are made within the context of the heart and come from a soul that is filled with either dark or light. Which of these presences inhabit yours? Back in 1986, This Present Darkness, a book by Frank Peretti, came out. It summarized the existence of the spiritual realm and how the powers we cannot visually see but are affected by every day within our thoughts and souls are battling against these powers. Just as trees stand within the forest whether you can see them or not, these forces abound and are present within our thoughts daily. How we choose to act upon our thoughts and what we choose as input into our minds through media, text, and relationships helps also to shape these thoughts and the outcomes we will experience.

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This simple little children's book speaks about the heart and how it is our choice to decide what we will choose to allow to rule it, thereby choosing what will rule our lives and affect all the people we come in contact with through rhyme and beautiful illustrations. I have experienced people who walk around with a blank stare or even one that seems to be filled with harshness. It does not take long to realize their souls harbor a very strong presence that you do not want to be around. What inhabits the thoughts and recesses of your soul? Have you found the road to peace and made a decision to choose to follow the light? There is a lot of hurt out there within the lives of others.

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We can be a hand reached out to lead them back away from the precipice and into the light by the words we speak and the actions we take.

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It's a good habit to pass on!

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I think I often learned even more from stories I read aloud to my daughter in her formative years than she did, or at least as much. One has not the privilege of seeing into the soul of another. But they can, if they look, see a light develop and shine forth when the words spoken are filled with light rather than shadow. There is a peace and transformation of grace that fills the hearer and not only them but the whole of the atmosphere. It was that way – that the room would fill with a sweet "spirit" as the story developed and transformed the hearers. Never discount the knowledge held in children's books. After all, they are not written by a child but for a child to help with life's hurdles, many turns, and crooks in the road. Those same afflictions do not go away as you grow older, rather just change a bit subjectively. The lessons to be gained have not, however, changed all that much. The principles to be learned, at the heart, are still surprisingly relevant and clear if one just opens their eyes -- and, uh, heart.

A fan wrote to Luyken of her love for the book. The author responds, "Thank you! I'm so excited for this book to be out in the world. As far as celebrating goes, Tuesday morning I'll read the book with my daughter. Or rather, she will read the book to me. Which will leave my heart in a puddle on the floor." Metaphorically spoken, I think she means her heart will be so warmed it will be as melted wax running to the floor. When was the last time you felt that warming sensation? Isn't it time?