The Saturday Journal: The story behind X-Marks the Spot and a Giveaway
- tathelmillerwriter
- Nov 25, 2023
- 4 min read
A humble and heartfelt thank you for reading and for those who have purchased X-Marks the Spot. For your kind words, support, and encouragement--the words thank you seems never enough. This week's Saturday Journal explains more of the story behind X-Marks the Spot and also information about a giveaway I am excited to share!
It was early March, 2020 when I signed the contract with a publisher for my children’s book, X-Marks the Spot. And before the ink was dry–the world shut down.
The story of X-Marks the Spot goes back much further than the pandemic and the three and a half years it took for me to finally hold the book in my hand. I could share about every obstacle, every road block, every disappointment since signing on the dotted line. But it’s not really what's important in the story or that it even matters now. I think we lose focus on God's timing--trusting in His plan--I raise my hand guilty--oh so many times.
My oldest two grandbabies, then much younger, were watching Dora the Explorer and Dora and her friends were going on treasure hunt. They carried their trusted treasure map with the big red X–and my grandson, he shouted X-Marks the Spot! And a few days later I saw an X in the sky–I’d seen them before--but had I really seen them?
According to an article I read, Trails in the Sky, All about Contrails, from the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology website, these white lines in the sky are called contrails--
“If you have ever glimpsed a jet zipping through the air, you may have noticed a thin white line streaming from the back of it. These white lines are referred to as contrails - an abbreviation for condensation trails. The reasoning behind why these "sky art" lines are formed can be explained with the analogy of why you can see your breath in the air at certain times. The water vapor present in the jet exhaust condenses and could freeze. This combination process forms a cloud comparable to the one your hot breath forms on a cold day.”
I began seeing these Xs in the sky even more and I mentioned them to my daughter and she said, ‘Like Dora’s X on her treasure map. X-marks the spot!'
And I started taking photos of the Xs and some weeks I would see one–two–three. But it was on a summer evening right before sunset, I saw an X over a church steeple–and then– everything changed.
The children in the story, X-Marks the Spot, they are on a journey--a treasure hunt through the Bible and while they are searching for the X to find their treasure, they meet Noah and David, the shepherd boy, and Jonah. And when they are about to give up–they meet Jesus and they learn their true treasure is with Him.
Inspired first by my grandson's outburst of X-Marks the Spot, I wrote the story and he shared it along with a t-shirt as a Christmas gift to his classmates. At a school gathering, his teacher read the story which included all his classmates' names while the children and his teachers wore their X-Marks the Spot shirts. I couldn't include all of my grandson's classmates' names in the book. There were too many, the editor said. But the first unedited story--I will always hold close. And I will be forever grateful to my grandson's teachers for this special memory.
The Xs in the sky–I'm still seeing them. And, some may see them as contrails as what they are, but I see them a little different now. A much-needed reminder, He is always near--always present--kingdom work is the most important work and this truth--
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21
GIVEAWAY
Does your church have a children's library?
I have ten copies of X-Marks the Spot as a giveaway
and I would love to give one to your church's children's library.
Please let me know by commenting on the Facebook post or here on the blog.
ORDER A COPY
X-Marks the Spot is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart and a few other booksellers.
The link below is for Amazon. I also have some copies available for sale if interested.
Please email me for more details.
And again, a heartfelt thank you to all who have purchased a copy.
X-Marks the Spot T-Shirt
If you are interested in purchasing one of the X-Marks the Spot t-shirts, please email or comment below. Right now we are seeing if there is enough interest before placing an order.
The cost would be $20.00 or less.
(Design may vary slightly and short-sleeve only--Adult and Children's sizes will be available)
LINK to the Resource
Trails in the Sky, All about Contrails
A humble thank you for reading The Saturday Journal.
My prayer is to share The Saturday Journal every Saturday or at least bi-weekly--
but always on Saturdays. If you would like to have The Saturday Journal come to your email box, please subscribe to A Beautiful Grace blog and newsletter at
http://www.tathelmiller.com
All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.
This is a special book. I shared it with my Sunday School class and they loved it. I would definitely be interested in a couple of the shirts. Thank you for always allowing God to lead you.