“From this moment forth, I have resolved to stand by the truth—come what may.”
Hey everyone!
Welcome back to Character in Crisis! This week we have our newest staff member, Spencer Sakal presenting our newest book, Come What May. Last summer, Spencer stepped into Lamplighter for a tour and Dr. Hamby quickly threw him a shovel and invited him to go for a drive. The rest is history! A graduate from The Masters Guild, Spencer joined the team last month and has been hard at work editing, formatting, and assisting with grounds and maintenance ever since. Although he experiences a special delight in finding grammatical errors, Spencer also has a deep love for God’s Word, Worship, and experimenting with different spices, flavors, and ingredients in the kitchen! He has been a joy to have on the team! And so, without further ado, I am pleased to present Mr. Spencer Sakal and his favorite Lamplighter story, Come What May!
Hello, one and all!
Let me introduce you to the defining line from our latest release:
“I have lived silent too long, and I see the damage that has caused. From this moment forth, I have resolved to stand by the truth—come what may.”
This is the spirit of the story; not fatalism, but faith in the God who has said,
Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:1-7
Given the task of editing and formatting Come What May, I spent some time with this story, and how worthwhile it has been! From the very first page, a contrast is drawn between Frank Elston and Stephen Barton, our respective main character and his chief antagonist. Frank displays much virtue even from youth, while Stephen casts doubt on its worth, and a circle of neighbors in a quiet little hamlet watch on in mutual suspense as they consider the lessons our young representatives unwittingly teach.
Hardly able to be called friends, the two cannot help but clash as they live in close contact, sharing some of the same opportunities and goals. How will their contrasting lives unfold? Frank is met with opposition at every turn; Stephen, with disappointment. As they navigate their circumstances, every point of change brings to the reader’s heart the question, “What would I do?” What do you value, and what are willing to give up?
I was confronted with the need to endure patiently whatever trials and difficulties mark the way to seeing my desires fulfilled. Am I willing to wait for God’s best rather than rushing forward to take what is merely good?
Come What May sets an example for us all, displaying the worth of faithful diligence and the reward for entrusting our desires to the Lord, when working and waiting for Him to act. By the end, you will not only have had numerous opportunities to examine yourself on these points but will share in the same noble joy of exalting righteousness and honor with the family of faith.
Father, glorify Your name!
Spencer Sakal
Editor/Formatter
Additional books I have enjoyed are:
The Giant Killer (Ages 6+)
Palace of Deceit (Ages 9+)
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way (Ages 12+)
That Printer of Udell’s (Ages 12+)
Escape From The Eagle’s Nest (Ages 12+)
This powerful story has been a miracle in the making! Selected by Dr. Mark Hamby as one of our newest releases, we spent months editing and reviewing this little book. Infusing Scripture, weaving in a new plot twist, and bringing Christlike values front and center were some of the changes our team made. Our goal was to stay true to the story while, with each edit, tapping into the massive potential this story contained for young men. It was a special treat to be involved in the writing/editing process—especially with Spencer’s grammatical and scriptural insights. We are so thankful for this story and can’t wait for you to read and resonate with the beautiful truths within!
Till next time,
Molly Mayo
Writer/Editor
Read the book for yourself!
Stephen Barton and Frank Elston couldn’t be more different. Like his mother, Stephen is ruled by jealousy and tries to be impressive at Frank’s expense. Frank tries to see the good in others even when it’s to his disadvantage. Though poor, his parents’ influence is evident as Frank Elston becomes highly respected in the community through his hard work and honest dealings.
Frank and Stephen share a singular pursuit—to win the hand of Ruth Chester in marriage. Coming from a life of wealth and ease, which will bear the greatest weight, fortune or character?
Stephen’s scheme is designed to destroy Frank, and just when you think Frank will be rescued from his plight, the author weaves a tale so unexpected that you’ll want to shout out that Frank is not guilty!
You’ll be on the edge of your seat until the very end, as Proverbs 1 is acted out through heart-wrenching decisions. I caution you to suspend judgment until the very end, for everything isn’t always as it seems…