Böcker av Mary Perrone Davis

Little Mary takes a pottery class. As she molds her lump of clay into a pitcher, she thinks of how God molds us. Mary realizes that the Lord allows us to experience hard times because that is how He shapes us and makes us more like His Son, Jesus.

While traveling in the car with her mother and father, young Mary spots a shepherd directing his sheep across the road. Mary observed that he uses his staff to keep the sheep going in the right direction. He is patient with the old and the young sheep. When a young sheep has trouble keeping up, the shepherd gently lifts it to his shoulders and carries it. When Mary expresses her excitement to her parents, they use the experience to teach her that God directs His children in the way they should go using the Bible, the spiritual elders, and the parents.

Little Mary visits a farm with her parents, and she is concerned when she sees a heavy wooden yoke being placed on the neck of an ox. Mary's parents explain that the work of pulling a plow is easier when two animals are yoked and pulling together. They use the opportunity to teach Mary that when we are yoked up with Jesus, it means that He is always with us, helping us bear the burdens of life. We only need to pray three simple words to summon His help, “Jesus, help me.”

Little Mary loves to sing but is afraid to join her church’s choir. Mary's parents use the opportunity to teach her that, if you love the Lord with your whole heart and soul, you should give back to Him the gifts He has given you. Just as eaglets learn to fly by leaving behind the safety of the ledge, Mary needs to step out in faith, believing that the Lord will lift her up. Some people may tell you that it is crazy to leap into the unknown, but they will never know the joy of soaring on the wind.

Young Mary discovers fireflies for the first time and realizes that fireflies are beautiful when shining but are ordinary bugs when not shining. Mary's mom uses the opportunity to teach Mary that although God places His spark of light in us, we don't always shine brightly either. Most of us are like fireflies who shine off and on. When Mary asks how we shine, her mother explains that we shine when we love others, which makes us a reflection of God's love in us.

Mary has many colorful flowers in her garden. Then a colorful new visitor shows up. A beautiful butterfly has emerged from its cocoon. Mary lovingly serves a refreshing drink to her new guest, remembering how God meets all of our needs. This author's desire is to awaken in children the ability to recognize the many ways that God lets His love shine down on them.