Welcome to the first official day of summer! Today I’m cogitating about “what ifs.”
A colleague of mine routinely used the following response whenever her students posed “what if” questions: “If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a merry Christmas.”
I often find myself thinking about this quip. If only the world could be a better place.
April Graney’s new book If Jesus Came to My School shares the joyous result of a “what if” situation coming true!
This book asks readers to imagine what a school day might be like if Jesus were sitting nearby in a classroom or in the cafeteria or on the playground.
“I’d find an extra chair for him, and then our class would start.
We’d listen close at story time, then practice math and art.”
The book further depicts the joy of having Jesus in their midst!
“We’d all be having so much fun, the most we’ve ever known!
But then he’d notice Emily. She frowns and sits alone.”
You can guess what happens next. Jesus befriends Emily and helps the other students understand the power of empathy. He teaches the children to be kind and play fair and show love.
“If someone wasn’t playing fair or treating people wrong,
He’d gently help us find the way to love and get along!”
Based on the “God is Light” and “God is Love” passages from 1st John, this book helps children imagine how joyful life can be when they learn to be like Jesus.
“If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”—1 John 1:7
“Let us love one another, for love comes from God.”—1 John 4:7
As a teacher herself, Graney explains that she modeled several of her characters after her own students, friends, and family members.
One particular page brought me to tears as I thought about my own role as a teacher and my personal relationship with Jesus.
“He’d hug my teacher too and say, “Thanks for loving kids so much!
The world will be a better place because of little lives you’ve touched!”
Be still my heart!
In case you missed it, in my interview with April in the fall of 2022, she shared more details of her life and work as an author. I encourage you to read her story. https://joycemccullough.com/fall-2022-author-interview-and-giveaway/
If Jesus Came to My School is available wherever books are sold, and I encourage you to purchase a copy for any kids you may know. Here’s the Amazon link: https://mybook.to/dczrlZ.
You can also sign up for resources at her website https://onehappyhouse.org/.
As a thank you to my newsletter subscribers, I will be giving away a copy of If Jesus Came to My School, God Is Three in One, and I Love You, Dad! Here’s the link if you need to subscribe: https://joycemccullough.com/newsletter/. I will choose the winners on Monday morning, June 23, 2025.
I hope you enjoy your summer, and I hope you allow others to see the light and love of Jesus in you.
Blessings,
The Literary Lyonesse
Now this book sounds interesting and I offer what’s the first set of questions I would ask Jesus when I met him. I would ask about his childhood as there is only 1 mention of his early years when he was 12 at the synagog ; how did he stay sinless as we know little boys always get in trouble. Did he like being a carpenter and what did he feel when he was baptized by John the Baptist.
I will bring a copy of the book to SS class for you to see how the author addresses your comment. 🙂
I know my grand children would love your books.
Thank you!!