During last Christmas season, I read a book called Where Treetops Glisten (see my review of it here). I was thrilled about the book, since I had already read and loved books by Tricia Goyer and Cara Putman. But Sarah Sundin was a new author for me, and I had no idea what to expect. What I got in her piece of that book was quick wit, lovable characters, and a sweet story that hooked me for good. Over this year (2015), I have collected all of her books that are in print to this date (Half Price Books is amazing), and I look forward to reading them in succession soon. If you haven't read her WWII fiction, what are you waiting for?
I'm pleased to announce that Sarah Sundin is today's guest blogger. I hope you enjoy her article and make her feel welcome!
Work and
Play
by Sarah
Sundin
Pets amuse us, comfort us, exasperate us, and
sometimes even inspire us.
We have a yellow lab. Daisy takes her job as
watchdog very seriously. The pool guy quakes at the sound of her frenzied
barking (at least in Daisy’s imagination). She pursues the neighborhood
squirrel with single-minded focus. On her walks, she charges forward,
determined to investigate every sign of cats, dogs, birds,
or—shudder!—squirrels. When we’re away, she lies on the rug by the front door,
guarding the house from burglars and squirrels. Her work is her life.
 |
| Sarah's dog, Daisy. |
Daisy pursues what she wants with persistence. She
uses her nose and one fang to open the childproof lock on the cupboard under
the sink where we keep the trash. And if the pantry door is left open, she’ll
raid the jerky treats—even if it means getting her head stuck in the bag.
For all her craziness, Daisy inspires me with her
devotion to her work and with her “dogged” persistence. Work hard. Stay
focused. Don’t let anything stand in your way.
We also have a cat. Janie likes to rest. After
all, she is a cat. She has no duties. She’s waited on, as she believes she
deserves. The purpose of her life is to play and to sleep and to dreamily watch
the birdies from her favorite window seat.
 |
| Sarah's cat, Janie. |
For all her laziness, Janie inspires me. She knows
the value of relaxation and feels no shame in resting.
Recently the Lord has been teaching me about the
importance of Sabbath rest. The Fourth Commandment states, “Six days you shall
labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your
God. On it you shall not do any work…For in six days the LORD made the heavens
and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day”
(Exodus 20:9-11; NIV).
God wants us to have a rhythm of work and rest in
our lives. Both work and rest are equally beneficial and equally necessary. We
must never neglect one in favor of the other.
 |
| Sarah Sundin |
Sarah Sundin is the author of seven historical
novels, including Through Waters Deep
(Revell, August 2015). Her novella in Where Treetops Glisten was a finalist
for the 2015 Carol Award, and her novel On
Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. A
mother of three, Sarah lives in California.
In 1941, as America teeters on the brink of World War II, Mary Stirling
works at the Boston Navy Yard and renews an old friendship with naval officer
Ensign Jim Avery. Jim’s destroyer escorts British convoys across the North
Atlantic, but problems on his ship point to a saboteur at the shipyard. As Mary
works to find the culprit and Jim battles U-boats, could their friendship
blossom into something more? Or could the dangers they face keep them apart?
*All pictures courtesy of Sarah Sundin.
Sarah, thanks for sharing your inspiration with us. Your pets sound very fun and quirky; just the way I like 'em! Through Waters Deep looks really good. I can't wait to see Mary and Jim's story unfold. Thanks for joining us at Writing to Inspire today!
Friends, how have pets inspired you? Share a pet memory of yours in the comment section. What is it about pets that brings you joy?
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