posted by Jessica Lynette on Personal

1 comment

Just a Minute was sent to me to review; I use great discernment before agreeing to review anything and only choose things that I believe I can firmly stand behind. This book did not disappointment. This book will be on my bookshelf forever and I highly recommend it be on yours too.

Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child, One Moment … Can Last Forever by Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International, is an incredible book that will challenge the way you interact with any child. I read this book in 4 days and the stories still linger in my mind, inspiring me to think long term about how my actions, responses and words to children might be influencing them.

The book itself is a collection of short stories about individuals influencing the life of a child in a moment in time. The book includes good examples that came about from positive interactions and bad examples that came about from negative interactions. There are stories of well known people (John Wesley, Alfred Hitchcock, etc) and stories from Mr. Stafford’s own experiences and interactions with people from conferences and his work with Compassion International.

Between the stories is a gentle narration to lead you from one to the next. At times I felt the narration was a bit awkward, but there isn’t much of it and the narration itself is necessary as it draws the reader to a call of action.

I finished reading this book feeling deeply convicted about how every moment and every interaction with a child is indeed a moment to forever influence a life and any person who interacts with a child has within them self the ability to to encourage or tear down a child. A few of the quotes I highlighted throughout the book;

“… if God stands a child before you, for even just a minute, it is a divine appointment. You have the chance to launch a life … ” (page 14)
“We never know when we’re making a lifelong memory for someone. That’s why we have to be so gentle and kind to one another, all the time.” (page 15)
“You, even for a minute, are part of a tapestry of people engaged in the life of any child with whom you have a minute.” (page 122)

“I invite you to join me in making this cause for children your own passion, to fight the battle child by child and minute by minute, being alert and willing to step in and make a memory that just might transform a life, heal a wounded heart, or lovingly send a child on their way. In the heart of a child, a moment can last forever.” (page 209)

As a mother this book impacted me and encouraged me to be diligent in being gentle with my children especially throughout the mundane as it is likely in the mundane that my children will make lasting memories.

As a Sunday School teacher and Awana game leader (alongside Paul) it challenged me to see anew these children with whom I have a great ability to influence through my choice of words and actions.

And as a person in society who sees children in passing cars, in the neighborhood and while out on errands this book impressed upon me the importance of being kind to children and the significance that kindness could have.

Basically, if you see a child – ever – you should read this book.

Author royalties from Just a Minute are all going to Compassion International!

Tags: book