Three years ago, Doubleday for Young Reader [a division of Penguin Random House] published my picture book The Donkey’s Song.

Since the day that my editor acquired my book [about 5 years ago], I have repeatedly told everyone who would listen that everything about my picture book and its publication is miraculous. In fact, every time I autograph one of my books, I say something like “Life Is A Miracle,” or “You Are a Miracle.” And I’m not just blowing wind. I truly see the miraculous happening around me every day, And I know that God is working similar miracles in other peoples’ lives. I further believe that learning to discover the miraculous in life is a key to happiness, With that, allow me to share some of my more recent miracles.

1. After 3 years, The Donkey’s Song is still in print
2. After 3 years, I am seeing the miracle of that book working in other peoples’ lives

Two days before Christmas, someone shared the above photo of a young mother as she was reading The Donkey’s Song with her baby. I don’t know this family, but my Donkey knows them. The book that God and I began together has reached another level–beyond my control. Now. Donkey and God are completing the mission–and that mission will carry on for years to come.

Today, Facebook showed me a photo that an absolute stranger posted, showing her 3 favorite Nativity picture books. The Donkey’s Song was one of those 3. Again, Donkey and God are carrying forward the mission.

Also today,  a friend that I met a few days before Christmas and I were able to meet for a second time. This person and I had a chance encounter at a  hair salon, and somehow God extended our meeting down at my new studio. This person was interested to learn more about my picture book. We arrived at the studio in 2 cars, and as this person and her husband walked through the door, I began to apologize. “I’m sorry. I failed to mention that my book is a Christian book. If you are not Christians, you may hate my book.”

I said those words because I have had that experience on multiple occasions. Someone was about to buy the book and discovered, just in the nick of time, that they couldn’t buy into the book’s theme. I didn’t panic. I knew that Donkey and I had done our job — we had planted a seed. Maybe that seed would grow under a new light. Maybe . . .

But my new acquaintances assured me: “We are retired ministers.” And the wife was a children’s minister. I knew that God had brought us together. My new friends bought The Donkey’s Song, and God and Donkey were left the tasks ahead.

A couple of days ago, the wife contacted me and asked to meet with me again. During our meeting, I learned more about this person, and I shared with her some new things about me. “Surely the presence of the Lord was in that place. . . ”

As the wife told me more about the ministry that she and her husband had left in another state, I had a resounding thought: “Your mission is not over.”

As we parted ways today, I repeated a phrase that I had expressed at the Christmas Eve Party in my studio: “To God be the Glory. . .”

I know what you are thinking, but allow me to add the rest of that story, as I see it for this precious couple, for me, for you, for “The Whole World [that’s] in His Hands,” To God be the Glory, His Work Is Not Done. Happy New Year.

Thoughts on New Year’s Eve: To God Be the Glory. His Work Is Not Done