Once again, I can’t recall exactly how I came across a certain book that touched me. But that’s really not important. What’s rather surprising is that it was a book written for children, a genre I don’t normally follow since I don’t have any little ones of any relation to read to.

Of course, sometimes words written for the very young have lessons for us grown folks. And such is the case with Pastor Charles Areson’s The Bee in the Blackberry Bush.

This sweetly simple story, delightfully illustrated by Don Lee, far surpassed the usual expectations for a self-published book, as Charles points out on his website. And brought a big old lump to my big-girl throat. Here’s part of what I wrote to the author today:

Charles, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with you as a proofreader on a couple of your works. But did I ever actually thank you for the one that introduced me to you, The Bee in the Blackberry Bush? Maybe I did, but this month I want to do so again. The lessons so gently told of industriousness, contentment, and sacrifice—not to mention, of course, the greatest one of all, love—are so easy to overlook in our busy, distracted world., especially as we get older. Thanks for honoring the storyteller within you, for selecting such a wonderful artist to bring your words to life, and letting me see with the eyes of a child again, for just a few short minutes. Sometimes a few short minutes are all that is needed.

Friends, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of The Bee in the Blackberry Bush today. Read it out loud to your kids or grandkids, to a child who needs a friend, or even to your spouse. And don’t be surprised if you get a lump in your grownup throat too. A good one.