For children on your gift list I suggest a book by an authentic cowboy who spins yarns about the Head of Ranch Security, “Hank the Cowdog.”   If they like it, they can choose from about 70 other tales in print and audio formats.

For full disclosure I have not read these children’s books, but I have read about the author, John Erickson. It’s his story of perseverance that commends his writing.

Except for the few years he spent pursuing his education, Peterson worked all of his life on a ranch, and today he owns a 9-square-mile spread. He has endured brutal cold and searing heat, long days and grueling work making a living with horses, cows, and dogs.  Such a profession demands perseverance.

So does writing. For a while Peterson fancied himself the next Hemingway, but he finally realized, “It might be important for somebody who wants to write about the human experience to know a little bit about it” (as told to Marvin Olasky of World News Group).  So after his studies at Harvard Divinity School in the 1960’s, he became a cowboy again.

But publishers did not want his stories, no matter how authentic. In his cowboy vernacular, “It was like being in a dogfight every day or getting bucked off a horse every morning.”  But he persevered.  With borrowed money he established Maverick Books, and in 1983 he began publishing “Hank the Cowdog.”  He has sold over 9 million books.

Peterson’s mother was the first storyteller he ever knew. She told stories of her West Texas ancestors and read him Bible stories.  “Years later, when I was getting hundreds of rejection slips from publishers, what kept me going was nothing I had learned in a college classroom, but rather those two simple sentences spoken by my mother:  ‘John, God has given you a talent.  You must guard it and use it wisely.’ ”

In March 2017, Peterson lost his home and studio in a prairie fire. His response was that of Job.  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21).  The fire did not end Hank’s adventures.

Perseverance can be your story in Christ. “In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:12-13).

If you give one of Erickson’s books, you’ll add a new adventure story to the life of a child. But this story is about you, faith, and perseverance.  Draw from that deep well of hope and strength to live well and finish strong.

The words “Go away!” are not exactly welcoming.  Is it fair to say that to someone that loves you and wants the best for you?  What if that someone is God?

One time, some fishermen plied their trade all night, to no avail.  Morning found them stowing their gear near the lake, but based on a tip they decided to try again.  This time they netted so many fish that their two boats began to sink.  The fishermen were Peter, James and John.  The tipster was Jesus.

You might think they would jump for joy, and thank Jesus for a true fishing tale!  But Peter’s response was, “Go away from me Lord.”  Humility seized him such that he added, “for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5).  He was in the presence of the One that knew his heart.  Isaiah had the same reaction when he had a vision of the Lord sitting on a throne.  “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5).  He had seen the King and became self-conscious.

Popular culture encourages distance from God, but not because of humility.  Pop singer Gloria Estefan’s song “Go Away” says, “Thoughts of you won’t ever cross my mind.  It’s the truth, don’t mean to be unkind.  ‘Cause people have the right to party and you won’t let them have their fun.”  God is a pleasure-snatcher, so let’s put Him out of our minds.

Modern entertainment cheapens the idea of fun and pleasure to the point of being double-minded.  Look no farther than playboy Hugh Hefner, hailed as an American icon in his passing, yet Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein is a pariah when he acts on the values Hefner portrayed.  They would have you face the final curtain and declare with Sinatra, “I did it my way.”

To draw near to God is to find deep and abiding joy.   He wants you to be adopted into His family through Jesus, to hope in Christ, and to receive an eternal inheritance, “to the praise of his glory!” (Eph. 1:6,12,14).  God is good, and is good to you.  But if your life is a pursuit of what feels good, you’ll miss that.  Only God can weave the tapestry of your life and the lives of people around you into eternal good, even if the process doesn’t feel fun in the moment.  Considering that, why live as though you want Him to go away?  Be careful what you ask for.

Jesus didn’t go away when Peter asked.  But later, Peter did not repeat the request when he witnessed the majesty, honor, and glory of Jesus (2 Pet. 1:16-17).  By faith, Peter drew near to God.  Peter is smart.  Be like Peter.