“I was a good girl.
I helped my ima with the chores and took care of my baby brother Zaccheus. I was kind to those around me. I prayed to Jehovah and listened intently to my abba when he read from the Torah. I did everything I was told to do. From the outside, I was doing everything right. Or so I thought.
But inside I was selfish and self-centered. And maybe a bit prideful. My actions shouted, ‘Look at me! Aren’t I virtuous? What an example of a righteous life I am!’
If I were to be honest, my insides — my heart — did not match my actions. I thought only of myself and my own comfort. What would make me happy? Who would make me happy?
I had many friends, especially Jonas, the boy who was raised from the dead by the prophet Elisha. We spent our days laughing and playing by a nearby stream. We fished and basked in the sun, carefree and content. Trouble was not a word we understood. Tragedy had not yet touched our lives.
My facade continued until one day, we heard of the invasion by the Syrian army in nearby villages. A runner came through the center of Shunem town to spread the news. Fear rose up in our hearts. Would it happen to us? Family members held each other more closely. We planned for the possibility of an invasion. What would we bring? Where would we flee?
All this was for naught, because when the time came, it caught us unawares. Life would never be the same. Especially for this girl with a selfish heart . . .”
If there were a backstory to The Heart Changer, you’ve just read it. It ends where my story of Miriam begins. And I suddenly realized that I’d described my own selfish heart. What a revelation!
I am learning (finally) that trials God allows into our lives are for a purpose — to make us dependent on Him, and mold us to be like His Son. When life is on an even keel, I tend to relax— both physically and spiritually. But God knows an easy life will not conform me to His Son, my Lord Jesus Christ, nor will it cause me to cling to Him and grow in my faith.
I’m reminded of this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:17:
“For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”
It will be worth it, when I see Jesus and hear Him say: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” ~ Matthew 25:23
Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what she could imagine.
This middle-grade historical novel reflects the heartache and angst of a young refugee in a foreign land where all hope seems lost.
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Jarm (‘J’ pronounced as a ‘Y’) Del Boccio finds her inspiration in everyday life, but in particular, when she travels the globe, observing the quirky things that happen along the way. Focusing on lives of characters from the past, Jarm is devoted to breathing new life into the pages of history, and offers her young readers hope, heart, and a real life hero.
Jarm loves to travel, is passionate about visiting new places and determined never visit the same location twice. Unfortunately, sometimes she has to break her own rule. Having journeyed to six out of seven continents, she’s slowly checking off destinations on her bucket list. Jarm’s next dream destination is a stay in a Mongolian yurt with plenty of yak milk to drink!
Jarm taught Kindergarten and high school art/home economics, served as school librarian, and later, nannied a four year old girl. But her greatest challenge was educating three missionary children in an isolated bush village in Papua New Guinea, without the benefit of modern conveniences.
Jarm Del Boccio is content with the journey God has placed her on, and lives with her husband, adult daughter and son (when he lands at home), in a tree-lined suburb of Chicago. Her debut middle-grade historical fiction, The Heart Changer released with Ambassador International April 26th, and recently won the Illuminations Silver Medal Award in the Children’s/YA category. You can connect with Jarm at her website.
Jarm is available to speak at schools, book talks, and other speaking engagements. Contact her here. Or on social media:
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