Develop a Grander Picture of Our Global Family (#BookGiveaway)

It’s far-too-easy to get caught up in our own little world and forget we’re a part of a grander picture.

It's far-too-easy to get caught up in our own little world and forget we're a part of a grander picture. Share on X

Early in my editing career, I obtained a freelance job with a company that published travel guides. This position allowed me to see the world without ever leaving my home.

It brought me joy and insight as I visited places different from where I called home.

Even before I started my own family, I knew I wanted to travel with them. To explore various environments, to meet different people, to experience other cultures. However, as life goes sometimes, circumstances prevented us from traversing too far too often.

Still there were opportunities for “visiting” other places. Yet I’m sad to say I never gave much thought to intentionally expanding my children’s global-mindedness in other less-taxing ways until they were starting to stretch their own wings.

That’s when I realized my oversight.

Shrinking World, Expanding Influence, Global Family

We live in a world that is shrinking. The definition of neighbor is expanding. No longer do we interact only with those who share our climate, pastimes, vocations, or even language.

That’s a good thing. God created all of us. We’re a part of a global family, whether we like it or not … whether we can relate or not.

We’re called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We’re called to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15).

We are called to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. It is easier to do now than ever before. Share on X

And it’s easier to do now than ever before.

But how can we interact with and share hope and love to those who act and talk and live differently? How do we influence and impact a culture we know nothing about?

To bring the gospel to the corners of the earth, we need to be aware of our brothers and sisters around the globe. We need to have some understanding of the world.

To love others as we’re called to, we need to have at least a little knowledge of what love looks like to someone living in another culture. We can no longer be content with being aware simply of our immediate surroundings.

It’s time to prepare our children (and ourselves) to understand, empathize, and relate with our brothers, sisters,  and neighbors who live across the ocean.

A Wonderful Resource for Understanding the World

I wish I had done better at intentionally introducing our children to those in distant lands. So when I was offered an opportunity to review and giveaway a copy of Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time by Jamie C. Martin, I jumped at it.

A masterful resource for parents, Give Your Child the World, opens with the author’s backstory and how God brought love, connection, and compassion to her in a miraculous and global way. It’s fascinating to look back and see God’s hand so obviously active in Martin’s early life, reminding me that the same is true in each of our lives.

Part One continues with one of my favorite chapters, Practical Ways to Invite the World into Your Home. The author fills this chapter with a myriad of simple ideas that make a big difference in developing global mindedness in our families.

Wow, if I had only possessed this book 15 years ago!

I’ve long agreed with Jamie that story and reading to our children is a powerful and rewarding way to connect and shape our children. Like her, I believe in reading aloud to our children far after they become independent readers.

In fact, I’m still reading to my two youngest who are 15 and 18.

To “help you make reading a natural part of your family’s life,” the first part of Give Your Child the World concludes with suggestions for developing a story-solid foundation.

An Invaluable Guide

The rest of this wonderful resource consists of lists, summaries, and personal notations of hundreds of books that will bring the world to your family. These book lists are divided into age groups (4-6, 6-8, 8-10, and 10-12) within chapters representing different continents or areas of the world, with one general multicultural chapter.

One of the most useful aspects of this book are the extensive indexes, with books listed by title, historical time period, country/region, and author. With the ability to cross-reference by time and region, you’ll always find the perfect book for your circumstances.

With this guide, you will have at your fingertips an invaluable resource to connect the next generation with our far-flung neighbors.

Jamie C. Martin believes in the power of story to develop our children’s awareness, empathy, and compassion for others around the globe. In her words, “What we have in common with our worldwide neighbors far outweighs what separates us.”

Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time is a book I wish I would have had years ago. But global-mindedness is a timely concept to weave into our lives at any age; therefore, I have no doubt I will be referencing this resource for years to come.

Now you can too. 

Develop a grander picture of our global family. Win #GiveYourChildtheWorld #giveaway @jamie_cmartin @TheBlogSpotCom Share on X

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3

Reflections: Have you intentionally cultivated global-mindedness with your children? If so, how did you do it? If not, what would have helped you make it a priority?

Going on 5 years of counting and I’ve passed 5,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #5189–5209. Read my entire list by clicking here.