Our Lamplighter Collection continues to grow! We just completed Joseph's Shield, a wonderful story from 1888 by Pansy.

This short story retails for $17 and is a mere 98 pages, making it an easy afternoon read. As a matter of fact, we turned our dismal rainy weekend into an adventure with young Joseph as he spent a year dedicated to applying God's Word to his daily affairs.

Although identified as appropriate for ages 6-11, this treasure is a simple, eloquently written tale certain to please both young and old alike.  Joseph, a young orphan, wrestles with his promise to his older sister that he would learn a single verse each month and apply it to his life. He chuckles as he initially settles on the most absurd or the least likely verses to be applicable to anything, such as Am I my brother's keeper when he has no brother. Much to his dismay, God's Word will never return void and Joseph quickly discovers that not only is God's Word applicable, but His Spirit is always near to remind him so.

Joseph continually finds himself in predicaments and temptations that quickly identify his true character. The kids (and I) really enjoyed witnessing his struggles and triumphs as he faced each precarious situation. We have found ourselves not only fond of Joseph, but also have recognized the "Joseph" in each of us in our own daily affairs. Our son, 6, noticed that his sister’s artwork was sitting on the table when he sat down with a snack. He quickly got up and moved her artwork to a safe place because he was certain that she would not want anything to spill on it. This, and countless other deeds took place after Joseph pondered Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. In the story, Joseph was reminded that blessing and honor could just as well be every little thing we do, or keep from doing, because we think it would please Him.

It has been a delight to watch our own children apply God's Word to their lives and Joseph's Shield brought a new and realistic perspective as to how that plays out. This is one of those tales that we will read again and again.

-Product review by Nancy Mayes, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May, 2017