Remarkable Living . . . A Fire Eater? (by Peter A. Black)

A couple of days ago our friend Donna turned up at our door with a well-presented 50-page, perfect-bound book. May and I were delighted, since we knew that this work was now published and a copy would be coming our way.

Todd, Donna’s son, is the author and he calls me his editor, although I don’t claim to be an editor, per se. However, I was honoured to work with him collaboratively on his manuscript, and to write the foreword.

Todd managed a food processing plant of a major Canadian meat products company. But in July, 2010 he suffered two massive aneurism ruptures in his brain and also a stroke, requiring intricate emergency brain surgeries.

He and his family began a long, long journey of adapting and coming to terms with a new reality. The simplest task can be excruciatingly difficult, for he remains completely paralyzed down one side. Thankfully, his speech is clear, his intellect intact and his humour sharper than a tack.

Remarkable Living in an Unremarkable World is Todd Charter’s personal account of his journey into those medical crises, through to his current stage of recovery and present focus in life.

The idiomatic language, humour and voice are all his, but so are the passion, commitment and expression of faith in Jesus Christ.

A photo in the book shows Todd, intense concentration written all over his face, indicating his extreme difficulty in taking every ponderous step, fulfilling a long-cherished dream of walking the first of his four daughters down the aisle—at least the last part of it—to meet her groom at the altar.

Nothing could hide the sheer joy and delight rising from his heart, as beaming from ear to ear and glowing cheeks, he embraced his firstborn in a Father and Bride dance at the reception.  (One down—three to go!)

Incidentally, Todd’s wife, Ange, is a niece of Cal Bombay, who served for some years in missions related ministries with (the now late) David Mainse, founder of Crossroads (CTS) and 100 Huntley Street media ministry.

Todd Charters’ desire is that people experiencing trying circumstances will receive encouragement and find hope in trusting God and His unfailing love to lead them through their trials, and that their lives will have deep meaning and purpose.

Volumes, the publisher of  Remarkable Living . . .  doesn’t have the book’s page up yet, so my utilitarian shots of the cover will have to do for now.

The front cover pictures Todd as though he were eating fire, but the back cover hints at an explanation of the front. The caption is in capitals:

WHEN LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE, DO THE FLAMES CONSUME YOU, OR ARE YOU A FIRE EATER?

Good question.

Todd, a Christ-follower, has come to understand that by God’s grace:

“. . . suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5 NIV).

~~+~~

If you or a friend could benefit from a copy of this inexpensive humour-tinged inspirational story,

Todd Charters can be contacted at:

• toddc640@gmail.com 
• Facebook . . . Todd Charters

~~+~~

Peter A. Black is a retired pastor  -  well, sort of  -  and lives in Southwestern Ontario. He writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column, P-Pep! and is author of Raise Your Gaze ... Mindful Musings of a Grateful Heart, and Parables from the Pond. ~~+~~