Write2Ignite

Clem the Clumsy Camel

When my son was a toddler I bought him the book, Clem the Clumsy Camel for Christmas. He and I both loved the book. In fact, we still do. My son keeps the book among his treasures. During the Christmas season each year, it is pulled out and re-read.

Clumsy Clem Had a Problem

In this children’s book we learn the story of a clumsy camel named Clem. Poor Clem. It seems he had quite the problem. Especially for a camel. You see, for the life of him, Clem could not figure out how to kneel to the ground without falling over. He was too clumsy.

Clumsy Clem’s Chance

Clem tried really hard. Honest he did. But even with all his effort, he still stumbled and fell. Until one night, that is. That night, Wise Men following a star needed to purchase camels. Clem’s owner saw it as his chance to rid himself of the clumsy camel. He eagerly sold Clem to the Wise Men.

Clem’s Clumsiness Disappears

After the Wise Men arrived at the place where young Jesus was, Clem observed how the wise men bowed before the child. Following their lead, Clem bowed too. In the presence of Christ, Clem’s clumsiness disappeared. With Jesus looking on, Clem bowed with grace for the first time in his life.

Like Clem

At times we may feel clumsy. When we write, the words just don’t seem to have the punch we are aiming for. Maybe our efforts are off the mark, and we can’t quite figure out why.

We’ve taken the classes. Read the books. Attended the conferences. We’ve watched others advance in their writing. Still. We aren’t seeing the progress we hoped for.

We may try hard to do the right thing. But we stumble and fall. Like Clem, we must not give up, though. We must keep trying. We must come into Jesus’ presence and kneel before his grace.

Because of the gift we received at Jesus’ birth, and our relationship with him, we are able to get up when we trip over our clumsy writing selves. When our best efforts fall short and we don’t understand why, by God’s grace, he gives us as many tries as it takes for us to pick our self up, dust our self off, and try once more.

Your Turn

Does Clem’s story encourage you to keep trying and not give up? Is there a child in your life who may be feeling a little clumsy and unsure, who you believe needs encouragement not to give up? Then I recommend you find yourself a copy of Clem the Clumsy Camel, snuggle in close, and read it together. And what better time than Christmas to read it?

And so they left, and on their way they saw the same star they had seen in the East. When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs! It went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him. Matthew 2:9-11 GNT

If you missed my review last month of the children’s picture book, A Turkey for Thanksgiving, you can find it here. And if you’d like to read another Christmas book review, you can go here.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Hello, everyone. As a new writer for Write2Ignite, here’s what you can expect from me in the coming months. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.