Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Is there anything special about your name? Why do you think you were given that name?
My parents gave me the name Miriam or Maryam in Hebrew. It means “beloved, but also rebellious and bitter.” I was the beloved first child, and although I was a girl, I was cherished. Maybe a bit too much? I was independent and selfish, and, to be honest, proud at times. But when Abba Father took ahold of my heart and squeezed it, well, bitterness came out. It had to happen before He could change my heart.
What does a day in Shunemtown look like for you? What do you like or dislike about your life?
Ima gave me many jobs each day to keep me out of trouble. I liked sweeping the dirt floors in our humble home that served also as a stable for one donkey, a goat, sheep and four chickens. I didn’t like the chickens—they were messy and and stunk awfully! I brought them food and cleaned their pens. Ugh!
I also helped Ima prepare our simple meals of bread, dates, goat’s cheese and occasional lamb during the holy festivals. I loved our marketplace in the center of town, so when Ima asked me to buy some fruit and vegetables, I immediately obeyed!
Who are the special people in your life?
My Ima and Abba —and of course, my baby brother Zacheus. Oh, and my friend Jonas, the widow’s son, whom Elisha the prophet brought back to life.
What is your heart’s deepest desire?
I know I can be selfish and hard-hearted at times, especially when it comes to chores. Obedience isn’t easy, especially when I have to put aside MY wants and do the things my Ima has assigned to me. Although I love my baby brother, taking care of him is a full-time job. I can’t go out and play on the hills with Jonas and my other friends when I’m responsible for him.
I wished—no—I prayed I’d learn to be unselfish, not always wanting my own way. But that meant Jehovah God had to discipline me because He loves me. But I wasn’t ready for what the future held—how it came about. I wanted my light to shine for Jehovah, no matter where I was, so when I was captured and sold to Naaman, the captain of the Syrian army, I learned the hard way. But, in the end, I made a difference in my master’s household. They now believe in the one true God!
What are you most afraid of?
Losing my family and my home has been my greatest fear. They meant more to me than anything —well, except for our Abba Father in Heaven! But I held onto hope in those dark days of captivity. I discovered if you have hope, you have everything you need!
Do you have a cherished possession?
Well yes, I have three.
The leather collar from my pet lamb, who was taken for a sacrifice during our Day of Atonement. I wept bitterly, especially knowing he died for my sins. Just thinking about it now, years later, still makes me cry.
Then, there was a simple blue cloth my ima wove that was used to swaddle me at birth. The blood stain brought to mind the pain my dear Ima bore to give me life.
Lastly, a dried pomegranate flower that reminded me of our garden back home, which I miss dreadfully!
All three were lost when the soldiers destroyed our village years ago.
I’m sorry to hear that. What do you expect the future will hold for you?
Although I’m not quite sure, but I think Commander Naaman is grateful for my part in his healing. Possibly, he will give me my freedom? I’ve enjoyed serving his wife, Adara, and would not want to leave her household if she still needs me. We’ve created quite a bond. Maybe someday I will marry my childhood friend, Jonas and have children of our own!
What have you learned about yourself in the course of your story?
I can make plans, but God writes my story! He knows what is best for me—what will draw my heart to Him. I would choose an easy life, but I know myself—I would forget my God and go my own way if life was trouble-free.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
Yes. I thought being separated from my family and taken captive to Syria would have been the worst thing that could happen to me, but I was wrong! Having a hard and unforgiving heart displeases God my Father and makes me miserable, knowing I have not let my light shine as I should.
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
- As a former educator and librarian, Jarm Del Boccio gives young readers a fresh perspective of history, offering them a real-life hero in her award-winning middle-grade novel, The Heart Changer.
Now, in her silver years, Jarm looks forward—not backward. With transparency, resourcefulness, and passion, Jarm helps maturing women flourish for God’s glory. www.jarmdelboccio.com/
You can find a teacher’s guide and book trailer here: https://www.jarmdelboccio.com/my-books.html