Introducing Gruntbrush!
This character was imagined and created into a wonderfully fun children's book written by my son Noah Merritt. Noah is a great artist himself, but he really wanted me to illustrate it, and I have had a blast taking his descriptions and drawing a whole town of hilarious characters. "Gruntbrush Goes To Town" is just the start, as Noah has many ideas of other adventures for this beloved... um... whatever he is. Here is our promo blurb, which will go out when we are ready to publish-"Gruntbrush exists, and sometimes, sadly, he exists around other people. Gruntbrush may not be a species we have seen before, but he is a timeless character that readers young and old will enjoy. As Gruntbrush isn’t affected by the things that appeal to most creatures, he meanders through life’s simple moments with his mischievous flair. While he is humorous and might even cause a reader’s hearty chuckle, he unknowingly (unwittingly?) is teaching patience, empathy, and contentment. For children ages 3 to 9."
While this book isn't a Christian themed book, it is very much a wholesome fun loving story. If there is a lesson at all to be found in it, it would be to enjoy life and be content with simple things. But Noah insists that Gruntbrush doesn't need to teach anything, and that this tag line really sums him up. "Gruntbrush exists, and sometimes, sadly, he exists around other people."
To get a little deep and personal here, this makes me think about my Noah. Because he is on the spectrum, he seems most happy when he is just left alone to think his thoughts, be creative, and work on his areas of interest. Having to be with other people can wear him out fast, and he is often concerned about social awkwardness. Just recently, he asked me, "When I speak do I make sense?" because a certain relative makes him feel like they don't want to hear from him. How this makes a mother's heart sad!
Although we all have our oddities, I love that in the Lord we find our value and purpose. He loves us the way He made us, and had gifted us so He can use us for His glory. Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
I am blessed to be an encouragement to my amazingly creative Noah, and to work with him to bring his characters to print. I don't know what the Lord will do with Gruntbrush, but I do thank Him that we can enjoy life's simple things and be content in HIM.