Scenario:An author named Joshua was so driven into becoming a success that he stopped caring about everyone but himself. And then his son, who was driving home from a teenage party, was killed by a drunk driver. Josh was so angry that he started to blame everyone for what happened—including his own wife.
It almost ended their marriage, and Josh was on the brink of losing everything, until he recovers an old leather journal from his dying great-grandfather, saying he went what Josh is going through: he, too, was gonna lose everything because of his greedy, selfish needs when he was Josh’s age until he sought God’s help, grace, love, and forgiveness, and encouraged Josh to do the same.
Josh didn’t understand at first, but after reading quotes from the scriptures his great-grandfather required him to read, he immediately became ashamed of his wrongdoings and asked God to forgive, redeem, and help him.
After that, it felt like a lifelong weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Josh became a new man and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He saved his marriage, repaired his relationships with those he hurted, and cleared out his office giving up his dreams of becoming a successful author.
And it all began with a journal Josh’s great-grandfather called “God’s Journal.”
Create my version of this story
An author named Joshua was so driven into becoming a success that he stopped caring about everyone but himself. And then his son, who was driving home from a teenage party, was killed by a drunk driver. Josh was so angry that he started to blame everyone for what happened—including his own wife.
It almost ended their marriage, and Josh was on the brink of losing everything, until he recovers an old leather journal from his dying great-grandfather, saying he went what Josh is going through: he, too, was gonna lose everything because of his greedy, selfish needs when he was Josh’s age until he sought God’s help, grace, love, and forgiveness, and encouraged Josh to do the same.
Josh didn’t understand at first, but after reading quotes from the scriptures his great-grandfather required him to read, he immediately became ashamed of his wrongdoings and asked God to forgive, redeem, and help him.
After that, it felt like a lifelong weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Josh became a new man and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He saved his marriage, repaired his relationships with those he hurted, and cleared out his office giving up his dreams of becoming a successful author.
And it all began with a journal Josh’s great-grandfather called “God’s Journal.”
Joshua
He is an author who sacrificed relationships for success. He is ambitious,regretful,and determined. Joshua's life changed after his son's death,driving him to blame everyone but himself. His father gave him an old journal,urging him to seek God's forgiveness. Joshua read scripture and felt ashamed of his selfish ways. He apologized to his family,restored his marriage,and reevaluated his priorities,becoming a devoted Christian.
Joshua's Father
He is a wise and experienced man who handed down a journal to Joshua. He is compassionate,understanding,and spiritually grounded. After facing similar challenges when he was young,he created the journal to guide Joshua through his struggles. His gift had a profound impact on Joshua,encouraging him to reflect on his actions and seek redemption and spiritual growth.
Joshua's Mother
She is the mother of Joshua’s father and a woman who deeply cared for her family. She is selfless,empathetic,and strongwilled. Her influence was felt through the journal given by Joshua’s father,as she was remembered for putting everyone else before herself even in her final moments with cancer,leaving a legacy of love and unity in the family.
I was so driven to succeed that I didn’t care who I hurt along the way.
I had become a horrible husband, and my kids barely recognized me as their father.
My mother had passed away years ago, and my father had given up on trying to even talk to me.
I was headed for a crash—and I didn’t even care.
Then my teenage son was killed by a drunk driver while driving home from a party.
The only thing I could think of when I received the news was, This is someone else’s problem.
I’m busy.
And then I thought, Why are you bothering me with this?
It’s not my fault.
I didn’t make him get behind the wheel of that car.
I didn’t make the other guy drive drunk.
It wasn’t my problem.
But it was my problem.
Because he was my son, and his death shattered me in ways I never could have imagined.
I thought I would be angry at God.
And in many ways, I was.
But mostly, I was just angry at everyone—and everything—for a while.
My wife tried to stay with me through the grief, but I pushed her away along with everyone else.
I walk into the kitchen at midnight, unable to sleep again.
The moonlight catches the fabric of his favorite chair, still pulled out at an angle like he’d just gotten up.
Running my fingers along the backrest, I remember how he’d slouch there doing homework, headphones on, tapping his foot to music.
The chair scrapes against the floor as I pull it out further.
My hands shake as I lower myself into his spot.
The cushion still holds the slight indent from his weight.
A half-finished math worksheet lies forgotten in the drawer beneath the table.
I finally allow myself to cry.
Through my tears, I notice the chair wobbling beneath me.
The old wooden seat creaks ominously as I shift my weight.
My son always complained about this rickety chair.
I grip the edges to steady myself, but the wood gives way with a sharp crack.
I tumble backwards onto the kitchen floor, pieces of splintered wood scattered around me.
As I push myself up, rubbing my bruised elbow, something white catches my eye among the broken pieces.
Wedged inside the hollow chair leg is a folded envelope, yellowed with age.
