Teaching Kids to See with Love: The Heart Behind He Chose You by Rachel Harrison

Rachel Harrison is a follower of Jesus, devoted wife and mother, who has called Tuscaloosa home for nearly thirteen years. She shares her life with her wonderful best friend and husband, Brian Harrison, and their six beautiful children. Rachel recently celebrated the release of her first self-published book, He Chose You, a heartfelt story inspired by their special needs daughter, Anna Pruitt. Through her writing, Rachel seeks to share hope, faith, and the beauty found in life’s most unexpected journeys, touching hearts with her authentic voice and deep love for her family:

“I am excited to announce that I have published my little story about Anna Pruitt. I wrote this is 2016 after personally navigating and battling heart hurt as a result of the ugly comments, stares/points and fearful reactions to her outward appearance. I think it was mostly written as a reminder to my own heart—of her immense worth and value. I’ve since, of course, edited it as she has grown up and it’s been almost 10 years since it was first written. 

I let fear of not even knowing how to put this on to a page or into illustrations keep me from stepping forward in courage with my HOPE to help teach children that not everyone looks like you; but every one, and I mean everyone, has dignity and worth as image bearers of the Holy God! I pray, mostly, that this book glorifies Jesus Christ while also helping educate children, and adults alike, how wonderful a gift we’ve been given by these special needs children. I pray these tangible pages open a dialogue between parents and their children about how different some people look and act, but also how much more they enrich our faith and stir us to marvel at Jesus’ wonderful works displayed in them! 

{John 9

‘1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’}

Also, a very, very special thank you to the beautiful Mithini Wathsala, who I had the privilege of collaborating with. She took my vision and designed these beautiful illustrations from across the globe; and came up with the most perfect images to represent this special book. It was an honor to get to know her and share the Gospel story of Jesus Christ in AP’s life.”

You can purchase copies of He Chose You by Rachel Harrison at: www.lulu.com