When I was twelve my best friend showed me the book she was reading. I had never heard of it, but it was a Christian fiction book. She offered to let me borrow it, but it was in the middle of a series and I knew I had to start at the beginning. So on my next library trip, I found book one in The Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that series changed my life.
I grew up in a Christian home and became a believer at a very young age. My parents took me to church, read the Bible, and taught me right from wrong. 
But reading this series was different. It was about teenagers – people my age – who were really living for God. They prayed about decisions, studied the Bible for themselves, went on mission trips, and really loved Jesus.
That was different. Even though it was a story, they felt like real people to me. I watched them go through struggles, celebrations, and major life events. It gave me a real example of following Jesus in everyday life.
That spoke to my heart. God used it in my life to show me how to draw close to Him, not just to live with a list of do’s and don’ts.
After that I read more Christian fiction. More stories where characters trusted God in hard times. Stories where people came to know Jesus and follow Him. Stories where people found hope in the cross. And those books grew up with me as I read stories of teenagers, and college students, and adults.
I knew that those were the kinds of stories I wanted to write. Stories of faith and hope. Stories of light in the darkness. Stories of trust and belief in God.
I write Christian fiction because that’s what God has called me to do. Do I read stories that don’t have a faith-based story line? Yes, I do. Have I tried to write books without a faith-based story line? Yes, I have, but it didn’t work out. I spent a long time working on the outline for a book and it just wasn’t happening. I planned for it to just be a “clean, sweet” book. I struggled with that outline until The Lord reminded me why I write what I write. I put Jesus back in the center and the story fell right into place. So even though I think there is a place for those stories, this is my calling.
God uses fiction in my real life to teach me truths and to draw me closer to Him. In the Bible, Jesus used parables to explain things to people, and I’m certain He still uses stories to teach people today.
I pray that my stories will be an encouragement to those who read them. And just maybe someone’s life will be changed, the same way mine was.
What have you learned through fiction that has applied to your real life?
Hannah Jo Abbott is a wife, a mom of four, a homeschool teacher, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She loves writing stories about life, love, and the grace of God. She finds inspiration and encouragement from reading the stories others share. Hannah lives with her husband and children in Sweet Home Alabama.
I have to say truth and patience.
I could have written every word of this post myself! It completely reflects how I feel. Christian fiction has encouraged me in courage and perseverance. It also helps me realise that we are part of the most epic story ever. The great Hero of the universe has already won! And our happily ever after is sealed and sure. :-)
Christian fiction has played a huge part in drawing and keeping me close to Jesus. I read on my kindle every night before bed (and sometimes if I wake in the night). Sets my mind and heart in the right place❤️
All That Really Matters was a book that had a huge impact on me! Realizing the more important things in life…people!
I would love to visit Germany. My Great Grandparents immigrated from there.
I’ve read CF since the early 80’s. For me, it’s helped me live a Christian life while working with people who, even if they said they were Christians didn’t live any differently from the ones not professing to believe anything.
Everything you said here is why I read Christian fiction! There’s been many times when the characters were struggling in the same area or problem as I was & it helped me get through it, or characters who were reminded of God’s amazing grace and mercy, or seeing characters come to give their hearts to Christ (that always makes me cry). Just those reminders of why I serve God is absolutely necessary to my own walk.
Every once in awhile I do read “sweet & clean” books, but I don’t feel they have the same depth as CF….they are a good story, but they do nothing for my faith. I’m certainly not putting down those type of books, because sometimes I’m in the mood for that type of story. Something light and sweet to pass the time. It’s like having a piece of candy every once in a while…..it doesn’t sustain you, it’s just something to satisfy a sweet tooth.
I’m so thankful for writers who let God shine through the pages & aren’t afraid to tackle some hard things in life to show how we NEED to rely on God to get through it! You have no idea how much impact you can have or how God can speak to a reader through your words. I’ve always felt like writing was a ministry & a perfect opportunity to present the gospel to the world! :-)
Can I just say, I enjoy this post SO much? It encourages me to know that you as an author care about the kind of stories you write & that you want shine the light of Christ in the pages. May God bless you in all your writing endeavors!
Robin Jones Gunn’s Glenbrooke series was very inspirational for me. I completely agree with you that Christian fiction can be life changing!
those are good lessons to learn :-)
I’m so glad you’ve had this experience too. It’s such a wonderful gift!
I love that! I’ve been trying to feed my mind with something good before going to bed too. Sweet dreams!
I haven’t read that, I’ll look it up!
I’m so glad it’s been an encouragement for you!
Thank you so much! It’s nice to know that what we write is needed AND wanted. So thankful that God called me to do this and is reaching people with the words He gives.
I love the Glenbrooke series! Alissa from “Sunsets” is first mentioned in the Christy Miller series. I loved reading her story after reading about her years before.
redemption and forgiveness
I’ve learned quite a bit from Christian fiction, the main thing has been how following Christ isn’t meant to be compartmentalized into certain parts of your life but into your whole life. I think reading stories with characters who share your struggles can open our eyes in so many ways.
I have learned many things but especially that we aren’t alone in our struggles.
The last one I read (The One Who Wrote Away by Joanna Alonzo) reminded me of the beauty of laying down our lives to Jesus through the different seasons in our life, as well as that growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s rather found in the daily nurturing by God’s hand.
So thankful for authors like you :)!
Several things… From the saga the chronicles of Narnia that I read at the age of eight I learned about faith in the figure of Lucy and forgiveness: how Im hate Edmund in “the Lion the witch and the wardrobe” hahaha and how I loved him in the “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” having matured and become a faithful follower of Aslan and a great big brother.
The Fairy Oak saga are just preteen clean fantasy books but they taught me about friendship in a time when I suffered from bullying and had no friends. They are also responsible for believing that an older boy may be in love with a younger girl and that does not mean that he is going to push her to do impure things.
I didn’t have much Christian fiction available back then … I wish I had more, the rest of the books I read in that teenage era were really just nice candies that didn’t teach me much. Little Princess was another important book for me … a girl who remained kind in the face of adversity and in the end receives her reward.
Today I have loved Julie Klassen’s books and have recently been reading contemporary Christian fiction so I have no favorite authors yet! But I will always say that the books I read in my preadolescence / adolescence are the ones that marked me the most.
I love Robins books and Love the Sisterchick books the friendship even from afar is something to aspire to and its something I share with a few friends too.
As a teen it was the Peggy books by Dorothy Martin that I read and re read so many times. Then I got out of reading and it was Janette Oke’s When Calls the heart that got me back to reading. So many books have shown so many things. Like its ok to make mistakes, And prayer works. There are some books with a downside especially if you are single and the heroine is still single approaching 30 a few books I read made it sound like being single is a sin and there is something wrong with you. but on a whole many show God is in control even when things are not going how we imagined.
I’ve learned that there is a happy ending if you keep trying & just be patient.
There is many things but most I learnt on my own but you need to learn some on your own like to relax & always be helpful when needed.
Hi, Hannah Jo!
Oh, what a post. That you have had so clear a calling and been able to nurture it for so long is so precious and amazing. While I have found many places and ways to serve over the years, I have never had so clear a drive and sense of gifting as yours. That is such a treasure.
I think that what I have learned from Christian stories falls into two categories. On the one hand, I am blessed just by the fact that these stories are told with the Christian worldview. God is present and acknowledged by the characters. Their decisions take His truth into account. On the other hand, I have been blessed specifically by seeing characters either experience something I’m going through or I have seen them live out their faith in some way that speaks directly to my heart.
The first category is where an author can be intentional in their storytelling. The second category is more about how the Holy Spirit uses the details of the story to touch my heart. A recent example was a character who cried out to God about the agony of their experience. It broke through a bit of my own heart’s walls and helped me to be vulnerable and trust my Heavenly Father with some of my own pain. It was a blessing. Another example is my ongoing search to understand what it means that God has my back. The examples I see in Christian fiction are helping me to build my understanding bit by bit.
So, thank you so much for what you do! Keep up the good work.
Christy Miller series had a great impact on my life as well! I didn’t read them until I was in college, but they still served a great purpose in my life. My 14 year old niece is currently making her way through the series and I can’t wait until my 11 year old daughter becomes interested in them! It’s still a favorite series and led me to the Glenbrooke series and then Christy Miller college years, newlywed, and married years.
Thank you for writing Christian fiction!
It’s encouraging and inspiring!