Girtie is a short story for children and adults with a child-like heart illustrating the loving kindness of God and true love in which transforms our lives. Girtie is blind, broken and scared. She needs to be loved but doesn't feel loveable because of unfortunate circumstances. This is like many of us until it becomes clear that God truly loves us regardless of the circumstances. Good news! God is the Master of all circumstances. There is no situation that God can't bring us through - successfully! On the other side of "through", there is forgiveness, dignity, and honor.
Symbolizing God, the Man in the Forest reaches down to rescue Girtie, but she fights back thinking he is a predator. That's how we also fight God until we learn that God only wants the best life for us. With great kindness, the Man in the Forest is relentless and convinces Girtie he is only there to help. Little did Girtie know that she was in for a life changing experience that would bring the deepest joy of living and self-worth, all because of loving kindness! Just think; all that Girtie had to do to get her best life ever was to... simply surrender!
Whitfield, Doris Rudd: - "Doris is a down-to-earth person who simply loves God. For over thirty years she has written poetry, poems, prayers, dramatizations and a love song to God entitled, "I Love You More Than Love". She was born and reared by her parents, William and Almary in Washington, DC. With the exception of losing a six year-old brother, she grew up in a Christian home with six siblings - all of whom love God. Doris comes from three generations of preachers and is herself a missionary for Jesus Christ. Her calling into missions was foretold by her father before she was born. In the early 1990's she received formal missions training and field preparation at Christians in Action (CIA), Woodlake CA sponsored by Galilee Baptist Church, Suitland, MD - under the auspices of Reverend Dr. Eugene Weathers, then pastor. At the CIA camp, Doris realized a deeper commitment as a follower of Jesus Christ and also where she met and bonded with Girtie, a blind duck in one eye. This bond continues to inspire her writings in a series of valuable life-time lessons. Doris retired in the middle 2000's after more than 40 years of employment in both the public and private sectors. During retirement she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Public Administration. As a lifetime learner, she continues to study through community colleges. She especially enjoys learning ways to boost emotional intelligence in children and young people. Doris loves nature and taking long walks. She enjoys reading the Bible, poetry, poems, dancing, music, real-life movies and plays. She loves engaging with children, especially her great grandchildren, youth, and the elderly. She continues to develop an interest in the aging process to benefit herself and others. Doris lives in Maryland with her loving husband Wayne, her biggest fan. She looks forward to writing more short stories in the Girtie series."
