In Sandra Jean Charite’s new book Broken Crayons Still Color: A Journey to Restoration, the author grapples with an increasingly secular world and her decision to leave the church and the journey back to God and Christianity. Broken Crayons Still Color is a collection of poems and stories written throughout the years about brokenness and restoration. Charite’s aim of the book is to show readers how growing closer to their faith can restore them from even the most shattering of setbacks.
“I left the church as a teenager and vowed never to return,” said Charite. “I eventually came to realize that my life was totally empty without God. I know that millions of people around the world have turned their back on their faith and I hope that, through sharing my own creative evangelism, I can turn them back to God’s light.”
Charite grew up in Little Haiti, Florida where she spent most of her childhood writing. Although she grew up in the church, she “shied” away from a personal relationship with God, she said. As a teenager she left the church, but eventually committed her life to Christianity.
“Often times in life, we endure many hardships and tests that leave us in a state of brokenness and we are unable to be restored,” Charite said. “Through it all, the book proves that though we are broken, God is able to renew us to fulfill the purpose established from the very beginning for our lives.”
Broken Crayons Still Color incorporates stories from the Bible and highlights individuals who were also broken in the biblical days, and illustrate their recovery with their relationship with Jesus.
“Crayons, whether broken or not, are engulfed with color until they are completely worn out and can no longer function,” Charite said. “Yet, even when they are broken, they are still able to give you the best pictures.”