Minnesota author writes Bible study based on fairy tales

So began the secret, inner story of Kim Larson. But unsurprisingly, perhaps, his innocent and imaginative vision did not transpire.

“My dream of marrying a boy from my hometown and living on a farm near my parents never came true,” writes Larson in his new book, “Unraveling Fairy Tales”. “Not having half a dozen children or being a stay-at-home mom, either. “

She married and became the mother of two sons. However, when the first union did not end “happily forever,” Larson began to search for his true prince, eventually finding that no mortal man could completely fill his heart.

“Somewhere deep inside us we know we belong to something bigger: a kingdom; and to someone greater: a king, ”she wrote. “We feel a world beyond the tangible – a spiritual world where happiness is possible forever in the here and now.”

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Kim A. Larson wrote a Bible study based on fairy tales. Special at the Forum

For years, Larson has helped people realize their dreams of buying a home as a mortgage originator. But a layoff ultimately allowed him to pursue his own nascent dream.

“I have done a lot of Bible studies over the years and have felt called to write since I had children,” she says, noting that her love for her sons “has helped me understand how not God loves us, his children ”.

“Unraveling Fairy Tales: Learning to Live Happily Ever After,” the result of years of honing writing skills and soul, helps readers come closer to God using fairy tales.

“We connect to fairy tales because of the parallels between the magical and spiritual worlds where there are strange creatures: angels, demons and an antagonist – Satan – and where an all-knowing, all-knowing, all-powerful king reigns. product to be our loving Creator and Father, ”says Larson.

“Unraveling Fairy Tales: Learning to Live Happily Forever” by Kim A. Larson. Special at the Forum

Proceeds from the book will benefit The Next Step ND, a relationship building and financial program for survivors of human trafficking.

While the book was designed primarily for women, since its publication in June 2020, she says some men in her life have enjoyed the study as well.

“Women in particular, however, struggle with their identity and self-image,” she adds, explaining that in the Cinderella chapter, she discusses our identity in Christ. “Cinderella wears rags and is a slave, but at the end of the story, she is dressed gloriously and married to the prince.”

Additionally, history reveals our transformation as we become children of God.

“We exchange our rags for the robe of righteousness of Jesus, and we become children of the king,” said Larson. “I have found many biblical correlations such as this one woven through fairy tales.”

Kim A. Larson as a baby. Special at the Forum

Larson says she designed the study to be inviting and easy to use, with personal stories of her faith journey and added lessons for real-life examples.

“Although this is a group study, the most important action will happen daily between you and God,” she says. “Of course, there is an added benefit to discussing this with others. When we share our burdens, our burdens are lightened. When we confess our struggles, we are diminishing Satan’s power over us.

Larson says she was inspired by other religious writers like Richard J. Foster of “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth,” which says our spiritual practices “position us before God to better receive Him.”

“That’s how I got into this,” she says. “I want people to be able to receive from God what he wants for them,” adding, “Without the anointing of the (Holy) Spirit it won’t do anything. It is God who moves in us.

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Pam Haugland, a life coach from Larson’s hometown, led a Bible study with the book while it was yet to be published. “She contacted me and asked me if I would be ready to do a pilot test. “

Haugland says the study “takes the fairy tales that every little girl grew up hearing and gives them a unique twist.”

“It was fun refreshing our memories on some of those fairy tales that we had completely forgotten.”

The study also helped her better understand “the character of God, how he feels for you, how he loves you and how you are intentionally created, which is the niche of my coaching,” Haugland adds. “I love helping women understand that they are sufficient and create what they are meant to be.”

For example, the chapter on “The Princess and the Pea” discusses perspective, expectations and attitude, and “Little Red Riding Hood” spiritual warfare and “how it can surprise you,” she says, while that “Little Chicken” deals with discernment and maturity and “how we can grow and learn to look at things differently, including in our journey of faith”.

Despite Larson’s inability to predict his book would coincide with a pandemic that has made group gatherings more difficult, Haugland says many people are pondering their priorities.

“One of the most frequent searches on Google right now is about faith and God,” she says. “God’s timing is perfect, and I hope he is in some way or another.”

She adds that Larson is a genuine person with “a heart for God… She’s just the sweetest girl.”

Larson’s 25-year husband, Chuck, supported her in making her dreams of writing a reality.

“It gives me great joy to see her so passionate about her writing and to see this book until the end,” he said, noting that his wife is “always there to lend an ear, to give advice in case of need and pray for people “.

“She just has in her the ability to listen to God and pass it on to others. “

Kim A. Larson with sons Jordan Doschadis (left) and Jessie Doschadis and husband Chuck Larson (far right) seen at Chirstmastime in 2019. Special for the Forum

In 2016, Larson wrote an essay in the Great American Think-Off and was chosen as a finalist.

“I’ve also had a dozen short stories and poems published in regional anthologies, including the Talking Stick,” she says.

“Unraveling Fairy Tales” is available at many online bookstores, as well as Melberg’s in Moorhead, Barnes & Noble in Fargo and via Larson’s website, where group purchases benefit from a reduced price. The first chapter can be read on its website: www.kimalarson.com.

Salonen, wife and mother of five, works as a freelance writer and speaker at Fargo. Email him at [email protected] and check out more of his work on Peace Garden Passage, http://roxanesalonen.com/.