Main Character Monday: Interview with Clarence (Ren) Lyman

Welcome to today’s Main Character Monday and my interview with Clarence (Ren) Lyman. I’ve already checked with our guest, and he’s fine with me calling him Ren from here on out. Ren is from A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby. A Slight Change of Plans is the second in her Best-laid Plans series published by Scrivenings Press. I’ll give you the link to find out more about this book at the end of the interview.

For now, let’s dive in with Ren Lyman. Welcome, Ren. I like my readers to get to know a bit about my guests before we tackle other questions. Can you share a little about yourself?

There’s not much to tell. I don’t really like talking much. Except to God. I’m more a do’er.

Though it might make interviewing a little difficult, I can appreciate that. Tell me something about you that readers may find surprising?

When I left home, my mom handed me a list of Bible verses on a piece of paper to refer to. I carry it in my pocket everywhere I go.

I love that! A small gift in worldly terms, but the greatest gift we could have. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

I have to pick just one? (Groan) Each day is different. But one that I have repeated often to myself would be Joshua 1:9 – For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

That is a wonderful reminder. You have an ever-changing verse favorite, but is there a person from the Bible that you relate to most?

When I was a child, I couldn’t play outside during breaks, so I would read the stories in the Bible. I wanted to be strong and fearless like David.

He’s a good one to be like for many reasons. I’d love to know why you couldn’t play outside, but I have a list of questions to get through before we’re done. So, I’ll have to wait for your book to satisfy my curiosity. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Is there one of these characteristics you find is easier to show than the others?

Patience and self-control. You have to have both when you’re a blacksmith. It takes time to mold and form metal into the shapes required. Strength to pound out the imperfections so the workmanship will hold.

Wow. Sometimes I feel like that is a picture of us. God allowing life to pound out the imperfections so His shape will hold in us. Is there one that is more challenging than the others?

All of them. But first. Patience and self-control. I wanted to be a blacksmith more than anything. Like my father and my brothers. But my right hand couldn’t hold the tools right. I had to learn how to do it with my left-hand. Which was weaker. I had to have patience and self-control with myself to get stronger and learn new ways to hold things so I could stay in the forge. Of course many townsfolk didn’t approve of me using my left-hand. I had to hide what I did. They weren’t kind to me or my family. I had to dig deep to find any of the ones you mentioned. It’s not easy living the fruit of the spirit when the people around you don’t embrace those things. And I did. Once God led me to Washton.

Now I’m really interested in your story. It sounds like you’ve experienced a lot. If you could give one message to those reading this interview, what would you tell them?

Do not worry about tomorrow. Focus on today. Worry steals your joy. And joy isn’t about happiness. It’s about finding a peace within even when there is chaos all around you.

I’m glad you clarified. So many, even today, maybe even more today, confuse joy and happiness. Now I’d like to have some fun. These next questions aren’t deep, just answer however strikes first. If you could visit just one place your entire life, where would you go?

Oh, I don’t know. I’m pretty content staying here in Washton. With the trains now, I feel like I could go anywhere. I’d love to visit my family. See them in person.

If you could choose one talent you don’t already have, what talent would you choose?

A way with babies. I’m big and brawny. And my hands are messed up from working in the forge. I don’t feel like I’m very gentle. But I want to be.

Dark or Milk Chocolate? I have never heard of dark or milk chocolate. Isn’t chocolate just chocolate?

Beach or Mountains? I’ve never seen the beach, but I do love looking at the hills around us. It keeps my eyes looking up.

Sweet Tea or Lemonade? I have to choose one? My mom made a delicious sweet tea. But lemonade reminds me of Jenny.

One final question. If you could describe Denise M. Colby, the woman who brought your story to life, in only three words, how would you do it?

Persistent. Faithful. Chatterbox.

Thank you so much for this interview Ren. I appreciate you giving me and my readers a few of your words today. You may not love talking, but you have some great things to say.

Readers, stick with me because I’m going to introduce you to Denise M. Colby and tell you how you can connect with her.

More About Denise: