BRENTWOOD, Tenn., March 13, 2026—Author and artist Jennifer Trafton offers readers a portrait of faith, imagination and vocation in her latest book, “If Only We Could See: Reimagining Creativity, Compassion, and Calling through the Extraordinary Life of Lilias Trotter,” releasing April 14, 2026, from B&H Publishing Group.
In “If Only We Could See,” Trafton brings new life to the story of Lilias Trotter, a gifted 19th-century artist whose work drew the praise of famed critic John Ruskin and whose radical decision to turn away from artistic acclaim led her instead to the overlooked communities of London and, later, to the deserts of North Africa. Blending biography, theological reflection and personal engagement, Trafton invites readers into Trotter’s world, where artistic vision and spiritual devotion were inseparably intertwined.
“It’s my hope that readers are inspired by Lilias to rediscover wonder, embrace a calling to creative compassion, and reimagine what faithfulness can look like in everyday life,” said Trafton. “In our deeply divided culture, more than ever we need a new way of seeing—and Lilias offers exactly that, an attentive, generous way of being in the world that can reawaken our joy and transform our community.”
While most readers have yet to learn of Lilias Trotter, many have experienced the influence of her work in the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” which was directly inspired by her writings.
Rather than offering a conventional biography, “If Only We Could See” draws readers into a personal encounter with Trotter as her friends knew her: a visionary who approached life with an artist’s eye and a missionary’s heart. Readers are encouraged to see both the world and their neighbors anew—and to consider what the book calls a “beautiful possible life.”
Jennifer Trafton is a storyteller and artist with a passion for exploring the intersections of faith, creativity and the arts. She studied church history and theology at Wake Forest University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Duke University. Trafton has been a regular conference speaker, writer, teacher, editor and illustrator for the Nashville-based Rabbit Room creative community for over a decade. Her novels for children, “The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic” and “Henry and the Chalk Dragon,” received starred reviews and multiple award nominations, and she has since collaborated on or contributed to a wide array of projects including “The Wingfeather Tales,” “The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad” and “Every Moment Holy, Vol. III: The Work of the People.”
B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources, is a team that believes Every Word Matters®. We seek to provide intentional, biblical content that positively impacts the hearts and minds of people, cultivating lifelong relationships with Jesus Christ. We publish (print and digital) in the trade, church and academic markets, as well as the CSB translation. For more information, visit BHPublishingGroup.com.
Media Contact: Jill Waggoner, Publicist, Jill.Waggoner@lifeway.com
