Over the course of my books, I put my characters in some difficult spots. That’s good for the plot and good for the readers. However, then I have to come along and put some wise resolution for that character to discover, drawn on or hear from someone else to get them out of that pickle. I strive for a fresh insight, for practical wisdom, something useful not just holy-sounding. This is  where the writing gets very humbling because this is where God takes over.
In one situation, I had a character go back to Job. (I just finished reading Job, so it’s fresh in my mind.) The character said although the Lord restored all that Job had, God never took the pain of the loss away. Yesterday, it also occurred to me that the restoration took years. Job didn’t wake up the next morning *poof* with his seven new sons and three new daughters.
So here are two principles about pain or loss (I wish I’d thought of them, but they’re God’s)- Pain fades to the point where it doesn’t consume our lives, but it doesn’t necessarily ever go away. At least not in this life. Sometimes we put unrealistic expectations on ourselves or others about how and when we should be ‘over’ something. Each situation is unique and intensely personal. Grant yourself (or someone else) the grace to walk through it rather than add the pressure of ’should’. Truth is, God may doing things through the loss that we are completely unaware of- as was Job’s case. Job never knew the full story behind all his suffering.
Second, restoration takes time and it may mean traveling over some ground we’ve already covered. Job had done diapers and toddlers and loose teeth and adolescence with his kids, but he had to go through it all again. In the end, it’s worth it. The last chapter of Job says, “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.”

Pain, suffering and sorrow are a fact of life, but thank God through Jesus Christ, they are only a fact of THIS life. (John 16:33)

What am I writing? Still the draft of Claire’s book, and I’m up to chapter 6

What am I reading? I read two books this week, and I am emotionally wrung out. First up was Mary DeMuth’s Daisy Chain. Following Mary on Twitter and getting to know her through her blogs prompted me to pick up the book. It’s garnered fabulous reviews for the story of Jed Pepper, a fourteen-year-old boy swept up in the disappearance of Daisy, his best friend, maybe even his girlfriend. Jed was the last one to see Daisy, and suffers with guilt, remorse, and palpable loneliness. On top of this, Jed’s father, a well-respected pastor, is abusive, and his mother deals with the tyranny through closet alcoholism. The story, the characters, and setting are all extremely well-rendered. What struck me, what will ultimately stay with me, was the way Mary captured the incomprehensible ambivalence Jed wrestles with. He loves his father and wants nothing more than to make him proud, but in the same breath, he despises the man and his hypocrisy. This is a coming of age story. I defined those for Lauren as a story in which a young person has to face the way the world works. Jed becomes a fine young man, and I wish someone would tell him so. Book 2, A Slow Burn is due out in October.

After taking a few days to absorb and recover from Daisy Chain, I moved on to Bonnie Grove’s Talking to the Dead. I also follow Bonnie on Twitter, and not only has her book received great reviews, it has garnered a heap of mentions through the Twitterverse. Interestingly, it arrived with a sticker on the cover- ‘good read guaranteed’. It delivered. In it, Kate Davis becomes a widow at 28, and within days, her husband speaks to her. The rest of the book unfolds the reason why and what it all means. For several days, I read it while I sat in the car waiting for my son to get out of school, but I found out there was a tipping point. Once I hit that point, I had to finish the book… that day… period. A close friend of mine says any book that makes you talk back to it is a good one. Without blowing any plots points, when Kate finally cleaned out Kevin’s closet, I gave her an enthusiastic “Good girl!” (My daughter looked up.) I know it’s ‘just a book’, but the characters are ‘real’ characters. It broke my heart how utterly alone Kate was through this. God help us not walk on by while anyone is in as much pain.
I’m going back to non-fiction next week. I need a break!

Side note- Social media can definitely be an effective marketing tool. It was key in my decision to purchase and read these two books.

What has God taught me? Between the books and my Bible study this week, God has highlighted how much hurt there is in this world, and reminded me of our mandate to be a conduit for His grace and mercy. I get so easily frustrated and discouraged, I lose sight of my amazing Redeemer working in each situation.

My Wednesday morning Bible study group began meeting again and we picked up with Psalms 38-40. In Psalm 38, David is suffering and v.11 describes how his friends and family stand off, unwilling to walk through the valley with him. His enemies seize on the opportunity to step up their attacks on him, and in v. 17 he says, “I am ready to fall.”
While reading and discussing the psalm, I asked how do we as the church, how do I as an individual, respond to people in crisis? I read a couple of books this week (which I’ll discuss more tomorrow), and even though they were fictional, they point out the truth that we are surrounded by hurting people. Most folks hide it, and most of them have no idea what to do or where to turn while we sit on the answer. It’s hard and it’s messy getting involved in the lives of others. Sometimes, it’s frustrating and thankless, but it’s also an opportunity like no other. By stepping in to help the hurting, we get to have a part in redeeming that pain and suffering.
I’ve been on both sides of a crisis, and I know how difficult it can be to open up and admit that things are out of control. I’ve had that trust violated, and in some ways that pain is worse. I’ve also had grace and mercy showered on me. In several instances, I can trace the origin of healing back to the point of seeking help. I take it as a high honor to be invited into someone’s pain. To be trusted that deeply is almost like entering holy ground.
God, help me not stand back, but be an agent of Your grace and compassion.

Study Tip Tuesday, on Wednesday. I apologize for the delay.

Last week, we discussed the whos of a given passage. After answering all the ‘who’ questions in a passage, the next step is to move on to the ‘what’ questions. Especially when I’m teaching my kids, I make a point of asking what the verses say. Being able to answer the ‘what’ questions tells me whether or not they understood what they read. This past Sunday we studied Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. In Acts 26:4-5 what does Paul say about himself? (He was a strict Jew from his youth.) In verses 12-18 what happened? (Paul saw a vision of Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus and received a commission to preach.) What is the passage about? (Paul’s defense and story of his conversion)
You may be thinking ‘what’ point is there in asking these really simple questions? It forces you to slow down and examine the test and not just assume you know what it says.
You don’t have to stay with the easy questions. What ‘crime’ is Paul charged with? What are the main points of Paul’s defense? What changes did the gospel make in Paul’s life and purpose according to his own testimony? What changes has it made in yours?

Next week- I don’t know

It’s that time of year again- birthday time. Time to take a little inventory. I think I’m healthier than I was last year at this time. I’ll find out for sure in a couple of weeks when I get some bloodwork done. I’m five weeks into this running deal, and although I have no real stamina, I have more than I did 5 weeks ago. (I’ve also not lost any weight yet. So much for positive reinforcement.) I did a year of homeschooling, and the second starts tomorrow. (One of the beautiful things about homeschool- I do NOT have to have school on my birthday.) Hopefully, I’ve learned some parenting along the way.  Professionally, I’ve written 2 drafts of new books, working on a third and did a killer edit on my first. I had several pieces published this spring. I have this website, a monthly newsletter, I Twitter, and I’m on Facebook. Not bad for someone ‘my age’. Of course, according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything. Not age 42, just 42.
One thing’s for sure- I’d rather be 42 than 22. I’d even rather be 42 than 32. In fact, if we could get my youngest through potty-training, I wouldn’t care to hang out here for a few years. That’s not possible, I know. I guess it’s just another way of saying I’m tremendously blessed. (Including tangible, culinary blessings like Texas Roadhouse for dinner.) I wish YOU a happy day today.

I know God has taught me some incredible lessons this year. I’ve gained a real appreciation for the second ‘half’ of Isaiah (chapters 40-66). I’ll leave you with the first few verses of chapter 43.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;