Book excerpt:
I looked up from the spindle as a mystifying radiance spun its way into the room. It came into my presence like the falling of olive blossoms in the breeze, white and gleaming. Awestruck, I watched as the light took on the form of a creature of light!
I rose quickly, my heart bolting like that of a newborn lamb. I moved away from the light until my back pressed against the mud-brick wall. A faint sound, like a lyre, could be heard as if music radiated from his snowy robe. His face shone. Could it have been the lingering glow from being near the throne of the Almighty?
“Greetings,” the angel said. “You who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
I wanted to speak but could not. With tremulous hands I fingered my veil but did not lift it. What could this mean? What kind of greeting was this?
--From Chapter Three: Mary, Mother of Jesus
Q & A
1. Anita, let’s start right there with
God’s interaction with mankind. You’ve spent your career writing stories, so
you must have thought about this before—why do you think God uses stories so
often to communicate his truth?
I
believe Jesus used storytelling (parables) because he knew that we could truly relate
to this form of communication. After all, our lives are like living storybooks
with each chapter being written every day. Stories go right to our hearts—stirring
us, challenging us, inspiring us, changing the way we think. And most
importantly, ever moving us toward redemption.
2. You are an award-winning writer, a
best-selling writer – you are still writing fiction, also, right? Or have you
achieved all you set out to do with your fiction writing?
Yes,
I’m still writing novels, and I hope to do so for the rest of my life. I have
dozens of stories yet to tell. I just hope people will continue to want to read
them!
3. How do you see this book being used?
I believe Where
God Finds You would make a good book to read while you’re sipping your
morning coffee, or it would work well for a group Bible study.
4. What did the experience of writing
these stories bring into your own life?
I
have never felt so close to God as when I was writing this book. The experience
felt a little like when you turn up the volume on your phone, and you can hear
someone’s voice with more clarity. But it was also sensing his nearness—the
warmth of his love and the light of his presence—that also made me well up each
morning with worship and wonder and gratitude.
5. Why did you decide to tackle this
particular subject matter?
Good
question. I generally write contemporary romantic fiction, so working on a
devotional book infused with Biblical fiction was not an easy task. Also, I’m
not a Biblical scholar, so at first I was overwhelmed, knowing how much
research it would take to write a book of this kind. In fact, I said no to the
editor who’d asked me to take on this project, but then he asked me to pray
about my decision. That weekend I did pray about it, and felt strongly that I
was meant to write this book. I may not have a degree in theology, but I did
want to be obedient to God. Writing this devotional book, Where God Finds You, turned out to be an amazing experience.
6.
What do you think readers will take
away from the book?
My
hope is that people will enjoy discovering how relevant the Bible stories are
to our lives today. I wanted to bring the characters to life and show that these
ancient people were very much like us with similar hurts and tragedies, hopes
and transgressions, joys and triumphs. Even though the culture was dramatically
different, our hearts are the same. Those famous Bible folk needed God back
then just as we need him in our daily lives right now.
7. What do you like about this book?
Getting
to know these Bible characters and writing their stories in first person was a
seemingly impossible undertaking, and yet the experience inspired and
encouraged me. I hope readers will be equally moved.
8. Beyond
your research, did you do anything special to prepare for a day of writing
Biblical fiction?
During the months of research as well as the
writing of this book I held to the routine of listening to the scriptures on
CDs while I was in my car running errands and while I was getting ready in the
morning. I did this hoping to absorb the Bible’s rich language, dramatic
metaphors, and epic nature. In the end, this technique of preparing my mind for
the day’s writing worked well. On some days the words flowed with little
effort, almost like taking dictation, and on other days I struggled to complete
one or two pages. But amidst my routine and aching back from long hours at the
computer, the one thing that helped me more than anything was prayer. God
really was faithful in helping me prepare this devotional book.
9. Do you have a favorite Bible character?
If I were to choose a favorite Bible character,
I’d say that I was drawn to Mary Magdalene. I wept when I read the exchange
between Mary and Jesus just outside the empty tomb. I could not only see the
Jesus who loved the masses, but I could see a more intimate portrait—the Jesus
who loved Mary Magdalene as a precious friend—the same Jesus who loves me and
you.
10. Any other thoughts about the book that we didn’t cover?
Through the writing of these devotions I sensed
the Holy Spirit whispering, “This book is going to change your life, Anita.” And
I have to admit—it did. Even though all my troubles didn’t vanish when I
finished the last page of the book, I did come away with an awareness—that the
same God who set the stars in the heavens also knows the number of hairs on my
head. Jesus is nearer than I imagined, and he cares more deeply than I’d hoped.
And he’s constantly working things out for good in my life. And in your life…
* Q & A provided by PR Company *
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