I wrote this story during a particularly challenging season in my life, where I often felt a great sorrow for some circumstances I couldn’t change. A sweet benefit came out of this stretching season, something I would never have expected and yet would never trade. I’ve gained a deeper dependency on God in all things, and a wider trust in his relentless, patient work of redemption.
Within The Quieting is a story about Abigail, a young woman who clings to the past to find answers to life. There’s nothing wrong with sifting through the past; at times, it’s critically important to fully understand a situation. But God is far more interested in how we are going to respond to life today. And tomorrow!
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:18–19 NIV
This was what Abigail had to realize: God was doing a new thing! But she couldn’t perceive it. She was too snared by the past to see what was right in front of her.
And don’t we all have a little Abigail in us? I certainly do. But God and I, we’re working on it.
Many thanks to my entire A-plus team at Revell, including Andrea Doering, Michele Misiak, Barb Barnes, Twila Bennett, Karen Steele, Cheryl Van Andel. You all help make my stories the best they can be. My gratitude to Joyce Hart, my wonderful agent to whom I owe so much.
A shout-out to my first readers, Lindsey Ciraulo, Meredith Muñoz, and Tad Fisher, who have a special way of pointing out flaws in a novel without tossing in discouragement, only opportunities to improve. A warm hug to Nyna Dolby, a hobby genealogist, who helped me with loads of family tree–tracing information, and to Luanne Devere, a skilled nurse, who helped me work out credible details of David’s ulcer. And a big thank-you to my family for being patient and understanding about my writing obligations. I love the chaos around here, most of it happy, none of it dull.
Deborah Simmering, a reader, emailed me about a memory from her childhood. With her permission, I wove the memory into a situation with Molly in The Quieting. You readers, you’re the best! I value your input and feedback. I’m listening!
Above all, my gratitude goes to the sovereign Lord, who is continually at work in all of our lives. Yours and mine. Thank heavens he doesn’t leave us alone!