Seasons come and go, especially in the upper Midwest, where weather springs from the welcome yellow pop of daffodils to shady trees towering over verdant lawns and colorful flowers, and falls into vivid leaves glowing in crisp air before snow blankets the sleeping winter earth. Every person goes through seasons in life: growth and plateau, productivity and rest, joy and sorrow. But the essence of human life lies in the soul, which experiences its own seasons.
Soul seasons range from the mountain-top exuberance of “Bless the LORD, oh my soul!” in Psalms 103 and 104, through the calm soul of Psalm 131, to the heartfelt cry, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” from Psalms 42 and 43. Small wonder that John Calvin, in the preface to his commentary on the Psalms, aptly identifies this biblical book as an “anatomy of the soul.” Divinely-inspired psalmists explore the soul’s seasons with lyrical language that resonates in humanity’s ears and pluck believers’ heartstrings.
My soul season since I last posted on this blog defies a simple description. Stymied from moving forward on my intended writing path, I’ve grown exponentially in multiple areas while pursuing God’s direction along another route. I felt led to resurrect my 2010 NaNoWriMo novel for adult readers, titled Living Echoes.
Crafted with literary excellence, Living Echoes shimmers with mystery and shines with realism. A devastating vehicle accident pulls the reader into the perspective of Jillian Gardner Norris, whose pastor husband’s betrayal shatters her world on the cusp of fulfilling her writing dream.
Chapters in the novel’s first part (Echoes) juxtapose present-tense glimpses with past scenes portraying what led to Jillian’s crisis and unknown future. In the second part of the novel (Living), Jillian faces the daunting challenges of brain injury and limited mobility, while trying to regain independence. Distinctive dialogue propels the plot and shows the nuances in Jillian’s relationships with her family, friends, and the two men who care about her. Through layers of revelation, this literary novel depicts Jillian’s journey toward healing and explores themes of memory, home, and forgiveness.
Because the medical field has changed tremendously since 2010, hospital and therapy scenes required extensive research and radical surgery. Increased detail and depth enlivened the plot. Finally, the manuscript stood, and the publisher search began. Please join in praying that Living Echoes will find a publishing home and stride into the world.
Just as seasons ebb and flow in creation and life, we experience seasons of the soul. No matter the weather, current circumstances, or our soul season, we can trust in the Lord’s abundant and steadfast love to lead us home.
Glenda Faye Mathes 