Providence in Writing

If you've been following my Facebook you may have seen me note my amazement that God not only works things out in our lives, but He can give ideas for His providence to work in our CHARACTERS' lives.

I mean, it's fine and good if God just reaches down and saves my characters from doom. But how amazing is it if a series of events work together to rescue those characters?

I got some inspiration recently to edit a scene in "The Healer and the Pirate." I think the inspiration is from God. I do think it's a good idea, but then, I think a lot of things are good ideas. More impressively, my co-author Maggie also thinks it's a good idea. She's the one who usually strikes down my exciting ideas with her relentless logic. (I tease, but I do believe that is why "The Healer and the Pirate" is by FAR the best thing I've ever worked on.) Anyway, hopefully the edit will go well, and I'm hoping the scene will be greatly strengthened, letting our characters take some action. You'll have to tell me if you can spot the scene when it's finally published.

I think the best example of God's providence in the Bible is probably the book of Esther, which doesn't even mention God, but which has clear evidence of God's providence through events as simple as insomnia. It would have been fine if God would have just smote Haman from the getgo, but as literature and as a Biblical text, the story is more compelling and moving as the drama plays out through the lives of people.

I'm glad God lets us get involved, instead of just smiting people.