Love’s Sacred Song (44 page)
T
hough it may sound cliché, I must first and foremost thank God for this story. When I began reading all eight chapters of Song of Solomon daily, I discovered the Lord’s ability to shape and define characters and themes. No commentary or theologian devised the unfolding plot. It was His gentle whisper, revealing His ferocious love.
To my writing partner, Meg Wilson—you are tenacious, my friend! If it hadn’t been for your repeated counsel—dare we say
nagging
—I would never have written my retreat topic in novel form. And then with every major plot overhaul, you plowed through these pages again, faithfully calling me to think more deeply, to express more emotion with fewer words.
To my second partner, Velynn Brown—thanks for giving up family time and your own writing time to help me stay “real” on the page.
To Michelle Nordquist, my email edit specialist—though we’ve met in person only once, the long hours of computer connection have made us kindred spirits! My undying gratitude for your steadfast efforts on that crucial last rewrite, my friend. You’re awesome!
Huge thanks to Gayle Roper and her fiction mentoring clinic at the Mount Hermon Writers Conference in 2008, where this story found wings.
To Wendy Lawton—I would have stopped writing completely if it hadn’t been for you, my friend. At my first writers’ conference in 2001, you saw my discouragement, but you said, “I see the passion in your eyes when you talk about Solomon’s story. Don’t give up.” Four years later, you picked up this rough and dusty novice and carried me in your pocket. You protected me from all those rejections, and you didn’t let me fall. You were a godsend and are still a good friend.
To my editor, Vicki Crumpton—WOW! Where do I begin? You gambled big on this rookie author who didn’t even know what “POV” meant! And then you lovingly, patiently taught me to write real characters rather than teach through allegorical cutouts. “Thanks” is simply not enough to convey my appreciation for the way you gently coach, tenderly challenge, and graciously stretch me.
To Michele Misiak, Jessica English, Donna Hausler, Karen Wiley, Cheryl Van Andel, and the host of other creative and committed folks at Revell—you’ve spoiled me with your kindness and efficiency!
Immense thanks to Karl Kutz, chairperson of biblical languages at Multnomah Bible College. I don’t know any other busy professor who would sit down with a novelist and scour every word of Song of Solomon. You brought the Hebrew words to life and changed my perspective on several scenes.
And, once again, thanks to Suzanne Smith and Pam Middleton at the Multnomah University library. You’re awesome! Your expert research help has given me access to online databases and ancient texts beyond my scope of understanding but well within my heart to learn.
To my faithful prayer team—only God knows how powerfully you’ve impacted this book. Your love and support means so much to me and to my family.
I couldn’t have written about the healing love of Arielah’s father and mother had I not experienced it so profoundly from my own dad and mom. Charley and Mary Cooley have shown me Christ’s unconditional love throughout my life.
To Pat and Sharie Johnson, the parents of my heart—thank you for the tangible and intangible ways you love me.
To my father-in-law, Bill Kidwell—thanks for encouragement and impromptu suppers that help keep me at the keyboard.
To our kids, Trina and Jason, Emily and Brad—thank you for being easy to love, quick to forgive, and abundant with grace. Each of you shows me a different glimpse of Jesus’s love in a unique way. It is a pleasure and privilege to watch you live lives of integrity.
Finally, to my sweet husband, Roy—I would never truly know the love of the Holy Bridegroom if you hadn’t modeled it so beautifully. Thank you for pursuing me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being a godly example of sacred love.
Mesu Andrews
is an active speaker who has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture. Harnessing her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word, Andrews brings the biblical world alive for her readers. She and her husband enjoyed fourteen years of pastoral ministry before moving to the Pacific Northwest to pursue the next step in God’s calling. They have two married children and live in Washington, where Mesu writes full time. Visit Mesu at
www.mesuandrews.com
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Love Amid the Ashes
Love’s Sacred Song
