Diana strolled through the forest. Golden rays of sunshine filtered through the trees, while wildflowers dotted the ground below. Being in nature always brought her closer to God. Her mind flooded with creative possibilities. Ever since turning her life over to God a few years ago, words flowed through her mind. She’d never considered that before. Writer’s block was a thing of the past. Focusing her writing on what God wanted her to say was so freeing.

            She continued down the path past a stream. A large rock sat by the water, and she settled on it. This was one of her favorite places in all the world. She pulled a small notebook from her backpack. A character was forming in her mind. She scribbled notes.

            Jackie. Short dark hair, brown eyes, age 45, very fit. Works as police negotiator. Lost her mom at a young age – very close to her father. Loves Jesus – strong faith. Lives in NYC. Gets called into dangerous situations. Very calm under pressure.

            Diana pulled her gaze from her notebook to watch the stream. A stick twisted and turned in the water as it flowed past. Just like her words. The story formed in her mind as she considered what would happen to Jackie.

            It was so much fun when a story was brand new. How she loved creating characters. She glanced at her watch. It was time to get back to the house. She had an interview coming up soon.

           As she made her way back along the trail, she couldn’t help smiling. God was so good.

           She entered her house just as her phone rang.

            “Ms. Dreadon? This is Monica from the Author Backstory podcast. Is now still a good time for your interview?”

            Diana smiled into the phone. “Of course. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about me and my writing.”

            Thirty minutes later, the interview was over, and Diana sat on her sofa, sipping tea and stroking the fur of Sienna, her gorgeous rag doll kitty. She mulled over the questions in her mind. A few stuck out. Monica had asked if she thought about her characters before she wrote about them. That was a no-brainer. Just like she was doing with Jackie, she knew everything about her characters before she ever put them into a story. What they liked, how they grew up… everything. The last question was also interesting. Did she always finish her stories? Diana laughed, recalling her answer. Of course, she did. She always had an ending in mind for her stories. Sure, sometimes the twists and turns of the story took shape while she was writing, but every story came to a satisfying conclusion. She couldn’t imagine abandoning any of her stories part way through. They were her children.

            Her stomach rumbled, and she stood and stretched. After some lunch, she’d start outlining Jackie’s story. She entered the kitchen and Sienna padded along behind her. Her gaze traveled to her verse-a-day calendar. She hadn’t yet changed it. She pulled off the top sheet and read the verse for today.

Hebrew 12: 1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

            Diana studied the words. She wasn’t much of a runner. Walking was more her speed. But the picture of finishing the race God gave her spoke to her heart. What really caught her attention, though, was that Jesus was the author and finisher of her faith. Jesus was an author, just like her. Her mind whirled with the possibilities. Jesus knew about her before He created her, just like she knew all about Jackie. And Jesus wrote her story. There was such comfort in that. He knew everything that would happen to her. He already wrote the chapters of her life. That didn’t mean she didn’t have a choice, but He knew her story.

            She turned back to the verse. Jesus was the finisher of her faith. Since Jesus was an author, too, He’d never let her story go unfinished. She clutched a hand to her chest. Why had she never made the connection before? Since Johnny died, she’d felt alone. Having this new faith in God was all that got her through. But never did she realize just how much Jesus understood her. He was an author, too. An author of the most beautiful love story ever told. The last part of the verse told His love story. He endured the shame of the cross. For her. Just like the stream in her woods, joy bubbled up inside her. Her Jesus loved her. Enough to die for her. And that was the best story ever.

God, thank You for the love You’ve given us. We don’t deserve it. But what a comfort to know you understand our story. You’ve known us since before You formed us in the womb, and You know everything that will ever happen to us. Thank You for never leaving us to face our stories alone. You continue to perfect our faith as we learn to trust in You more every day. What an amazing blessing. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.