I am looking out at a gray day here in Michigan and wondering when spring actually plans to arrive? Though I must say, we had a bunny in the yard last night, one of those sweet little promises that warm weather really is coming! As the earth (and the flowers I long for) choose life, so must we – and live it to the fullest! Unfortunately, this week that has been harder to do as Randy and I have been sick with a kind of a mild flu. We were rather lazy, I must say through those few days of it. Just sat around in the family room and didn’t do much but read or watch TV. Thankfully, we are nearly normal again…heh…if you can ever call us normal! 🙂
In the midst of this, my goal has been to plot Deborah’s story. I finished (for the most part) her Idea Board, so I have at least some pictures of how I envision the characters. But the plot is slow going. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve seen my research question on Jael. Deborah’s story is her story as well, much like Leah is part of Rachel’s and Hagar and Lot’s wife are part of Sarai’s. We don’t live life in a vacuum, and I imagine that these women lived in families and communities and had influence over their small or larger world. We know Deborah had influence, but how did it start? How did she rise to such a position in a culture where men were supposed to be the appointed rulers?
Then there are the motives behind the actions of both women. That’s the toughest part for me, especially when it comes to Jael’s actions in killing the enemy Sisera. Sisera was a terrorist, and a bloodthirsty, rapist. Every man in Israel probably wanted to kill him. Yet it was a woman, not even of Israeli descent who did the job. She is a fascinating study, as is Deborah. But I sense that this could also be the hardest book I have written to date.
Other than that, I am trying to keep up with the rest of life. And sometimes I just sit back at night and collapse in front of reruns of Downton Abbey. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind. Do you have a favorite way to relax from a busy day?
The timer for our dinner just went off and it’s way too early. Thankfully, it has a warming cycle!
Back to work.
Until next time~
