Re-living History
In case you can’t tell, I love history—both reading it and writing about it. I especially enjoy learning about local history. This beautiful resort, The Hotel Ottawa, once stood near the Lake Michigan beach where my husband and I walk every day. It was featured as a setting in my novel, “Waves of Mercy,” which takes place in 1897.
The hotel was a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s when steamships brought guests, like the heroine in my novel, across Lake Michigan from Chicago to vacation at the beach. Unfortunately, the hotel burned down in 1923 and wasn’t rebuilt. The only thing that’s left is the brick pumphouse that once generated electricity for the hotel and nearby cottages. The pumphouse is now a lovely little museum that features a display of the hotel’s guest book and other artifacts from that time period.
Last week I was asked to speak at the Pumphouse Museum as part of their summer lecture series. The warm, enthusiastic audience listened, on that beautiful summer evening, as I spoke about my book and my journey as a writer.
The story of my writing career and how I got started is really the story of God’s faithfulness over the years. Each time I tell it, I’m reminded of all the hard times and all the little miracles along the way—as well as the lessons God taught me through each one. He used the ups and downs of my writing journey to draw me closer to Him, and so each time I tell my story, I’m really telling about His goodness and love.
My goal as I write about the past in my novels is to help readers grow in faith to face today’s challenges. The Bible says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). It’s speaking about the written scriptures, but I think it’s also a good reason why we should read and study history. It gives us hope. History helps us see the bigger picture behind world events and God’s hand in them. And that helps us put the challenges we face in clearer perspective. We begin to see that, great or small, we all have a part to play in God’s plan. When you look back at some of the events in your life, where do you see Gods hand at work? How does that give you faith for today’s challenges?
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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope…” (Romans 15:4) I just love that Scripture, Lynn. Great post, and I’m so glad God called you to this!
Thanks Deb. You are getting ready for some huge changes! We downsized 5 years ago and moved from the Chicago area to Michigan. Leaving friends is the hardest. But it helped me set new priorities. I wish you many blessings!
Very interesting – an area I know nothing about. What a shame the hotel was never rebuilt. One of my favorite movies is Somewhere in Time, starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeves. Its setting of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island reminds me of this.
Yes, the Ottawa Hotel was very much like it. Both built in the same era.
All through my life, I can look back and see that God was there, forming the path. He had it under control all the time. Why was I so worried and distressed?! Yes, God is sovereign and He is in control. History also fascinates me; I enjoy reading fiction and nonfiction related to historical times. I enjoy reading your books, Lynn.
It’s wonderful when we can look back and see His faithfulness.
I really love this idea: “each time I tell my story, I’m really telling about His goodness and love.”
Every time I sit down to write a review after reading a book, I really feel like God is using me and my personal story to help spread His Word. I always feel like, in my small way, I’m a seed planter. I feel maybe that’s really all of our jobs here on earth.
What a blessing to read your perspective of how God leads as you write – your purpose in relating history and your desire to honor Him. Such a comfort to know that as one reads your books, God will be honored and glorified. Thx for following His call upon your life!!