The Root of the Idea Behind A Time of Proving

With most of my books, I can remember the moment an idea took fire and started spinning itself into a book. One scene jumps to life vividly, and then bit by bit, the rest of the details of the story follow. 

Not every author works that way. To each their own process of pulling a story together–but I like my process best. Daydreaming is my absolute favorite part about being an author. 🙂

The Idea of A Time of Proving

With A Time of Proving, my initial idea came because of family devotions. We were reading through the book of Numbers, in chapter 35 to be exact.

The section spoke of cities of refuge.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.

Numbers 35: 9-12

The passage goes on to speak of how “the accused must stay there until the death of the high priest.” (Numbers 35:25)

That verse struck me. The accused man wouldn’t remain banished forever–but when he returned after so many years, what kind of reception would his village give him?

I’ve lived my entire life in a small town. My family has been in this area for generations on both sides, and it’s no secret that once you earn a reputation, good or bad, that name can’t be easily changed.

The idea percolated in my mind and a story began to take shape–not one tied with Biblical times, but rather, one that took place in a small town on the Nebraska prairie. 

A sixteen-year-old boy found himself in a tough situation, and without thinking of the future, he fled from town. After a few years of being on his lonesome, he decided to return home–only discover that fleeing had hardened the town’s judgement against him.

I took that man and paired him with a woman striving to reunite her scattered siblings . . . and bam. The story was off to a start.

There were a few changes.

Elements of the story shifted as I went along. 

My hero, Jonas, was quickly usurped by Jase. Jonas was too solemn and tragic, so Jase had no problem sending him on his way (I’m quite sure Jase laughed as he did so). 

Miriam quickly gained a twin brother, Cole, to help her out along her journey. Cole helped balance the story out so that not all the world was against her.

And bit by bit, each scene built on itself until A Time of Proving was born. 

It became a story centered around family. Sacrificial love played out in the scenes. Some parts held humor while others were woven with heartbreak. 

Fiction can be a means of portraying truth. A Time of Proving’s message is one of grace opposed to judgement. Of relationships over pride. 

It’s a story that touches the truth that we are all imperfect people who serve a perfect God.