Character Tour: Unconditional by Tanya Eavenson

Yay! It’s Friday–who’s ready for the weekend? The girls are excited about watching the new series “Sophia the First”, which premiere’s today. My plans are to edit, edit, edit. Did I mention editing?

Just in time, though, I’m introducing you to another character from a book, this time from the mind of Tanya Eavenson. Check it out!

Hi, I’m Samantha from Tanya Eavenson’s debut novel, Unconditional. Elizabeth Roberts, the main character, is my sister. Okay, this is harder than I thought.

Do you ever feel responsible for something even if it wasn’t your fault? A part of me feels that way for Elizabeth’s tendency to run from her problems. I guess you can say it’s what I showed her when I left home at nineteen.

See, Elizabeth looked up to me. She tagged along everywhere I went, tried to dress like me, even liked the same music I listened to. But I couldn’t handle Mom and Dad always nagging me to go to church, how I needed better friends, or why couldn’t I be more like Elizabeth. I just got tired of it and left. The world was not what I thought it would be like, but I was determined to make it. And I did. But at a price.

When I got the news about Mom and Dad’s death, it really hit hard. Not only had I not spoken to them in years, but now Elizabeth avoided any contact with me. I know I deserved it, pushing her away like I had. But by God’s grace, a few years ago she forgave me and let me back into her life. That’s when I met Chris, Elizabeth’s husband, and his brother Phillip, my husband. Yes, Elizabeth and I married brothers. Funny how God works things out.

Anyway, what can I say about Chris? He was always so sure of himself and where he was going in life. Nothing was going to stop him. You know, the “everyone knows your name” type. And he was in love with my sister, the total opposite. Quiet—well, unless she was talking about her faith—otherwise quiet, very loving, and extremely beautiful with those eyes of hers. Turquoise, I’d call them. Yes, Chris and Elizabeth were complete opposites, yet in a way, perfect for each other.

I never thought they’d have marital problems. Chris’s family are church goers, missionaries, deacons, lawyers running a homeless shelter, but I’ve learned that if you’re not living day by day in the presence of the Lord, it doesn’t matter who you are; the devil will find his way in and try to destroy what God has created.

I think a lot about what happened between Chris and Elizabeth. I also think a lot about my own life and the past. How God took the bad things that had happened, the ugliness of my sin, and used those circumstances to draw me to Himself.

Before I leave I want to read a short scripture. Hold on, let me get my Bible. Here it is. Hosea 2:14-15, “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give back her vineyards, and make the Valley of Archor a door of hope.”

I see this verse being true in my and Chris’s life, even though our stories are different. God lead us into the desert, and that is where we listened. God didn’t give us what we deserved. Instead, He loved us, wrapped us in righteousness, faithfulness, and compassion, giving us hope for our future.

Has there been a time in your life the Lord allured you into the desert—a time of loss or uncertainty—and spoke tenderly to you? Compassionately bringing you back to Him? If so, share your story. In your story there is hope and assurance of God’s love for others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tanya Eavenson and her husband have been in the ministry for fifteen years teaching youth, adults, and counseling. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel around the world. You can find her on Twitter at @Tan_eave and contact her at her website www.tanyaeavenson.com  Want to learn more about writing? Stop by her blog http://guidedgirls.blogspot.com

Thank you, Tanya and Samantha, for sharing with us today. I’ve been in Samantha’s position before, and the guilt can be horrible, but God is forgiving. I wonder what happened between Chris and Elizabeth, too. Guess I’ll have to get the book…