When I just had one son, God gave me two stories. Back then, we lived on a little farm, at the top of a rolling hill. The sunsets and sunrises flamed and dipped beautiful. The wind, on the top of that rolling hill, could be your gentlest friend, comforting on a hot summer day. On other days, it was a wonder it didn’t roll the hay bales across fields – the currents were so strong. It was a pushy, hurrying friend then. In the Spring, the Buttercups always looked like they could touch the sky.
These two stories grew on the top of that hill. When I wrote Where the Wild Winds Blow, I loved the Father, but I didn’t realize I was a beloved daughter of The King. I didn’t realize that He would make whole my brokenness, or that all my quirky ways were designed by Him. I especially did not understand that He created a life plan that would unfold each day, each step closer to Him – and that plan meant that being a southerly mama was part of being holistically me, along with the writer, the wife, the homemaker, the teacher.
Where the Wild Winds Blow was originally one story, but it has been broken into two – about Spring/Summer and Winter/Fall. The other story, well, it was a God message to me -coming to you for back to school – but for now – it’s Spring. It’s time for part of the first story to make friends – I’d like to introduce you to Where the Wild Wind Blows Spring and Summer.
A little boywind goes to work with his mother, a southerly, motherly wind – to not only find out what she does, but what a Spring Time and Summer Shine wind does. After their day together, talking about “big and Little things, little and Big, the little boy wind asks, “Mama, must we forever roll the rain bales and tug the shade?”
Below are some phrases from the text that have become more enriched, more meaningful to me in the last 24 years. It’s not so much the story behind the story, but the story after the story.
“We feel and are felt
with our big and Little things
Little and big”
“The Purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5)
Springtime, Summershine, Coldly Winter Weeks, the Fall Corner
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc. 3:1)
tiny seeds that slept and burrowed deep
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5: 7-12)
Homeward they blew, talking
About big and Little things, little and Big
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2: 1-6)
rolling great skeins
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19)
hearing a different melody . . . .coaxing the sun to shine
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16)
finishing jobs, beginning jobs
“The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever–do not abandon the works of your hands” (Psalm 138:8)
We feel and are felt
with our big and Little things
Little and big
Dreams unfold in God’s time. Dreams are often like prayers sent out – the most important part of living happens in the wait of a prayer sent out – just like the most important part of living happens in wait of a dream unfolding. Celebrate with me a 24-year-old dream in a new stage of this journey, and click here to enter to win a copy of Where the Wild Winds Blow Spring and Summer.
Sounds like a lovely book, Maryleigh! It sounds as if you’ve got a beautiful story to tell and I’m sure writing it was so meaningful. Now your sons have this incredible heirloom too to treasure with their own children one day! I do hope you are doing well and you’ve got my prayers for this book to be a hit!
Thank you, Beth – and these books are just an example of the wonderful encouragement from my husband in this writing journey. Someday, I need to do a post on how we have supported each other in growing our dreams! Shalom, sweet friend!
The story after the story – wonderful. Your book, and your after story, both sound beautiful. Visiting from #TellHisStory today.
Thank you, Mindy, for spending time in the story after the story! Your encouragement is so sweet! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
Oh how wonderful to see a dream fulfilled! Congratulations!
Thank you, Karrilee! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
“…behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
I tried to read the rest but my eyes rested on these words and could not be moved.
I took them to heart. I held them close and felt the wind blow in my heart little and big things.
HE IS FAITHFUL. Behold our God – Judge, Compassionate, Merciful – is faithful to see us through whatever the wind blows because He is the Master of the wind. Some think it blows without purpose, but you know better. You are beautiful and a people of the yielded heart.
Thank you for sharing and baring yourself here in your blog and in your stories.
“Blessed are those that remain steadfast” – resting, Chris, in His compassion and mercy! Thank you for your encouragement – and for finding grace in the big and little things in the story after the story! Shalom, Chris!
I love those final words to your last paragraph, Maryleigh … ‘dreams unfold in God’s time.’
Indeed, indeed. Now … to trust His timing rather than insisting on my own.
;-}
I wish I had learned that lesson much earlier – I think I would have slowed down, savored life better! Shalom, Linda!
Maryleigh
Congratulations on a dream come true! May God continue to guide you as your dreams unfold in HIS time!
Thank you, Anita! His timing is always the best, though sometimes it didn’t feel that way! I’m learning, though! Shalom!
Maryleigh,
Congratulations 🙂 Sounds and reads beautifully…I couldn’t join the giveaway because GoodReads wanted my age and I don’t feel like giving out any more information on the Internet…but thanks for the invite 🙂
I understand – thanks for going over, though 🙂 And for stopping by!!!
Maryleigh, what a precious book and a treasure for me to discover your blog as a fellow boy mom. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving behind words that moved me! Have a great day, Kim Stewart
http://www.kimstewartinspired.com
Welcome, Kim – fellow boy mom! I think God was preparing my heart for all these boys 24 years ago with these books (two others coming at in May and Sept). So glad to meet you – and so glad you stopped by! Shalom fellow boy mom!
I am going to purchase both books next payday! I have them in my “wish list” on Amazon so just need to go move them! I thought they looks really good; now I know they are, my most gifted friend!!