‘We were not necessarily making it easy to like.’ (Neil Tennant)
One of the things about being an author (new book published today, folks…) is that I have notes on bits of paper, my phone and laptop with reminders of things that people have said or events that happened.
It’s true that writers will sometimes proclaim ‘Be careful what you say or you may end up in one of my books!’ That’s certainly true of mine – both non-fiction and fiction. Indeed, those words in the latter genre stating ‘Any resemblance to actual persons…is purely coincidental’ is of course absolute rubbish. But I digress – which as a writer I am allowed to do.
The quote I began with was by Neil Tennant of the pop duo, Pet Shop Boys. Talking about their music, he was being interviewed by Dermot O’Leary back in May 2023. Those words have laid written on a scrappy bit of paper on my desk ever since – simply waiting to be used.
In some respects, I find myself resonating with those words about what I write in books, blogs, articles or say in a talk, sermon or podcast. I don’t necessarily want it to be easily liked. (And judging by the number of likes others get on social media perhaps my audience are of the same opinion!)
Being liked is not my motivation (it’s the comments and feedback which make it all worthwhile). Of course, I do hope readers and listeners will like what emerges but more than that, I hope it goes deeper. I’d far rather people could relate the words to an aspect of their life which is in some way beneficial for them (and if that includes liking and enjoying it then all well and good).
Reflecting on Neil Tennant’s words also made me think about whether God feels the same way when looking on our lives.
Life is not always easy to like. But my personal view is that God does not necessarily make it that way. Far from being the one who causes or even gets the blame for the difficult things we experience, God is there right in the midst of it. Sharing the difficulties, disappointments and pain. Providing strength, wisdom and perseverance to endure.
This period of Lent is in many ways the ideal time to reflect on God’s presence in the wilderness of what is not easy to like about life. But it is also a time of having hopes and expectations. A time of living hope. A time of expectation about what God can and does provide.
A time of going deeper with God. And what’s not to like about that.
My new book, Hopes and Expectations is the third in the Eastwood Story series of novellas. Stories of love and loss, tears and laughter, grief and joy. Stories of hope over adversity – of achieving the best from a life that is not easily liked at times – and with happy endings! All the books are on special offer – so do take a look.
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Details of all my books can be found at richardfrostauthor.com.