The Book of Daniel (37 page)
Read The Book of Daniel Online
Authors: Mat Ridley
“And that you’ve not been sent to Hell for an eternity of torture and damnation.”
“That too.” I dodged a playful punch aimed at my arm, but inside, I found that actually I
was
grateful to God, for the first time that I could remember; genuinely grateful, not just relieved that He had delivered me from some momentary crisis. After all my struggles against Him, He could very easily have given up on me the same way I had given up on Him; but instead, He had guided me home. Yes, home. That was exactly what it felt like. I hadn’t met God yet, but my initial anxiety was already soothed by a presence I felt in my heart. The spike of guilt I had felt earlier was already a distant memory.
I took a deep breath of the warm, fragrant air and looked into Jo’s smiling face. “Come on, then,” I said, “let’s go. I want to meet Jonathan and catch up with our friends. I never thought I’d hear myself say this, either, but I’m even looking forward to meeting God, too.”
“But you already have, Dan. Just look. He’s all around you.”
Acknowledgements
A
part from Daniel’s, the only other name on the front cover of this book is my own, but I wouldn’t have been able to write it without the assistance of the following top people. I am grateful to all of them for their contributions to what has been a very long, drawn-out process. In order of involvement –
- To God, for the inspiration and opportunity to write the novel in the first place. Just as with Daniel, it’s not always been an easy journey, but—also just as with Daniel—He’s always been there to help me through to the other side.
- To my wife, Beatrix, for her unfailing support and encouragement, not just in connection with this book, but with everything. I do not know how she does it, but I sure am glad that she does.
- To my “beta readers” for the time that they spent reading the various draft versions of the novel, and for their invaluable feedback—some of which I even listened to. Hats off to Liz Aspinall, Alison Burling, Rev Simon Oliver, Carol Reekie, Mike Ridley and Rev Canon Angela Tilby. I really appreciate your time and help!
- To my editor, David Gatewood, for pulling out all the grammatical weeds from the garden—the manure was all my own work—and for being so patient and good-natured along with it. If you ever need an editor, David is your man. Find him at
www.lonetrout.com
. - To the extremely talented Jason Gurley, for the awesome cover art. Please
do
judge this book by its cover, and do also check out his other fantastic work at
www.jasongurley.com
. - To you, dear reader, for actually having read the book. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, please tell your friends or post a review somewhere, and keep an eye on
www.matridley.com
for my other work. But be patient… and have faith.
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