Estelle’s Endeavor by Linda Shenton Matchett

Estelle’s Endeavor: The Story Behind the Story

By Linda Shenton Matchett

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so when I was asked to participate in the Thanksgiving Books & Blessings series, I jumped at the chance. Growing up, we traveled to my maternal grandparents’ house every year where we’d feast with aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was typically a turkey, roast beef, and ham as well as every vegetable imaginable. Multiple desserts were available and always included my great-aunt’s coconut cake. Good times.

As I sat down to outline Estelle’s Endeavor that would take place during World War II, I realized the story might not be as easy to write as anticipated. After all, the war was a time of great deprivation. Gas rationing was stringent, so families who lived far apart would be unable to get together. Food rationing meant that certain items were limited, while other items weren’t available even if allowed in larger portions. In addition, many husbands, sons, and fathers were missing from the table, some temporarily, but some permanently having lost their lives.

Then I read I Thessalonians 5:18 that says, “In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Having come through a difficult year myself, the verse resonated with me. I decided to explore what it means to have a spirit of thanksgiving in spiteof circumstances rather than because of circumstances. Frankly, more easily said than done. Wouldn’t you agree?

My husband and I had a dear friend who’d been part of a tank battalion at the Battle of the Bulge which was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front, so I was able to use the memories he’d shared to create my male protagonist, a man badly injured who struggled with feelings of bitterness rather than thankfulness. In keeping with the secondary theme of books, I made my female protagonist a librarian, but the Armed Services Edition books, a series of more than 1,200 paperbacks designed to fit in uniform pockets that were shipped to troops around the globe, also played a role in the story.

Paul and the church members in Thessalonica also knew about difficult times. Angry that Paul’s teachings were drawing people out of the synagogue, the Jewish leaders managed to get Paul’s host, Jason, been arrested for harboring traitors to Caesar. Then Paul had to defend himself against a slander campaign and persecution of the church was strong. Almost immediately upon being forced to leave the city, he sat down and wrote a letter to the Thessalonians exhorting them to remain strong and thankful.

Are you going through tough times? Do you struggle with remaining thankful in spite of circumstances? I encourage you to read I Thessalonians and take Paul’s words to heart.

About Estelle’s Endeavor

Will a world at war destroy a second chance at love?

Estelle Johnson promised to wait for Aubry DeLuca, but then she receives word of his debilitating injuries. Does she have the strength to stand by him in his hour of need?

Aubry DeLuca storms the beaches at Normandy, then wakes up in the hospital, his eyes bandaged. Will he regain his sight? Will the only woman he’s ever loved welcome him home or is he destined to go through life blind and alone?

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Author Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. She is a volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Linda was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She now makes her home in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring the outdoors and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

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