God’s Faithfulness
Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M White is a powerful dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The action is set during both world wars, and is linked by the generations of a family. The chapters alternate between the two time periods. Much of the action is set on Ocracoke, a small American island.
All the characters were well drawn and believable. I loved the fact that there were cameo appearances of characters from other Roseanna M White’s books. This added to the feeling a familiarity for the reader.
Lies and suspicion happens within a family as well as during times of war. Characters in both time periods are cruelly treated and time with children is snatched away. As is the time with a spouse.
There is the theme of forgiveness. When there is much to forgive, it does not come easy – but forgiveness is a s much for the welfare of the giver, as it is for the receiver.
There are several generations of strong women. They have had to rise above their circumstances. They are overcomers. The reader’s heart breaks for the abused wife who tells her small daughter: “You hear him [her father] coming, and you run, baby girl. You run to Lulu and spend the night with her.”
Many of the women have grown up under the Jim Crow laws, shunned because of their skin colour. The prejudices remain. The women are so much more than the colour of their skin. They are hardworking, and full of goodness, serving others where they can.
Sailors were lost at sea during World War II as their ships were the target of U-boats weapons. Their names may not have been known to the islanders, but they were known by God. “God knew who they were… And He knew those who would be missing them.”
There is a high human cost of war. “Always the Lord was with these men… But He didn’t aways deliver them safely home… Sometimes He took them Home instead.” We have to entrust our loved ones to God’s care, faithfully trusting that one day we will be reunited.
There is the theme of healing. Sometimes it is a healing of hearts. At other times, it is physical healing that is needed. Hearts can still function, even when they are broken.
Prayer is vital. “She’d arm herself with prayer.” When we feel powerless, we need to fall to our knees and let God take over. “She didn’t have the actual words of a prayer in her mouth… but they filled her heart.” God knows the cry of our hearts even if we have no words. He “prayed that God would show him what his work was supposed to be.” We can always look to God for guidance.
In the Old Testament we meet Esther who is there ‘for such a time as this.’ This theme is echoed within the tale. “It had to be God at work, making certain Rem… knew the code, that he could decipher your message.” God prepares us in the past, for what we will need in the future.
War create devastation in lives and landscape. “God’s creation destroyed by man’s hatred.” We can imagine God weeping when He sees how we treat His humans and all that He has made.
God never leaves us nor forsakes us, and sometimes we need to be reminded of this. “The gold cross… A reminder of the God who had seen her, had heard all those cries.”
I absolutely loved Yesterday’s Tides. Not only was it a cracking tale but there is the faithfulness of God at it’s centre. The strong women who loved and supported each other throughout the generations were admirable. You do not want to miss Yesterday’s Tides.
JULIA WILSON
