Eleanor Bertin

Eleanor Bertin, author | The Mosaic Collection

 As a very young girl, I relished the delicious thrill of feeling tiny in the face of vast power, whether under a giant prairie sky, or failing in my count of the sparkling night stars. Like holding hands with a grizzly bear, God’s thundering bigness against my feeble smallness terrifies and quiets me.

That shivery awe fills the pages of the Bible, where God’s mighty power and fearsome holiness are vividly on display. There I read of a majestic King, both perfectly holy and utterly sovereign. That’s the terror part! He governs every detail of history, and every detail of my life. 

But layered within that message is the constant harmony line of God’s pure goodness and the astonishing message of His never-ending love for sinners like me, in the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus in my place.

“And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess --
The wonders of His glorious love
And my unworthiness.”
(Elizabeth C. Clephane, Beneath the Cross of Jesus)

More than anything, I long to convey these twin wonders -- God’s holiness and His mercy. I’m flooded with joy knowing I belong to a trustworthy, loving God who forgives me and never leaves me!

God’s truth holds fast, His love holds you and His grace never fails.

The God I love has shown His kindness to me time after time in providing for our family for nearly four decades. With a large family on one income, we saw His providential care for us in the smallest of details, from custom-made draperies at a bargain price, to needed employment, to the impossible dream of owning a home in the country.

Learning to trust Him in the daily things of life has been practice for trusting Him in the frightening, the disappointing, the painful, and the tragic. In 2012, our 18-year-old son Paul was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

In confusion and grief, in agony and loss, I learned that Jesus is a shelter in the storm. I cling to the promises in scripture because He has proved ever-faithful. His truth holds fast, His love holds me and His grace never fails.

Very well written and engaging, poignant and emotional, without being over the top.
The characters are well drawn and intriguing. I highly recommend this book,
and not just because one of the main heroes shares my name!

~ Jesse Jost

Spotlight on Eleanor

Favorite Things

  • The swish of a tape measure  
  • The squeal of a power tool {These two reveal my eagerness to see our 16-year DIY whole-house renovation completed!}
  • All my grown sons kibbutzing together (they’re very witty!)
  • A long conversation about Jesus and theology with whoever will indulge with me
  • Listening to Handel’s Messiah
  • Mowing our acreage, seasonally scented by lilacs, chokeberry blossoms, wolf willow, or alfalfa
  • Reading to/chatting/snuggling with my 5 (soon to be 7) grandchildren
  • Sewing (especially quilts)
  • Flower gardening (Lilies! Roses! Delphiniums!)
  • A deep discussion with my husband (or daughter, or sister, or mother, or friend)

TBR List

  • I See You by Claire Mackintosh
  • The Gospel-Driven Life by Michael Horton
  • Suffering Well by Rick Thomas
  • The Mother-in-Law by Sara Hepworth
  • Desiring God by John Piper

Favorite place to read
On my bed, or stretched out on the couch. With fuzzy blanket. And chocolate.

Favorite quote or Bible verse
Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (Dt. 32: 3,4)

coupled with...

He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)

Favorite character you’ve created

Can I pick three? None of these are my main characters, but they appeal to me anyway. (The first two appear in my first book as well.)

Anna Fawcett, a wise senior whose insightful questions and warm caring transform those she touches. (She’s modelled after my own mother.)
Jesse Fawcett, her 24yo son who has Down syndrome. I love his quirky ways, many of which are derived from my own son, Timo, or accounts of real people with DS as told to me by their families.
Jake Adrian, cultish, controlling legalist, manipulative self-styled prophet, tyrant of his family, money lover and secret gambler, northern Alberta farmer. (It was alarming to me how easily his wonky theology flowed onto the page!)

Eleanor's
Mosaic titles

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