One of my favorite parts in developing my novel characters is giving them a challenge or flaw to overcome, some area of their heart that needs the Lord’s touch to make whole. Readers can relate to characters who struggle through hardships and imperfections because life is filled with challenges.

That’s one of the reasons I love the story of King David in the Bible. He’s called a “man after God’s own heart”. But why? What was it about David that earned him such an honored title? After all, he was merely a shepherd boy, viewed by his older brothers as a pesky, interfering younger brother until he took on Goliath and wound up living in the king’s palace!

Even then, David’s life wasn’t free of troubles. He had a jealous king on his tail for more than a decade. Two of his sons tried to dethrone him. He had an unloving wife and a close friend who was killed in the prime of his life. And the list goes on.

David made some huge blunders along the way–and paid for them dearly. He was a murderer, an adulterer, and a liar. So in all of this mess, how was it David caught the Lord’s attention and deemed him a man after His own heart?

I’m convinced it was because although far from perfect, no matter what difficulty David faced or how great of sin he committed, he never lost his desire to please God. When he sinned, he repented wholeheartedly. When he was troubled, he looked to God for guidance. And He never ceased to give God the glory when he enjoyed success.

In the psalms, we read David’s prayers of praise, thanksgiving, grief, and repentance. The Lord infiltrated every aspect of his life, his heart, his soul. If we want to walk closely with the Lord, we too need to include Him in everything we do. Wholehearted devotion to God is a daily commitment, one that takes a lifetime to achieve. May each of us strive to become people after God’s own heart!

When do you feel closest to God? I’d love to hear your experience!

**Read how God works in the lives of Cynthia’s characters in her Inspirational, Historical Romance (Prairie Sky) Series.

UNDER THIS SAME SKY ~ BOOK ONE

~ She thought she’d lost everything ~ Instead she found what she needed most ~

Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES ~ BOOK TWO

~ Beyond shattered dreams lies a realm of possibilities ~

**Connect with Cynthia Roemer on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. Read more of her writing at: Putting on the New Blog.