MN: Tabitha is not only a big part of helping Gabriel conquer his fears, but she is instrumental in Gabriel wading through the unforgiveness and resentment he didn’t even know he carried. I think couples can learn a lot from Gabriel and Tabitha. True love can and will bring out the very best in us. There will be struggles though. Gabriel had so much to work through and Tabitha represented a seemingly unattainable life of freedom and love. The biggest thing is there can be unexpected surprises in our relationships. For Gabriel it was finding out who Tabitha’s father was. The only way home for Gabriel was down the path of forgiveness, at The River.
AA: There are journal entries spaced throughout the book. How did the idea to include passages from John’s journals come about, and what would you say the journal means to Gabriel’s journey?
MN: The Journal becomes Gabriel’s constant companion. It’s his guide, his wisdom, his connection to his history, and a light to the path of his future as a river guide. In addition to direct messages from his father and grandfather, it contains “the ways of The River.” My grandfather passed away a few years back. I was very close to him. Before he died, he gave me a large spiral-bound notebook full of as many memories of his life as he could muster to the page. I loved having that window into his life. I also am so very thankful for the spiritual letters that have been left for us all in the Holy Bible. It’s a journal really, God’s thoughts and His interactions with people throughout history. It’s His story, and I love it that we can mine its inexhaustible treasures. It’s our connection to relationship with Him and His destiny for us.
AA: What are your aspirations for readers of The River? What do you hope they take away from Gabriel’s story?
MN: I hope and pray the story and its characters take hold of people. More importantly, I pray The River takes hold of their hearts. I want people to know they are not alone in their grief and suffering. I want them to know that beauty can rise from the ashes of brokenness. I want people to seize a life of purpose and the destiny that is waiting for them. I want them to live for something greater than the here and now. I want them to experience all The River has to offer.
About the Author
GIFTED WRITER, VETERAN PERFORMER, AND MASTER-ful storyteller are all phrases used to describe Michael Neale. He’s currently leading a live, multimedia concert event known as The River Experience, which immerses the audience in breathtaking film imagery and a world-class musical score. Michael resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with his wife, Leah, and their children, Micah, Maisie, and Wyatt.
Michael Neale, Author
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www.michaelneale.com
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@mwneale
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