I read this book and wrote the review (in a book journal I keep) about two and a half years ago. I know this book has been read by many of you, but I thought I would post this while I finish up about three different books. That way I can think about the other books and hear from you about this particular book as well. I will say, that I'm never sure I "get" what I'm supposed to "get" from books written with obvious religious purpose. That does not mean I don't like them, but there's always a Doubting Sarah voice in my head telling me that better people understand the book on a deeper level. It's a small voice and I don't like her, but she pops up every once in awhile. With this particular book, I had a hard time separating my mothering emotions from the rest of the story (I was pregnant with my second at the time I read this). I always wonder if the child is frightened in situations such as this, or situations of abuse, and if they're able to feel God's love around them despite the fear. And then I can't think about anything else and I end up crying in an airport and wishing I could hug every kid around me, cause who knows what might happen? And don't we all deserve to physically feel love and kindness? And then I stop crying because there was a short circuit between my head and my heart. But I still want to hug all the kids I see. That's frowned upon, in case you were wondering. Anyway......here are my thoughts about this book but what I really want to know is what were your thoughts?
Truthfully, I'm not sure what to make of
this one. I picked it up at O'Hare on my way home from Carrie's and I read it quickly. Thought I'm still not sure if I truly understand or am taking the right things away from it.....but I guess just the wondering is part of the book's goal.
Mr. Young is telling this story for his friend Mac. Mac's little girl was kidnapped and murdered by a serial killer while Mac had his kids on a camping trip. Mac's relationship with God was already cautious, but after that tragedy it became contentious. After receiving a note from "Papa" to meet at the shack (where his daughter was killed), he goes not knowing what to expect.
He spends the weekend with three representations of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He asks questions, makes judgments, walks on water, sees his daughter, heals his relationship with his dead father and ultimately decides to go back to the "real" world when given the choice to stay in this alternate existence/reality/fugue state. Mac wakes up in a hospital after a terrible car accident. There are more details, but I think the point is that God loves us despite and because of ourselves even when we struggle to do the same.
I am almost glad to hear you have your doubts also. I most always doubt myself when reading something religious, whether it be the Bible or some book we are using in Sunday School or just something I have picked up to broaden my knowledge. I always want things to be simple and understandable. I know life isn't always that simple, but I do think that one simple but hard to swallow fact about this book is that God loves us and wants us to be happy, but he has not promised that life will be easy or that bad things aren't going to happen. Trust, faith and love is what he gives us and we have to learn to deal with the bad things with his help. I think everyone should read this book.
ReplyDelete