The Shack

I finally finished it. I'm a little bit mellow right now. In my experience it's a book that you have to think about and process. Keep leaving comments with your numbers and I'll do the drawing on Friday to give it away.

I can't tell you the number of ways this book touched me. I read it at exactly the right time in my life. If you don't win the drawing, I encourage you to read it anyways.

I've mentioned that I've been going to counseling. That's pretty private, and so I don't talk about that. One thing I will share though pertains to this book. I asked King if he had read it. He had, he refers it to many clients. He wanted my take on it...so I told him. He said that he thinks that we all have a "Missy". He asked me who mine was. I had never thought about that. But I immediately knew my answer...Nathan. Not the Nathan I see or know now or hear about, but the little boy who is about 6 years old and can't see that God has an abundant amount of grace for even him. That kills me.

That is very, very personal for me to share, but I do because I do think we all have someone like that in our lives or will have someone. Does that mean that I don't want to lash out in anger...oh, believe me...you have no idea. I can forgive, I have for what he did to me...but man, you want to talk about something that makes me angry? My kids...the hurt they have, and will have. Forgiveness for what he did to them is...well... as I discovered while reading this book is something I need to keep working on. I guess maybe though, I need to let go of that and realize that they will have to work on that, and if I can't forgive him for that, then how will they have a good Christian example if they don't see that in me?

Heavy, heavy stuff...

I didn't want the book to end. It was just so enjoyable, while also spiritually heavy. Ya know though, it doesn't have to end, because we can all have that kind of relationship with God. It's right there!!! You just have to reach out and take it. So many people look for it in the wrong place, and I can't say I blame them. I've been there. I've done that. I guess maybe when you're stripped of EVERYTHING and the only thing you can reach IS God, you don't have a lot of choice. I just wish for so many people in this world that they would come to realize the truth. You're not going to find what you're looking for in your backyard, your car, your job, or your Jimmy Choo's.

Ahhhh...I won't give up though. God is good!