If you are like me, and had your head in the sand when the book was widely discussed and shared, pick it up now and read it. It is a very influential work of fiction.
Click below if you want to read more.
We meet MacKenzie, a man who is broken in the face of a heinous tragedy. His daughter was taken by a serial killer and killed. The police never recovered the body. The killer was never caught. Mack walks through life enshrouded by "The Great Sadness" as he terms it. This constant companion clouds his view of the world. He also is extremely angry at God for allowing this to happen.
Mack is sent a note from "Papa" to meet him at the shack (where his daughter's bloody clothes were found). "Papa" is the name Mack's wife uses when she prays to God. Mack is incensed and curious all at the same time. He arranges to go to the shack to face whoever the joker was who sent the note.
Mack was not prepared for who was waiting for him there. Here he met "Papa" (God the Father), "Sarayu" (God the Holy Spirit), and Jesus (God the Son). Over the weekend, Mack holds many conversations with God, and discovers many truths.
The author painted a great picture of love and truth in the action of a reciprocal relationship with God and with one another. I was captivated enough to read this twice in a row, and I even used two colors to highlight my favorite passages, like this narrative from "Papa" speaking to Mack:
Consider our little friend here (a blue jay). Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around. You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around.
Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you.
Mack, pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly. And if it's left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place.
Don't let pain or sadness become your constant companion. Allow yourself the freedom to be loved.
Peg and I read this when it came out. Profound truth at it's best. Who would have ever thought ... God, a black women wearing bibs if I remember correctly. Loved this book.
ReplyDeleteIt took me by surprise, too, and frankly, I was disturbed by it at first. I am glad I stuck with the book long enough to get the full picture of grace.
ReplyDelete