The Hardest Peace: A Severe Mercy Part 1

     It has been too long since the last post here.  Recently, a list was made of things I would enjoy doing. Return to blogging was one of the goals.  This blog was established as a place to "process" greats books I read.  Rest assured reading never stops...but just haven't allowed myself the time and luxury of blogging.  

      Two books have helped my motivation:  The Hardest Peace, by Kara Tippetts and A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken.

      Part 1 here will be for The Hardest Peace, Part 2 will be for A Severe Mercy.

      I first heard of Kara Tippets toward the end of 2014 when a young woman made the news, planning to end her live prematurely in order to avoid the hard end of dying of cancer. She wanted to decide when she would die. Kara, a wife and mother of 4, also dying of cancer, wrote a letter, published through her blog Mundane Faithfulness, trying to dissuade this action and share the love of Christ with her.

      Shortly thereafter, I began to follow Kara on Facebook. From those posts I heard about her book The Hardest Peace. I just had to know what her story held, what she had to say about her life, her faith.

     The first couple of chapters are about Kara's early years: Growing up, becoming a follower of Christ, meeting and marrying her husband, becoming a mom, and the devastation felt by problems in their church.   In a conversation between Kara and Jason, her husband, about what they went through with their church, Jason said, "Kara, tomorrow we get to wake up and be faithful.  Whatever each step brings, and whatever hard comes, people will always disappoint us. But tomorrow, tomorrow we get to be faithful in that moment." Kara says, "Sometimes the hardest peace to find is the peace in saying goodbye and leaving the work of justice and reconciliation to Jesus."  (My husband and I have lived this.  It is hard, but yields a harvest of peace.)

      After moving to a new state and home, Kara learned she had breast cancer.  Before the last breath of the fight, she learned it has spread.  Later, she would learn that the fight was over for her, there was nothing more doctors could do, now life would shift to keeping her comfortable.

     Kara wrote, "Jason recently said in a sermon, 'We want suffering to be like pregnancy--we have a season, and its over, and there is a tidy moral to the story.' I've come to sense that isn't what faith is all about.  What if there is never and end?  What if the story never improves and the tests continue to break our hearts?  Is God still good?"

"But because I believe God's plans for me are better than what I could plan for myself, rather than run away from the path he has set before me, I want to run toward it.  I don't want to try to change God's mind--his thoughts are perfect.  I want to think his thoughts.  I don't want to  change God's timing--his timing is perfect.  I want the grace to accept his timing.  I don't want to change God's plan--his plan is perfect. I want to embrace his plan and see how he is glorified through it.  I want to submit."

     Though it is hard to be in the "hard places" with the those who are suffering, Kara so lovingly weaves the story of cancer, the story of her family and the story of how God is redeeming all of it for His glory in not only her life, but the lives of those around her.

      Kara says, "God gives us morsels of eternity over here, crumbs really, and we beg for them to remain when there is a feast awaiting us.  We beg for scraps when the very best is promised."

      So, why is this part 1 ?  In The Hardest Peace, Kara talks about a book in which she and Jason found common ground while dating: A Severe Mercy.  These two books will forever be linked in my mind.  So Part 2...to be continued...   

Anne of Green Gables

Glad to be back here today.  Thanks to this wonderful offer from Amazon for Kindle, Anne of Green Gables Collection, I have for the first time been pulled into the world of Anne of Green Gables.  I had no idea how incomplete my life had been without having ever met Ann with and e :)

 

For starters, I love regular girl stories, because that's what I am.  I love her talking, because, well, if you know me at all, you'll get that one.  I love how starting with Matthew, almost everyone around her loves her despite their first impressions.  I love how her personality is a bright light to the world around her. 

 Marilla Cuthbert: I'm afraid for her, Matthew. She'll be gone so long. She'll get terrible lonesome.
Matthew Cuthbert: You mean, we'll get terrible lonesome.
Marilla Cuthbert: I can't help wishing that she'd stayed a little girl.
Matthew Cuthbert: Mrs. Spencer made a lucky mistake, I guess.
Marilla Cuthbert: It wasn't luck; it was Providence. He knew we needed her.
Matthew Cuthbert: Even with her queer little ways.
Marilla Cuthbert: I loved her for them. 

Her spunk, love of the beauty of nature, honest relationship to God, fierce love of the people closest to her...yes, I could go on and on...

So here's a question for those who have read her and a tease for those who need to....

Leave a comment if you know what scene this picture is from :)

Nature Journal: Cherry Blossoms

A handsome little man of mine brought me cherry blossoms today! Big smile from Mommy :)

The Hunger Games Trilogy

Part of me didn't want to read these books, The Hunger Games Trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay). Two chapters in, realizing the premise, I could only picture "Lord of the Flies" that my high school English teacher made us read. But after reading a review I picked it up again, hopeful for redeeming qualities.

Panem is what is left of the United States in a otherwise destroyed world. It is controlled by "The Capitol" and its President Snow. Seventy four years ago, when District 13 rebelled and was destroyed, the Capitol sets up The Hunger Games, enlisting two children 12-18 from each district as a means to control the other districts through their horror.

Katniss tells us all about her life in District 12 leading up to the reaping of the girl and boy from District 12. When her little sister's name is drawn, she steps up to take her place and the games begin.

Katniss is thrown in to an arena to kill or be killed by 23 other kids. She does kill throughout the books, but does have the redeeming quality of trying to save everyone around her who doesn't want her dead.

A love story unfolds as the other boy from 12, Peeta, declares he has loved her since their younger childhood. After realizing he allied with others to try to protect her, and that the gamemakers have changed the rules so that two tributes from the same district can be co-victors, Katniss seeks Peeta out and keeps him alive. They do sleep in the same space often, for warmth, survival and later to still Katniss's nightmares, but that and some kissing is as far as it goes.

Despite the horrific circumstances, Katniss constantly is true to her upbringing and character in her care and devotion to those around her, first displayed in the ceremony she gives Rue, her first ally who is killed by another tribute.

One thing I definitely liked about the books, is that Katniss even fights the rebels when they cross the line in their defense against the Capitol by fighting like the Capitol. They justify fighting the Capitol using their own tactics, but Katniss insists on what will protect the humans already used and abused as the guide in these decisions.

There is a parallel to real life that I can't quite put into words yet. The fight for truth, justice, rightness. The fight against those that would control us, use us for their own gain and dispose of us when they are finished. The confusion of love when one's emotions are so badly damaged. Fighting to determine what the real reality is despite all of the propaganda that abounds. The evil that exists in humankind (though the answer is found in humankind, instead of its Creator who is never mentioned).

As I've been reading the journals of Jim Elliot in between reading these 3 books, I cannot help but think of "He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose." I have often wondered if in our spoiled "Capitol" we would have what it takes to stand for freedom or have we been lulled by our past success. But even more so, would we stand on the Word no matter the circumstances, knowing that not to "fight the the good fight" would be worse than death. As a Christ follower, I am left with more gratitude that this world is not my home.

Traveling Light for Mothers

I have known about Max Lucado for years, but never read any of his work until recently. Netflix has a video of 3:16 (the link is an audio message though) which I watched. I also read Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms. So when I came across Traveling Light for Mothers I was intrigued. I will say that something about the way Mr. Lucado explains our relationship with the Lord, well, his words bring soothing hope and encouragement.

He covers moms' amazing purses, the burdens of self-reliance, discontent, weariness, worry, hopelessness and guilt.

So, here is an excerpt from this little gift size book....you might want to look it up for a mother in your life...

Haven't you been known to pack your bag with some unnecessary items? Odds are, you did this morning. Somewhere between the first step on the floor and the last step out the door, you stuffed your bag full. It wasn't a bag made of leather, but the one of the mind. And you didn't fill it with books or BandAids or Binaca, you filled it with burdens. The kind of burdens that moms carry. The suitcase of guilt. A sack of discontent. You drape a duffel bag of weariness on one shoulder and a hanging bag of worry on the other. No wonder you're so tired at the end of the day. Toting those kinds of bags is exhausting. What you were saying to me, God is saying to you, "Set that stuff down! You're carrying burdens you don't need to bear. 'Come unto me,' he invites, 'all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NLT)

If you are like me and carry the "weight of the world" sometimes, you might enjoy this book! There is a whole book with this same title (minus the For Mothers part) . (I haven't read it yet!)

Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot

On the heels of reading The Great Divorce by CS Lewis I came across a used copy of Passion and Purity which my friend Julie had told me about. The subtitle is Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control. I believe it could also be subtitled, Learning to bring your life under Christ's control and be content with His plans for you!









I have been married for many years now. I definitely see the benefit this book has for the unmarried adult or teen, however, I believe it would benefit anyone who wants to understand what a life sold out to being an ambassador for Christ looks like.

Elisabeth Elliot was married (by the end of the book) to Jim Elliot, the famous missionary martyred along with four other men in the jungles of Ecuador. The story of the sacrifice these men made all so that some how the Gospel could be told to this unreached tribe has overwhelmed me for quite some time. The men in fact had guns, but refused to use them for protection because it might have meant the tribe would never be reached with the gospel.

I will not give you much more about that part, but you can see it for yourself in Through Gates of Splendor or End of the Spear.

So, knowing the end of their lives as a married couple, it was beautiful to read of the leading up to that relationship. Jim and Elisabeth both felt called to ministry and especially missions before they met in college. They fell in love with each other, but Jim had felt clearly that the Lord did not want him to marry yet. He wasn't sure if it meant ever, or just until some point in his life was reached. So Passion and Purity deals with the years that they stayed apart waiting on the Lord and each other. Now, I know that this is very valuable for those who are awaiting the possibility of marriage, but I also was struck throughout the book with the fact that all of us as followers of Christ must be willing to lay aside all that we think we desire to following Him first and foremost. We are called to spread the Good News of Christ with everyone around us and to the uttermost parts of the Earth. How many things do we allow to come before that call?

I will not summarize their whole romance, but I will share a few quotes (my favorite part!)

If there is an Enemy of Souls (and I have not the slightest doubt that there is), one thing he cannot abide is the desire for purity. Hence a man or woman's passions become his battleground. The Lover of Souls does not prevent this. I was perplexed because it seemed to me He should prevent it, but He doesn't. He wants us to learn to use our weapons.


What kind of a God is it who asks everything of us? The same God who "...did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all; and with this gift how can he fail to lavish upon us all he has to give?" He gives all. He asks all.


I knew, and I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done. Acceptance of whatever that means is the great victory of faith that overcomes the world.

This book left me really wanting to read Jim Elliot's journals, which Elisabeth also published!

Finally back....and CS Lewis "The Great Divorce"

I have missed sharing for the last several months. November was apparently the last time I both had time and could sit in my chair to write. December found me mostly in the bed with back problems. I am thankful to be able to sit and share once again!

I have had CS Lewis' The Great Divorce on my shelf for sometime in line to read. Recently, I felt led to pick it up. I am so very glad I was blessed with the chance to read it.

The story is a dream. Only a dream. Lewis makes clear that He is not "claiming knowledge of what no mortal man knows." (chapter 14)

Having understood that, the story begins as a young man from the Grey City enters the line for the bus. The bus takes air and carries them to "another" place. After disembarking from the bus, they are each met by "bright people". The man observes encounter after encounter of the passengers as they are offered the chance to climb the mountains and press on (to heaven). I see myself and/or others (saved and lost unfortunately) in each encounter.

The first encounter is of a "moral man" (in his own estimation) who's "bright person" was a murderer on earth. He cannot imagine how the murderer could possibly be there. Says the "bright" man to the moral,

"That is a little hard to understand at first. But it is all over now. You will be pleased about it presently. Till then there is no need to bother about it."

"No need to bother about it? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"No, Not as you mean. I do not look at myself, I have given up myself. I had to, you know, after the murder. That was what it did for me. And that was how everything began."

The "moral man" goes on and on about how good he was and how he deserves his rights because of it. The bright man responds:

"Oh no. It's not so bad as that. I haven't got my rights, or I should not be here. You will not get yours either. You'll get something far better. Never fear."

Another encounter deals with our thinking that as long as we live by our "honest opinions" all will be well in the end. Yet another just wants to "have a look around", our modern version of "try God" I suppose, expecting God to entertain him.

Our main character finally meets with his bright person (a rather famous one who had quite a mark on the salvation of CS Lewis). He explains that the visitor cannot understand heavenly things until he arrives there,

"That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say 'Let me have but this and I'll take the consequences': little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin even before death. The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven: the bad man's past already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness..."

"There is always something they insist on keeping even at the price of misery. There is always something they prefer to joy-that is, to reality."

Several quotes I love sum up so much of what I took away from this reading.

Every poet and musician and artist, but for Grace, is drawn away from love of the things he tells, to love of the telling till, down in Deep Hell, they cannot be interested in God at all but only in what they say about Him.


'But of course!' said the Spirit, shining with love and mirth so that my eyes were dazzled. 'That's what we all find when we reach this country. We've all been wrong! That's the great joke. There's no need to go on pretending one was right! After that we begin to live.'


There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks at Him and bad when it turns from Him.


How very many ways we find to reject God as He is, not as we want to make Him out to be. When all along, He stands, with loving arms, ready to be all He is in us every hour of every day. I guess that is what I take away from this book. Lord, open my eyes. You are God alone!