Overflowing Grace
Restoring Love by Jennifer Slattery is a delightful contemporary Christian romance, packed full of Godly themes which I adored.
Restoring Love is about just that – love. A love that loves unconditionally. A love that goes deep. A love that restores and redeems. It is about God’s love for us. No-one is ever beyond God’s love and grace. As each one of us receives His love and grace so we must pass it on. “I wouldn’t be sitting here today if someone hadn’t offered me grace.”
Prayer is powerful. Prayer changes lives. Prayer is talking to God and building a relationship. Prayer is petitioning God on behalf of others. Pray without ceasing and never give up. God always hears our prayers. “What if she prayed? Would God listen?” God always bends an ear to prayer. No one is out of reach of God.
Life can be hard. Life can keep knocking us down. Sometimes we equate God with man and believe He has abandoned us. “If she were a praying woman… but she stopped believing in fairytales long ago.” God is not a fairytale. He will never leave us nor forsake us. If we cannot see or feel Him, it does not mean He is not there.
Forgiveness is linked to grace. We all have a past. We all need forgiveness. “Forgiveness is only a prayer away.” We all need to forgive others. We all need to forgive ourselves.
The novel has the theme of kindness and reaching out to others. “Acts of kindness… are never a mistake.” Sometimes people are suspicious of kindness. They cannot believe they are receiving something for nothing. They feel unworthy but because of the Cross, we are all equal. “As to whether or not you fit in – the Cross says you do.”
In Jesus we are a new creation. God has taken our messy, mixed up lives and He makes us new. “She was a new creation… everyone had a history.” Our history is our past. God gives us a new story.
The novel deals with the difficult topics of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and abortion. They are sensitively covered, showing how love is needed and not judgment.
There is the theme of loss. It causes pain and anger. It takes time to adjust to a new ‘normal.’ The effects of grief can be felt down the years.
The theme of restoration is shown not only in people but mirrored in property. Just as property needs love, care and attention, so people do too.
There is a community feel to the novel. People working together, reaching out to others. The church functioning as Jesus intended it too.
I love Jennifer Slattery’s writings. They have strong messages that are heartfelt and speak to my soul. Restoring Love was a beautiful novel. I immersed myself in its pages, sank into the atmosphere and emerged with a smile on my face.
A wonderful read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
JULIA WILSON