Gifts Freely Given
Love’s Unfading Light by Naomi Rawlings is a delightful Christian historical romance which I loved. Naomi Rawlings words warmed my heart from the start as I sank into the novel.
The novel is highly amusing with warm and wonderful characters who love deeply. This love oozes from the pages, enveloping the reader. By the end, I had made new friends and I cannot wait for the second book to continue the story.
God is present throughout. Life’s knocks may mean we feel unworthy of God’s love. “He has no plan for me. He forgot about me long ago.” Life may have made us angry with God as we feel unloved and forgotten. God never forgets us. He never stops loving us and He has a plan for our lives. No matter how dark it feels, God is still there. “It doesn’t matter how dark and cold the night is, because it [God’s love] always rises again in the morning.”
The novel has the theme of unconditional gifts. We give gifts without strings attached. How much greater is the gift of grace that God freely gives?
There are the twin themes of guilt and forgiveness. Sometimes our guilt is understandable. Other times we pick up someone else’s guilt and carry a burden that was never ours. Either way we need to forgive ourselves. “You don’t have to leave… and start new, you just have to forgive yourself.” If we are running from ourselves, we will never achieve that. God has forgiven us. Now we need to do the same or we will be guilty of hubris.
The sins of the fathers visiting the next generation is another theme. We need to break the hold of the past before it destroys the present and future.
Reputation is important. We can stand or fall by our behaviour.
Kindness and giving are themes too. The story reminded me of the widows mitre – characters with very little gave to those with even less.
The love of money can bring out some very ugly traits. There is nothing wrong with money if it is used wisely. If it becomes your focus and your raison d’etre, you are in trouble.
There is a wonderful community feel. In times of trouble, the people all pull together. The theme of hospitality links in here as the town bonds over bring and share food.
I absolutely adored Love’s Unfading Light. Naomi Rawlings is a new author to me and oh what a delightful author she is. I cannot wait to read more.
A perfectly wonderful read that will soothe your soul.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
JULIA WILSON