Trusting In The Dark

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful Christian historical novel set in 1930. Some details are factual, around which the author has woven her story.

The main focus of the novel is an ancient feud, sparked by jealousy of the gifts from God. It is Old Testament stuff – an eye for an eye but Jesus shows us a new way, He calls us to love our enemies and to forgive. “God loves everyone – no matter how wrong we might think they are.” It does not matter what we think of people, each one is a child of God.

The feud is fuelled by anger. We need to let our anger go. When we cannot do this in our strength, we must ask God for help. “It was going to take long hours on his knees to let this anger go.”

God asks that we are obedient to His calling. At its core, the novel has the Jonah theme. Sometimes God has to bring us to our knees before we obey Him. Far better to respond when we first heart His voice.

God uses a child to soften a heart of stone. Fences around a heart meant to protect, have imprisoned instead.

Jesus used parables to teach lessons. People will learn far more through stories than when we bash them with our Bibles. We need to live and love like Jesus.

Trust is a major theme. It requires little trust when we can see in the light. Trusting in the dark is a whole new level. “When you can’t trust anyone else, trust God.”

God looks at our hearts. Within the novel there is prejudice against skin colour – one is too dark, another too light. We need to look beyond the surface to see the heart that beats beneath.

When Silence Sings was a wonderful and powerful read. It was beautiful to witness hearts turning to God.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON