Immanuel, God With Us
The Sands Of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that I savoured and never wanted to end.
The novel is about family and love; and the love that God has for His children. The action is seen through the eyes of the two lead characters, mainly in ‘now’ but we also glimpse ‘then.’
There is a wonderful air of love pervading the whole novel. The lead characters offer delightful banter as they tease each other, producing smiles from the reader.
There is a pain in love associated with loss as a character feels rudderless and afraid to love, as she never wants to experience loving and losing again. “Love is a bit scary. You never know when the one you love could be ripped away from you.” This fear follows her from childhood and into adulthood. “I can’t go through life fearing the people I love will die.” She remembers her mother, “Mom always chose to love.” Love is always worth the risk.
A character withdraws from God. “God didn’t feel near when Mom was dying.” Even if we do not see or feel God, He always walks alongside us.”
In Sea Blue Beach there is the story of Immanuel, God with us. God is very much at the heart of the town. He needs to be at the heart of our lives too. “I didn’t need music to feel worthy because I’d found the One who made me worthy.” We find out who we are, by knowing whose we are.
Wherever we go, God goes with us. “Does Immanuel, God with us, come with us when we leave?” God goes wherever we are. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
We see the danger of regrets. Regrets will hold us back. “If only Emery had known then what she knew now… She’d have spent more time with Mom.” Regrets prevent us from moving forwards. We need to let go, and let God deal with our regrets.
Sea Blue Beach is divided into East and West. There is conflict and rivalry when really the town should work together for the good of the whole.
There are two loving families within the novel. Both have elder daughters who feel unloved. How they both deal with life is very different but they both need to be like the prodigal son, and come home.
Both girls realise they have been listening to the wrong voices. “You’re living in the past – in the lies of someone who didn’t love you. Come home, let your family tell you who you are.” Listen to the voices that say we are loved.
I absolutely adored The Sands Of Sea Blue Beach. It was such a charming and beautiful novel. I am sorry that it is ended.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. Al opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
