Heart Warming

Ants Across The Page by Connie Averitt Williams is the most heart warming Christian novel that I just could not put down. I read it in just one sitting.

The book is set on a farm in small town America during the 1960’s. The town is called Walnut Grove which reminded me of Walnut Grove in the Little House On The Prairie books and so that is what I pictured as I read.

It is in the farmhouse that we meet a very realistic dysfunctional family that have hearts full of love. The family consists of a widower, a seven year old with Downs Syndrome and eleven year old Luke who has dyslexia (undiagnosed). The mother died and they are all trying to cope as best they can. Housekeepers come and go until one day Maggie, a heavily pregnant lady, lands on their doorstep. She is larger than life with a heart that loves and keeps on loving.

Now, the house has a beating heart and a united family is born. Family are those who love us. Maggie is the hands and feet, the eyes and ears of Jesus. She loves through actions not words. She recognizes a family in need of rescue. And in turn, the family rescues her. We are reminded that God longs to rescue us from our situations.

Faith is important. We need to teach our world about Jesus. Maggie knows Jesus and introduces Him in a relaxed way. “When Maggie prayed, she talked to God like He was sitting right next to her, listening.” Maggie shows what a relationship with Jesus looks like. Jesus is there beside us. He takes our messes and transforms them into something beautiful.