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These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sep6

Finding True Treasure

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful and beautiful Christian historical novel that I adored. It is set in small-town America in 1930.

This is a book about love and relationships – whether with people, places or God. It is also a time when the old order of things is breaking down. “Her father had grudgingly agreed [to marriage] once he’d confirmed Preston’s bank account.” This was an old class system of marriage alliances to bolster families.

We witness different types of marriage. A couple chose love over wealth. Another chose financial security over love. Both marriages worked but in different ways. Being older when facing marriage definitely brings a different set of priorities.

A younger character is not comfortable in his skin. He continually feels that he needs to earn love. For him, rising up the financial ladder will bring love – he doesn’t realise that his other half loves him for who he is, and not the size of his bank account. “Rich or poor, or anywhere in between, honesty is the soil in which strong relationships grow.”

1930 in America was a difficult time for many. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 saw many people lose their money. But “when God closed a door, He often opened a window.”  We find that “It’s troubles that have done the most to shape me into the woman I am today.” We grow more in the valleys than we do on the mountaintop. It is in the valleys that we realise our great need for God.

When we know God, we can praise Him in the valleys as well as on the mountain top.

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The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Jayna Breigh & Kimberley Woodhouse

Aug24

God At The Centre

The Last Noel is a collection of three stories by Sarah Hamaker, Jayna Breigh and Kimberley Woodhouse. They are Christian contemporary stories set in the run up to Christmas. The three are similar but different. They all have God at the centre.

We learn about the power of forgiveness. “Forgiveness is the way to healing.” When we forgive, we release ourselves from the prison of bitterness. “Lord, God… Help me to pour out forgiveness. Please help no more bitterness to grow.” Sometimes we cannot forgive in our strength. We need to press into God and forgive in His strength.

Life can be difficult at times. We need to lean on God. “Mummy said you talked to God. How do you do that?” asked a five-year-old. God is literally just a prayer away. He will calm all the storms of life. “She’d had to give it completely over to God so she didn’t worry.” We must worry about nothing, and pray about everything.

In Kimberley Woodhouse’s tale Do You Know What I Know?, there ius a literal storm. We witness the community pulling together.

Within life, we may meet bad people. We know that whatever happens, when we know God, we can know that He is in control.

A character in Sarah Hamaker’s story Do You See What I See?, has little self-worth. “When you come from a bad home life… and… aren’t wanted by anyone, you start to believe no one will want to be with you.” She needs to know that she is loved, and that people will stick around.

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Chase The Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Aug15

Searching For True Treasure

Chase The Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a marvellous contemporary Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the National Parks Summers series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Acadia National Park is the setting for this book. The landscape comes to life under the author’s artistic pen. We ‘see’ the rugged landscape, the high mountains and the crashing waves. It truly is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

There is an ancient mystery to solve and gold treasure to find, hidden in the park, but help will be needed to solve the clues.

We see that legacy and heritage are important. We want to preserve the things of the past. A character wants to save the town’s newspaper as it was started by his distant ancestor. The past is important. We can learn from it as we move into the future.

A leading character belongs to the Penobscot people who worked the land long before the white settlers arrived. Their heritage is important to preserve. “Native Americans all share responsibility for the next generation.” Unfortunately prejudice still exists. Though the Native American character has a commanding presence, he still feels invisible at times due to his heritage.

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Trains & Tulips by Savannah Jane McCrary

Jul28

The Light Breaks Through The Darkness

Trains & Tulips by Savannah Jane McCrary is a powerful Christian historical Young Adult book that I loved from the start. I read it in just two sittings.

This is a book that will educate you as you read. The action is set in Holland during World War II. The author has clearly and concisely constructed her tale about the war, around the Dutch people. The cast of characters are from all walks of life. Savannah Jane McCrary’s ability to weave a tale brings history to life for the reader.

As the book progresses, the light over Holland is being extinguished but “the darkness will not last forever.” One day peace will come.

The Resistance had their own version of the 10 commandments. Number 9 stood out for me. “Thou shalt pursue light even in the darkness, for light remains light.”

The Resistance in Holland was strong. The members came from all walks of life, united in wanting to disrupt the Nazi war machine. “Some bullies can’t just be ignored. They need to be stood up to.”

As the noose tightened around the Jewish people, there would be those who would help. “At the end of my life, when I stand before God, I don’t want to say ‘I did nothing in the face of such evil.’ I just keep thinking ‘I have to do something.’”

We know that “we always have a choice… Sometimes it costs us.” – Could we have stood by and done nothing? Or would we have been moved to act? I would like to think it was the latter.

Characters did what they could. Some took photos. “Someone has to document this. Someone has to make sure justice is done.” Others hid babies. Others were more active and paid the ultimate sacrifice. “Soon, Heaven would no longer be a future hope but a present reality… A deep sense of peace filled him.”

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