This section of our reading takes us to the end of the first chapter of this book and through to end of the 2nd, which is also the last chapter. And while we read, the author revisits all of his relationships—from his love of Gilead, his complicated relationships with his grandfather, father, and brother, to his oldest and dearest friend and that friend’s son, his first and second wives, his first and second children. We see life celebrated, pondered and understood in new ways. As we read, John wrestles with himself, and looks again at doctrine, belief, loyalty, love and family. He sees himself as honestly as he can, and he uses his writings as a mirror to capture the truth and as a picture to frame that truth.As I neared the end of the book, I felt sadness to say good-bye to John, this pastor, husband, father, friend, son and grandson—gentleman. He has taught me many lessons and some came in the closing pages.
“If you want to inform yourselves as to the nature of hell, don’t hold your hand in a candle flame, just ponder the meanest, most desolate place in your soul.”
“Let’s just be honest with each other for five minutes.”
“But dishonesty is dishonesty, a humiliating thing to be caught at.”
“And what purpose is a prophet except to find meaning in trouble?"
“There are a thousand thousand reasons to live this life, every one of them sufficient.”
I loved the redemption of the hand on the boy’s brow, the honesty of imperfect relationships and broken lives lived with hope and yearned for with love. I find myself grieving for a son who will have to get to know his father through his father’s writings, and thankful that his father wrote so honestly, so well, turning phrases into word pictures to introduce his son to himself, to his family history, to the mysteries of faith and to God.
This is our last week to post our thoughts about Gilead. How would you sum up the impact of this book on you? What lessons do you take away from a life so honestly written about? Thanks for reading with me. Thanks for posting. I have enjoyed your companionship while reading this very special book.
[Editor's note: I had the privilege of meeting with Linda, in person, at the WOTH Furlough Retreat four days ago. What a heart she has for you all! We set the date for the next Book Club to start on August 16 with the book, As We Forgive. (See sidebar.)]
4 comments:
This is one of the most profoundly beautiful books I have ever read. Like Linda, I too was sad for it to end. I wanted to hear more and more from John!
There was a sadness in the ending for it meant death for John. But there was so much beauty in it too. Throughout the book, we see John wrestling with the inner struggles he has with Jack. He wonders what may happen after he is gone, and worries about his wife and child. He is wrestling in his prayers, and eventually does find rest. On page 209 he states: "I might well be leaving her to a greater happiness than I have given her...If the Lord is letting me momentarily be witness to a grace He intends for her, I should find in this a great kindness toward myself." Shortly after this, the truth comes out that Jack has a wife and a child of his own, and is trying to get back to them. I was so relieved for John. And the timing of this revelation was remarkable, for it was after John came to accept the unknown.
There are two things that I was particularly impacted by in the end. One was that both John and Boughton's prayers were answered. Earlier in the book, John had said: "I do hope to die with a quiet heart. I know that might not be realistic." He also said that he didn't know how he could ever come to forgive Jack Boughton. And yet in the end, he died at peace, and I believe with a quiet heart as he came to forgive Jack. Then, he says to Boughton: "I love him [Jack] as much as you meant me to. SO certain of your prayers are finally answered, old fellow. And mine too, mine too. We had to wait a long time, didn't we?"
I was also struck by something that his wife said about him to Jack: "He don't speak unkindly. He never does." This has impacted me throughout the book. He is so extremely careful with what he says. He struggles throughout the book with whether or not he should tell his wife all the evil that Jack has done. And yet, he doesn't, and in the end, there is no need for it. This has been particularly convicting for me. This is a man who so deeply loves the Lord, and this is so richly displayed in his ability to tame the tongue. For in doing so, he regards himself as nothing in comparison to living righteously before our God. Awesome.
This book has been so rich. I'm glad that we have some time before the next book because I am still processing Gilead, and will be doing so in the next several weeks! Thank you again, Linda. This isn't a book that I would have thought to read (I hadn't even heard of it!), but am so happy to have read it!
When I was reading Linda's post I was struck by how she brought out and noted things that I didn't think of myself. I am looking forward to reading others' thoughts. We all come from different life experiences and it is neat to hear the thoughts, perspectives and ideas of others. Hope to hear from you!
Thank you, Pam. I've really enjoyed reading your insights and those from others, too. You write beautifully. Enjoy the break--hopefully I'll see you back for "As We Forgive."
I too was sad to come to the end of the book. I want to know the rest of the story. Even so, there was peace at the end for John. I have been impacted by his honesty with himself. When he sits down and ponders his life, he is very honest in his assessment. He is also very insightful about life itself. I think he tries to prepare his son for the abrupt changes he may encounter in his life and to encourage him to hold on to faith. I love when he tells his young son - who will soon be an old man like himself to "be diligent in your prayers old man."
So, I take away from this book a challenge to look at my life honestly. To love life with all its challenges and to be diligent in my prayers. I am also challenged to ponder the meaning of doctrines and how I live them out in my life so that my life can be transformed, "healed, restored" in the everyday ordinary playing out of God's grace. I take away a challenge to not be hasty in judgement. To keep praying for God's grace to help me to see how he is working in someone's life that I might give up on otherwise. To bless instead of judge.
Thanks, Linda, for leading the discussion. It has been a very interesting book - one that I am still pondering as well. I too had not heard of it. So, I am glad you suggested it for us to read. I hope that others have enjoyed the book as well!
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