We aren’t going to dilly-dally our way through this wonderful book. In just five weeks, we’ll be turning the last page and reluctantly saying good-bye to new friends. For some of you, though, our schedule of reading may be too slow—you won’t want to put this great book down. I truly hope you will enjoy this book, even if at times your theology differs from the monks, the mother who introduces them to us, and Melissa, who is discovering life and God as a fifteen year-old. I think this is my third time to read this trilogy. Each time, I’m fascinated by the lives lived so differently than mine and the lessons God teaches and redeems through the realities of life in a large poor family and life in a monastery. I hope you will enjoy reading their stories and learning more about our God who we see in them.
May I ask a huge favor? This is a book club blog, which implies we are each members. As members, we need to share our reflections and responses, observations and thoughts to what we read in order for our club to be the best it can be. So, please read with us and comment--OK? I look forward to hearing from you. Each week’s introduction will be posted on Monday. It would be great if you could post your comments before the following Monday. Thank you!
This week’s reading will introduce you to most of our book’s characters and set the stage for the great stories we will read. Not only that, I think you’ll find yourselves wanting to befriend Melissa and her family so you could have tea in their home or desiring to make a pilgrimage to the Monks’ monastery to stay in their guest house and view their world.
For your comments this week, please write about the people you meet in these first six chapters. Who captures your attention? Why? What do you begin to see in their lives that fits lessons you are learning or have learned in the past? I look forward to reading your comments!
6 comments:
I am really enjoying this book! I appreciate that each chapter is it's own little vignette--I tend to be the type that will stay up until 3am to finish it. Each almost stand-alone chapter helps me to take my time for the book club!
While I have enjoyed many of the characters so far, I think I am most fascinated by Peregrine (of course) and Melissa's mother. As I've thought about it this week, I've come to the conclusion that I think they both fascinate me because of the stage of life I'm in. As a mom of a preschooler and an infant, Melissa's mom intrigues me because of her attitude. Despite having a rather difficult small child in addition to her other 4, she has a good attitude, is consciously teaching her children eternal truths, and takes time with her oldest daughter during her crucial teenage years.
Father Peregrine (is this pronounced PEAR-ah-green?)is a very interesting person. I don't think I've been able to put my finger on what exactly attracts me to him yet. Grace through suffering is always something that makes us curious, wanting to see more. I think the fact that he never quite seems to resign himself to his handicap--that his grace is hard-fought for on a daily basis--makes him seem more human, more real. The passages that have really struck me are those when he's in the chapel, looking up at Jesus' broken body, and drawing the parallels to himself. I don't like to think about Jesus' suffering, but I have a hunch that if I did it more often it would be good for my attitude.
I've found myself really drawn to the order built into the monks' days. Especially the chapel time in the evening. As a young mom, I haven't yet figured out how to have regular times for reading and prayer (suggestions anyone?) and the built in quiet time for reflection, prayer, and worship calls to my soul. Boy am I glad Father Matthew isn't here to glare at me though! I am quite sure I wouldn't live up to his expectations!
As much as I admire the monks, I still can't get to a place of understanding how they chose that life. Lifelong service to the Lord I get--I'm sure we all do, we're missionaries, after all. But seclusion? Never having a family? So many rules and regulations? As someone who's logged more airline miles than I'd like to try to count, staying inside a square mile my entire adult life is awfully hard to wrap my mind around!
Great book choice Linda! I am very curious to know how Melissa applies all that she's learning.
Dear Rebecca,
I am so glad you like this book choice--it really is rich, isn't it. The observations you've made about the characters ring true for me too. Unfortunately, I am my own Brother Matthew...and yet I am like you and wish to put more disciplined time of drawing near to God in my life.
You asked for suggestions about quiet time. I think we have to be real about the phases of our lives while we continue to seek creative, God-given solutions. When I was a young mom, having worshipful music playing throughout my day really helped my focus. I was also listening to the static of the HF radio while having the stereo blasting away. I was responsible to flight follow my husband and the other MAF pilots on our base for about 5 hours a day. So, I would have static and radio calls, music playing and children laughing, crying, napping, while people came and went from my door. Pretty much a circus. My husband would come home at night and the same music he'd heard as he left in the morning would still be playing. He'd look at me and I'd shrug, saying I'd never had time to change it, but all day long Amy Grant had reminded me I wanted My Father's Eyes.
I look forward to reading with you, Rebecca! Welcome!
Another Rebecca chiming in!
I LOVE this book so far. The storytelling is so well done and I find I am drawn in immediately. This is the kind of book that feels deep and meaningful - not the typical "fluff" that passes as Christian Fiction these days. And it's really an interesting read, even though it's not about anything that adventurous at all - just life and stories of people doing their best to be like Christ.
I've always been fascinated by the monastic lifestyle and I tell ya - with a two year old that is a real-life mirror image of the two year old in the book, I sometimes LONG for the quiet, peaceful life of solitude and simplicity! The other night I was wondering if I could impose an evening vow of silence in our house ;-)
Father Peregrine is one of the most fascinating characters to me. One of my favorite things about him is that he's human like the rest of us, but he's actively growing. He's allowing God to shape him and mold him into Christ's likeness. And sometimes, that Christ-likeness comes at a very high price doesn't it? Do you think we'd like Father Peregrine as much if he hadn't been beaten and lost the use of his leg and hands? That experience changed him so much - probably for the better but what a high price to pay.
I can most relate to Melissa and her mother, though. Like Melissa I adore a good story and it can carry me away to distraction so easily. And I'm often caught "wandering in the garden" when I should be focusing on something else! I don't know how many times I'v had to tell myself to "shut that garden door" just this morning!
As a Mom to three little girls, I can relate to Melissa's mother too...especially the part where she can't wait to send her youngest off with Grandma so she can have a moment of peace ;-)
I agree with Rebecca - this is a great book choice! Thanks, Linda!
Hi, "another Rebecca!" I'm so glad you are chiming in. Thank you and welcome. As I read your comment, your awareness of the temptation to walk in the garden struck me. I so identify with that--especially since I work from home for hours all by myself. I have to stay so disciplined in my work--and there are so many temptations to wander! I'm proud of you for recognizing this and "shutting the door!" Good for you! Is there a secret in how you do this?
I started this book and thought to myself I hope this book gets better. Now I find myself ponderingwhat the next story will bring.
Melissa (from the family) has captured my eye. She daydreams in school and can not focuse. However the stories are so important to her that she will buckle down and endure school for another story :) I can relate as I was daydreaming at school her age as well. Now I call it pondering.
Her other characteristic is to tell it like it is. It happens sometimes in her mind but also out loud. The one with calling poetry silly. She then says to teacher" Does that mean I can write poetry like this it doesn't matter if I keep my promises? I tend to think it was with tone and attitude(sarcastic) The other when she tells Thersa that she shouldn't be talking to her friend not the other way around. This is an ongoing correction for me. My words came out without tact and sarcasism. God continues to work with me on this. I can honestly say I am a whole lot better at this...sarcasism still peaks out. I look at it as I am a work in progress for the Lord.
I am partial to Brother Edward because of our similar traits, caretaking,compassionate and a good friend. I love how compassionate he was with Father Peregrine despite Father"s past.
Father P being arrogant and crisp without feeling. Brother E's friendship that included watching out for his nephew during hard times. Because knowing his pat he was able to support him emotionally with Father's handicap.
Clare dear Clare. I kept pondering over gthe decision of hers to not tell Father P about his child. It doesn't say if she prayed. I would like to think she did and was guided to this answer by the Spirit. She knew if she told him he would marry her. The choice was a high cost to her, assuming she wanted to marry him. I like that right from the start she told Melissa who her father was. Would I have made that same choice?I think of agape love,rferencing the Fathers love for us. He sent His son to the cross to die for salvation for all who would choose. What an awesome God we serve!
I am looking forward to more stories and glean some from the characters lives and how I see God. I love love love this book. great choice Linda.
Hi Donna! I hope you won't have to be anonymous next time you write your comment. I can see that you would identify with Brother Edward with your care-giving skills and compassionate heart. And, your observations about Claire's decision highlights how hard that must have been for Claire. Not sharing something so life changing would be so hard to do. I don't think I could have made that choice.
I'm glad you are reading with us! Welcome!
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