The seemingly simple stories of this book contain deep lessons for us. I can be coasting along, enjoying the pretty scenery Penelope Wilcock is creating, when all of a sudden a phrase, paragraph, page captures more than my imagination and I have to pause to ponder.
There were three quotes from this week’s reading that impacted me. I’ll share one here, hoping you’ll share a quote in your comments this week.
"I think there were two reasons for that. One was simply that a man with broken hands can’t protect himself, or manage tools and things as well as we can. But also, it was because he wanted so much to be like Jesus, he wasn’t afraid to put himself in the place where he was vulnerable to hurt." (Page 139)
In my years of serving overseas, I was often vulnerable to hurt through disappointment, hard life situations. My heart wasn’t courageous. I couldn’t have said I wasn’t afraid to put myself in a place where I was vulnerable to hurt. I was often afraid. Being willing to live a vulnerable lifestyle is an on-going lesson for me. When I’m looking in God’s eyes, I can say I want this. It is when I focus on myself that my desire to be fully surrendered wavers.
This book has given me a wake-up call and reset my focus. What lessons are you learning? I can’t wait to read your comments.
4 comments:
melissa's thought for her English teacher captured my attention. I know now what that poor straved women cannot have known,not only my essay but thewhole of life is a love story, about a tender and passionate God. the maturity of melissa and her faith shows her relationship with the God.She was taking her faith and applying to her life. I have no doubt that her Mothers stories helped as well. She knew she was a very good writer, she didn't whine or take it to a higher authority to get a better grade.I think if it wwere me at that age I would have probably whined. The result was Melissa could only feel sorrow for her teacher.
Father P is truely a man of faith and has authority to give the consequences. He does give the consequences sometimes harsh sometimes gentle. When the offenders ask for forgiveness from him and God, they see that they have been forgiven and loved. I think of how the God loves us and forgives us and will never leave us nor forsake us.His consequence for Brother Cormac and Andrew included himself at expense of his hands hurting. I think the impact of what he did is how much he wanted the two to reconcile and share love. I can't help but think how much it hurt him to give out the consquences. What love he shows.
This week was interesting for me, some stress and change happening. The best part is that when I could have lost control I would think of Father P and the love he shared at the abbey! The part of being gentle in all circumstances was a reminder for me when I got frustrated. I call this book a God sighting and what I mean is I can see reading this book at this time was truely a gift from GOD!
I just got my book this week and have been working to catch up. Now I am caught up and couldn't put the book down so I finished the second book. These stories really capture the imagination and get me thinking about how I live my life and if I am showing love the way I should be.
I especially appreciated when Melissa's mother tells her that the thing that life is fullest of is the thing we find hardest to believe in - new beginnings. She goes on to say "Only God can give life, it is true - make a new baby or a new year - but he gives us the power to give each other a new beginning to forgive each other and make a fresh start when things go wrong."
It is something that we know is available but I don't always give it to myself. So, it was a good reminder to me that even when I mess up, that a new beginning is just around the corner if I am willing to see it. Sometimes we just need a little help to see that we need to forgive ourselves or someone else and start over again.
HI, Lynn! I'm glad you are reading this book with us. I'm sorry it got to you late, but good for you for catching up.
I would love to see this book made into a movie...at least I think I would. It is so good--and each time I read it I'm hit by new lessons. The ones you and Donna point out about Melissa are part of what we see. Isn't it interesting that Melissa seems wiser than her teacher...how sad and yet how common. This is a big wake up call for me to not become to stuck in the routine of teaching that I miss the current, real life lessons that change with students, circumstances and today's events.
Donna--it is so exciting for me to know that the Holy Spirit is using truth from this book to help you in your daily life. That is fantastic! Yea, God!
And--here's to new beginnings. I need those everyday!
I know my comments are late. Sorry. My week got away from me. Thank you for sharing a little of your struggles in your post, Linda. I find the question of being vulnerable to hurt to be a fascinating conundrum, and a very difficult question to answer--once you've been hurt. Before, I would have given a resounding "Yes! Of course we must live vulnerable lives!" I would have answered in theory. My theory was right, but my experience was slim. I think, now, I would answer slowly that I know that vulnerability draws others to us, but it's scary and risky, and, well, vulnerable. I've witnessed other missionaries who have been willing to be hurt and betrayed again and again. It frightens me, because I know that they are a good example. I've seen the fruit.
I am not a guarded person by nature, but the depth of the hurt I experienced during my first tenure in my country caught me off guard. I found myself having to ask myself the very real question before we came back--"Am I willing to open myself to that again? Because if not, I will not be effective." To be perfectly honest, I know the right answer, but I still struggle with it. Thank you for sharing that, even after your years of experience, it is still a struggle for you too. Perhaps what makes this book so singularly attractive is the fact that all of the characters are very real--their faults and struggles and questions are never over.
The only quote I marked as I was reading is not the most meaningful I've read, but perhaps the one that took me the most by surprise.
"I tried to picture him (Melissa's pastor) kneeling in front of Daddy, saying, 'I humbly confess that I have bored you with tedious sermons, and made God seem very small and far away like looking through the wrong end of the binoculars.' I tried to imagine him kneeling before Stan Birkett, the dustman-a small, weary, disillusioned man-saying, 'I humbly confess that you wanted me to be your friend, but I would only be your vicar...' No, it didn't fit. And yet, he didn't mind kneeling down to God. Unless...perhaps he wasn't sure God was there at all?"
This quote struck me because of the way the author took the discipline the monks practiced out of their context and plopped it into ours, after a very moving story about the seriousness of humbly seeking forgiveness. It really caught my attention. Boy oh boy is seeking my husband's forgiveness hard, and rarely do I do it with the humility I should. Have I ever made God seem small to anyone? Ouch! And mostly, do I behave as though I KNOW that God is really there? Do I have the proper awe and respect? Very sobering questions! The difference in the way faith is understood and lived out between Father Bennett and Father Peregrine is really amazing! I know who I'd rather be like, but Father Bennett is safe, and Father Peregrine is so painfully vulnerable!
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