In this story, Laney is in love with Galen. But Galen only sees her as his best friend's tag-a-long sister. For years, Laney claims the scripture, Delight yourself in the Lord and He'll give you the desires of your heart. Trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass. However, when some squatters come to live on Galen's land, one thing leads to another until all of Laney's hopes are shattered when Galen comes face to face with a shotgun. When things look utterly hopeless for Laney, God takes what the devil meant for evil and brings it to His glory. Just like the story of Joseph in the Bible. What Joseph's brothers meant for his destruction, God turned it around for good by saving a whole nation from severe famine. Laney's heart's desire appears doomed too, until God turns it around for good. Not just for Laney, but for all of those involved. Including the undeserving squatters living on Galen's land.
You have to read the story to find out what I'm talking about. *smiling*
Well, this review is definitely not going to be a normal review, because I'm about to get personal. Before reading BITTERSWEET, I, Debra, was bathed in hopeless. Everything in my life felt as though hell itself had moved into my heart, body, soul, and mind. And that's putting it mildly. Depression, hopelessness, fear, despair and many other unmentionable emotions had become my constant, familiar companions. Then I read BITTERSWEET.
What ministered to me the most in this life-changing story was when I read where Laney had to give up her dreams and hopes and trust that God had something far beyond what she could ever want, it showed me something big time. I saw that I was holding onto my dreams so tightly that I was consumed by them. The more I saw my dreams fading, becoming but a mere shadow of hope, the more desperate, depressed, and hopeless I'd become. Like Laney, it was only after I released my hopes and dreams to God, and truly chose to believe and trust that He has something better for me, that I experienced true freedom. My burden's been lifted. And hope has replaced the darkness that had overshadowed and consumed my life. When we truly let go and allow God to take charge of our lives, then, and only then, is God free to work on our behalf.
BITTERSWEET by CATHY MARIE HAKE, is a story about hope, love, redemption, trust, and true Christian charity. But mostly, it's about letting go and letting God no matter how hopeless things look. And that God is a God of second chances... of third chances... of fourth, fifth and so on.
Therefore, I suggest that anyone who is struggling with any of these issues buy this book. And even if you aren't struggling, and you're just looking for a great story with class, style, adventure, and fantastic characters, then BITTERSWEET is for you.
I highly recommend it!
Thank you, Cathy. I love you dearly.
Until next time...
See ya~~~
4 comments:
What a beautiful testimony to how fiction can change lives and help - even the choir. :D
I, too, love Cathy's work. She has such a neat way of getting to the heart of the matter. She leaves me laughing and crying, but always wanting more. Thanks for sharing that with us Debra.
Tracie Peterson
www.traciepeterson.com
Great review, Deb. Sounds like a book I need to get cracking on and read. :)
I haven't read the book, but I can attest that when you give up YOUR dreams, the dreams God gives you are much more yours than even the dreams you thought you had. I always thought I wanted to be a published author and sell a gazillion books. It wasn't until I realized what smoke that really was and I let go of that, that God began to show me what I really wanted. It was freedom I never knew existed!
Can't wait to read it, Deb. I read LETTER PERFECT straight through on a flight from Wash DC to LAX. It left me wanting more . . . Time for a trip to the bookstore!
Post a Comment