Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Recommended by my daughter, I read this a few months ago.  The story of 3 different women during the World War II years.  Settings switched from New York to Paris, from Warsaw to Ravensbruck, from Ravensbruck to New England.  The 3 stories intertwine:  one a philanthropist (based on a true character), one a doctor and one an inmate.  More details about the treatment in the concentration camps, more incredulity on my part as to how the brain can excuse and overlook the behaviors that are imposed in desperate times like these -- and always the question that plagues me, "How would I respond?"

Watching out my window on a Winter's Day

It's January.  Some snow, some thaw, some sun, but mostly grey....almost as grey as February.  But, I continue to tell myself that my feelings should not be dictated by the fickle weather.  Sometimes it works...other days, I settle in to enjoy the "cloud" that surrounds me.  I review, I analyze, I pray, I cry, I think, I read, I journal.  You see, many people consider me an extrovert because I can be outgoing and personable...but the truth is, the real me is an introvert.  My batteries get charged when I sit by myself in the quiet...where God says "be still".

In the stillness comes peace
In the stillness comes clarity
In the stillness comes forgiveness
In the stillness comes grace
In the stillness comes a warm embrace from the Savior....my Joy-giver, no matter what January looks like.

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

A pretty intense story of survival in the midst of almost certain death, and also a release of the past.  Ben, a doctor, and Ashley, a writer, are thrown together in the middle of a terrible blizzard while trying to get home from Salt Lake City.  This book is their story of defeating the odds after their small plane crashes into the wilderness at 11,000 feet in sub-zero temperatures.  That part is pretty amazing, but the story that resonated with me, was Ben's love story ---as he diligently spoke to his wife via a small recorder that he had brought with him.  He reminds Rachel of how they met and of what he has loved about her and their life, the ups and downs.  It seemed to me that his recording of those memories are what helped Ben to focus and remain hopeful over the weeks of pain and impossibilities.  The relationship of trust that developed between Ben and Ashley, and the twist ending ...make a really good read.  I checked out Charles Martin's blog and may put some of his other books on my list.....he says that his favorite author is King David.  Gotta love a guy like that!

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Love this type of novel--based on a true historical event, with fictional characters playing out the story line.  The true part was the terrible child "stealing" by Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children's Home Society in the 1930's and 40's.  Literally this woman entered hospitals and had parents sign off their children, unbeknownst to them.  Sometimes babies were born and parents were told they died, so Georgia Tann could sell the babies to rich families while making piles of money.  So many political figures, as well as doctors and police officers, actually covered up the facts, while getting paid by her.  Some supported her ideas--that these low class families could not afford their kids, and the kids would be better off raised in higher class society.  She convinced so many people, that she never was convicted of her crimes--her case was closed!

The story is told by "Rill" starting in 1939, with the "stealing" of herself and her four siblings.  Present day Avery is the "sleuth" trying to find the secrets in her grandmother's past.  Of course, Avery is changed along the way as "truth" wins out and she discovers that her traditional, political family (who are obsessed with appearances, photo ops and no surprises) are not what she would like to become.

Avery spends a lot of time with Rill, now in her nineties, to piece together the past.  Because my parents are now 94, some of the conversations really hit home.  I loved this by Rill:  "Each scene of Life has its own music and music is created for the scene....we must dance within the music of today or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn't suit the moment....To look at me now, you would think I'd never understood that secret  This music of old age..it isn't made for dancing.  It's so...lonely.  You're a burden to everyone."  This from Avery:  "I think of my grandmother, of her empty house, of her room in the nursing home, of her inability to recognize me most days.  Tears well up in my eyes.  The music of old age is difficult to hear when it's playing for someone you love."  How very true, in the midst of loving my parents in this life scene, the music of old age brings a bittersweet sadness.

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr

I wish I were more of an academic at times.  Perhaps I would have a better understanding of all that this author was conveying...but I did catch some wonderful glimpses!  In his seventies, Richard Rohr, writes of the differences between our First Half of Life and our Second Half of Life.  We are driven and goal oriented in our first half, working hard and believing that structure and authority are of great value to advance ourselves in the world.  This author speaks from the other side, from the Second Half of Life.  This is the side where we leave behind that intense desire to achieve, and to be approved by others.  We finally realize who God has made us to be, and we "settle in" and enjoy the journey more.  What I so fervently believed in my past Baptistic tradition, has now melded into an acceptance of the differences in theology and practices of other denominations.  What I passionately pursued in my First Half of Life political views (what seemed so black and white), has now blended--each party seems to have some of what I believe sometimes---and none of what I believe at other times.  Amazingly, God has given peace in all the changes and transitions.  I am on a learning trajectory that allows me to "no longer need to divide the field of every moment between up and down, totally right or totally wrong, with me or against me" thinking.  God has given a calmness in appreciating differences, histories, the stories of others...I do not always need to be in groups that are the same as me, or think the way I do.  Yes, that's generally more comfortable-- but in leaning into Jesus more (Falling Upward), He gives the ability in the Second Half of Life, to accept people and situations, to give grace, to love more broadly, to surrender my "right" to be right.  Perhaps this new way of thinking is ...maturity?  or wisdom?  Whatever it is, I am ok with it.

Good Night. I Love You by Jene Ray Barranco

This was a book written over a span of five years, the grieving process that the author walked through after the unexpected death of her husband.  Heart-wrenching, raw, triumphant.  She shares the lowest lows of the "Midnight Hour", but continues to take the next steps to healing and wholeness.

Although very difficult to read at times, I found myself cheering her on in the last few chapters where she again had hope to actually look forward to the future (Psalm 42:11:  Hope in God for once again I will praise Him).  So much of the pain and numbness were familiar to me from my "Midnight Hour", grieving the loss of my sisters after their deaths.  I remember the heaviness on my chest, the deadness in my eyes, and the absence of hearing God's voice over that two year period as I tried to "climb back to the surface".  It obviously wasn't near what Barranco faced in losing a spouse and having to be the sole parent to 3 teenagers, but I certainly identified with the process.

This would be a great resource to give to those grieving, as it totally turns hearts to God, but also affirms that the roller coaster emotions and things that have to be faced--are all very normal.

Musings on a Beautiful Autumn Day

I found myself sitting on a bench at Lake Macatawa awaiting the sunrise a few weekends ago.  Bill and I had traveled to Holland State Park to join friends in an "end of the camping season" gathering. 
Having enjoyed biking, hiking and hanging out on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday...I was determined to catch a sunrise the next morning.

Several others sat in the vicinity, but surprisingly a couple vacated the beach bench in front of me --so, I grabbed it!  Quiet, dimly lit, the hush of expectancy as the colors unfolded before us in the eastern sky.  What appeared to be an Egret or Heron, swooped over the water, landing to my left in a wooded area in shallow water.  She positioned herself facing the east.  At about the same time, a duck  landed in front of me, just settling in the water -- seemingly to also face the unfolding of the morning!

I was struck with the words of Jesus, "If these people keep silent,  the rocks / stones will cry out (Luke 19:40).  But what was happening in front of me was not just the stones responding to the Creator's handiwork --but very Creation (the birds of the field) was relishing the rising of the Sun, which the Creator had provided for His Created to enjoy.  How touched was I to be among His creation enjoying that moment.  How often am I not mindful of all the beauty that has been given to us to enjoy?  Am I keeping silent, or am I crying out in praise to the Maker?

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

I have to be in the right frame of mind to read Picoult because she throws curves that disturb me.  This one kept my interest due to its subject matter of "hearing God".

Mariah, the mom, is swirling in an emotional battle due to her husband's infidelity when her 7 year old daughter begins quoting Bible verses and explaining to her mom what "God" said to her.  Faith had rarely been in synagogue (her Jewish heritage), let alone in a Christian church; so this is puzzling to her mom and grandmom.  As the story unfolds, other strange phenomenon occurs:  healings by Faith, bleeding hands, Hebrew words spoken.  When the media become aware of this, the circus begins....destination: Mariah's country home where hundreds of news agencies gather to follow the story, as well as hundreds of sick and infirm settle, to beg for healing.

This was a fast moving story that captures all of the craziness of our world:  the naysayers, the believers, the cynics and the merely curious.  It begs for the answers to "Who is God in our world?" and "How does He work?".  I loved that the clergy, priests and rabbis were all portrayed on many different parts of the spectrum, as far as their beliefs about how God could possibly work in a little girl.  Of course, in true Picoult fashion, she throws her curve at the end, but it was a good read despite that....and caused me to affirm my position that God is bigger than all of our ideas and explanations, and He can do amazing things in any way that He chooses.

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Absolutely loved this book.  Challenging and inspirational, this pastor tells the story of how God started and grew National Community Church in Washington DC ~~ through "prayer circles".  We can call it by lots of names, but his visual of walking the blocks of Capitol Hill, praying for God to open doors for a building (s) will stay with me.

Historically, the actual Circle Maker was Honi, a Jewish man who lived outside the city walls of Jerusalem in the generation before Jesus.  He outrageously and boldly called on God to provide rain to the drought ridden area which had seen no rain for a year.  Honi drew a circle in the dirt around himself, and said "Lord of the universe, I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children"  (from the writings of Josephus, the historian).  Much like Elijah, Honi waited for the rain....and eventually the sprinkles became a downpour, which changed history for those people.  So Batterson begins this book.

Encouraged to lay out my "prayer circles" in this season, I have begun to visually pray for people and situations, drawing a circle with my hand to capture the spirit of this challenge.  I have physically circled my neighborhood and prayed, asking God to turn hearts toward Him.  This concept resonates with me, because it causes me to Pray Big, to Pray Hard and to Think Long.

At times I have wondered how God would call to my heart at 16, when there had not been much spiritual input in my formative years -- yet this book affirmed the conclusion that I had drawn, someone in my family in previous generations had prayed long and hard for fruit in the generations to come.  And that's my charge--to continually pray for my kids, my grandkids and great-grandkids; that God would raise them up to follow Him, that they would make a difference in this crazy, confused world  (Isaiah 59:21).

American Born Chinese by Gene Luch Yang

Very interesting!  Recommended to our Book Club by the Director of the Library, as a new genre....a graphic novel.  This was a new term to me!  But, it was a fun way to see how educators are encouraging young readers to get "into" books.  For those who may struggle with reading disabilities, this type of "comic"story is quicker, less wordy --but still gets across some great truths.

Intended for a middle school audience, I walked away with a great respect for this author's creativity and imagination.  He speaks to the hearts of insecure young people, addresses bullying and racial intolerance,  expresses the desires of kids who want to belong,  explores friendship...and then, brings it all back to accepting who you are meant to be.  You definitely have to pay close attention, then re-browse the pictures, to get all of the wisdom of what the author is relaying.  Exceeded my expectations.