After " The Shack"

Well, we finished it today. If you plan on reading it, then please don't go any further and let the book speak for itself.

If not, this is what I got from it. No, it is not gospel. It doesn't profess to be.Yes there are things in it that will and more than likely does offend some. It didn't offend me.You see, I know my God is bigger than anything anyone can put in writing.The only real story ever written about God is the BIBLE. Everything else is just fiction produced from the musings of man's mind. It's written from a human's stand point that perhaps has dealt with the pain and confusion brought on by some of the events in life that seem so unfair.

For me, it helped me with the struggle I've had with God letting Marty die.
"You could have stopped it from happening, but you didn't. You could have healed him, but you refused." and the extreme anger I felt over that fact. I wonder if the pain from that will ever truly go away completely, but it has lessened a great deal.

I never thought of my anger as judging God.Putting Him on trial and letting that anger boil so much as to almost become a hatred.... almost. I was hurt and didn't understand why something so dreadful still happened when with a simple breath of air, my husband could have been healed. The Shack addresses a father's pain and anger over the death of his child.

God appears to this man as a woman. My take on that.... well, if a man I felt was responsible for letting my child/loved one die knowing full well He could have stopped it from happening, yet chose not to, stood in front of me and admitted it... Honey, I'd have been all over him, pelting him full force with every ounce of anger and hatred boiling up inside me, never once giving him the chance to explain. I wouldn't have stopped until one, the other or both of us were dead. So, in my opinion God came to this person in a way that would ease his pain. GOD knows what we can and cannot handle. I wouldn't care what God looked like, I'd just be honored that He chose to let me see His presence at all.

Jesus is portrayed as a gentle, loving man with a sense of humor. I like him.

The Holy Spirit was portrayed as light, movement and color. I like that much better than thinking of it as a ghost.

The book made me laugh and it also made me cry. It made me think about events and feelings in my own life.My judgemental attitude toward God.

In the end, the main character of the book was in a car accident. Everything he experienced during his time at the shack was a dream. In fact, several times through out the book that very thing is eluded to. I've had my share of crazy dreams, haven't we all. I'd like to think it's possible for God to visit us in our dreams. Hey, after all, nothing is impossible for God if He so chooses to let it be.

Thanks for visiting with me friend!

It's called "Bow Tucks Tote"

The pattern was created by Penny Sturges

I loved seeing this purse come to life! The only thing left to do is add the button for the closure.
Can't wait to make another one!

Have you read " The Shack" ?

When the book "The Shack " first came out, my Pastor's wife told me I was NOT allowed to read it under any circumstance. It would be too difficult for me. At that time in my life simply thinking the word cry and I'd be in a torrent of tears, I knew I better listen to her. When I mentioned to her that I was about to begin listening to it with a co-worker, she again advised me that it might be a little too rough emotionally for me. I have been going through some very personal/emotional situations and I was tempted to listen to her once again. Only this time, a voice said.... "Now is the time. Now, you will understand."

Hmmm, I thought, understand what? Understand the sweet , beautifully ugly chaos of my life? Can a book help me do that? What is in this book that a dear friend tried to keep me from. What emotions will it stir. Anger? Pain? Disbelief? She did mention that I needed to let my heart heal first. I needed to be at peace with the ugliness that had taken place in my own life. Was I, am I ready ? What kind of impact would I let the words of another have upon me?

My imagination is so vivid that when I read, or in this case listen to, I am transported there. I am in the shoes of the characters. I feel their emotions, the joy, the laughter,the pain. Was I really ready to let myself experience "The Shack" ?

Well, the little voice is saying.... "Yes, you are."

I'll let you know how it goes!
~Lisa