A blog to record the 52 books I will read in 52 weeks
Monday, February 21, 2011
#12: The Shack by William Young
This book has been on my shelf for years, as my mother-in-law passed it on claiming that I had to read it but wanred me that parts were a bit controversial. I am finally ready to read this book. Off I go!
I am now about 90 pages into this book and have approached it cautiously, as many friends have warned me to read this book with an open mind. Well, as I met "Papa" and Jesus and Sarayu I instantly thought of Dorothy being escorted to Oz by the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Irreverant, perhaps, but that was my thought. Maybe I just have the Wizard of Oz on the brain because of Abigail's play. I am curious to see how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit evolve as the story progresses. Another thought I had almost instantly was actually a memory from my childhood when my mother jokingly told me that God had to be a woman because only a woman could be in control of so much and could handle it all so effectively. I wonder if Mom ever imagined God to be an African American woman? This book certainly is interesting...
I finished The Shack about 15 minutes ago and have to admit that I did like it. I question somethings mentioned in the book, but in the spirit in which Mack's story is told, who am I to judge whether or not this story is true? Perspective is truth and if he believes it happened, well, then, it did. I will say that after I finished the book, I re-read the foreward (which I skimmed initially as I have found that reading the foreward of some books gives me ideas and thoughts that I wish I had not thought before reading) and in doing this, I felt at peace with the story, with Mack, and with all that had been rumbling around in my mind and heart while I read this often challenging book. So, for those readers out there like me, who might struggle with this book at first, read it and don't give up on it. It is worth your time and worth the conversations you will have with people about it. But, before you close the book for good, re-read the foreward. It will bring the events of the story back around, full circle, and it will all come together, as the story was meant to.
Now, did this book change my life as it has for some? I don't know. I do know that I don't believe that God is an African American woman, but is he with us all the time, even when we don't want him there, or at least didn't invite him? Perhaps. Will I be very slow to judge others from this point on--absolutely. This is not my job. Do I finally have an answer to the question I have been asking my entire life--why did God take my father? Maybe. Mack's experience gave me something to think about, for sure. I hope that you give it a chance and will read it as well. But only when you are ready.
I am now about 90 pages into this book and have approached it cautiously, as many friends have warned me to read this book with an open mind. Well, as I met "Papa" and Jesus and Sarayu I instantly thought of Dorothy being escorted to Oz by the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Irreverant, perhaps, but that was my thought. Maybe I just have the Wizard of Oz on the brain because of Abigail's play. I am curious to see how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit evolve as the story progresses. Another thought I had almost instantly was actually a memory from my childhood when my mother jokingly told me that God had to be a woman because only a woman could be in control of so much and could handle it all so effectively. I wonder if Mom ever imagined God to be an African American woman? This book certainly is interesting...
ReplyDeleteI finished The Shack about 15 minutes ago and have to admit that I did like it. I question somethings mentioned in the book, but in the spirit in which Mack's story is told, who am I to judge whether or not this story is true? Perspective is truth and if he believes it happened, well, then, it did. I will say that after I finished the book, I re-read the foreward (which I skimmed initially as I have found that reading the foreward of some books gives me ideas and thoughts that I wish I had not thought before reading) and in doing this, I felt at peace with the story, with Mack, and with all that had been rumbling around in my mind and heart while I read this often challenging book. So, for those readers out there like me, who might struggle with this book at first, read it and don't give up on it. It is worth your time and worth the conversations you will have with people about it. But, before you close the book for good, re-read the foreward. It will bring the events of the story back around, full circle, and it will all come together, as the story was meant to.
ReplyDeleteNow, did this book change my life as it has for some? I don't know. I do know that I don't believe that God is an African American woman, but is he with us all the time, even when we don't want him there, or at least didn't invite him? Perhaps. Will I be very slow to judge others from this point on--absolutely. This is not my job. Do I finally have an answer to the question I have been asking my entire life--why did God take my father? Maybe. Mack's experience gave me something to think about, for sure. I hope that you give it a chance and will read it as well. But only when you are ready.