A book review: "40 Weeks"

Recently I had a chance to read an astounding new novel. "40 Weeks" was written by Paige Beselt, who happens to be a friend of mine. But I'm not writing this review simply because of that fact; I really want to tell you about this book.

"40 Weeks" tells the story of Anna, a young wife who has recently lost her first baby in a miscarriage. As she copes with this loss, she turns to her journal. Through this process, her thoughts disentangle themselves onto the page, and the heart of this childless mother is revealed.

Written out of her own experiences of loss (this author has seven children in her home, and two in heaven), the words ring with honesty. I found myself relating to so much in this slim volume.

Woven throughout this story is a theme: life has value. We see how fragile and fleeting it can be, yet how unspeakably precious. This book also challenges the reader to consider other aspects of this issue - age, health, mental ability. What is important? Who is valuable? Written in a wry, loving tone, this is an honest look at a subject that is vitally important - one which needs to be examined again and again.

"40 Weeks" explores life in its fullness, though Anna's tiny, precious baby is gone too soon. It teaches the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:27 ; that God can and does use those who are tiny, or weak, those with no voice of their own. He does this through his work in our hearts, and through writers like Paige Beselt, who passionately and tirelessly speaks on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

This story moved me to tears - and laughter - over and over again. It is a beautiful and heartrending look at the things that really matter.

If you'd like to order yourself a copy of this important book, click HERE. Or check it out through Amazon. It's very affordable, and I feel confident in saying that you won't regret it.

my life, in books

Does anyone else tend to narrate their day in their head with Facebook-type statuses? No? Just me? Ah, well. Good to know.

Jeff has taken the two older boys up on the mountain today; our church took a bus up there for a Snow Day. It's been a much-anticipated outing in our house, especially in that Benjamin missed his first chance at attending last year's Snow Day. He was sick that weekend, the poor soul. At any rate, those kids love to play in the snow, and have been itching to get up on the mountain for over a year now. We haven't been able to go as a family, but I'm so glad that they could go tramp around in the white stuff today.

As for me, I'm here at home with Owen, who is miserable with a cold. Because of this, I haven't gotten as much accomplished today as I'd hoped, but during his afternoon nap did some more packing.

Much to my husband's dismay, what I've packed mostly so far is books. We have books in nearly every room in our house, including the dining room, where we've made good use of the built-in shelves next to the fireplace. (We shall have to find another home for those in the new house...) We have books from nearly every part of our lives, although I did get rid of my Sweet Valley High collection a few years ago. But this week I've been interested to note the variety of authors whose works I've been packing away.

We've got Max Lucado, Brennan Manning, Charles Swindoll, Billy Graham, George MacDonald. There's L.M. Montgomery (author of the famous Anne of Green Gables, as well as a host of other charming tales), Louisa May Alcott, & Victor Hugo. And Jennifer Weiner, Belva Plain, and Maeve Binchy. There are books containing writings by and about the late great Rich Mullins (so dear to me). And we mustn't forget Jan Karon, Beverly Lewis, Michael Phillips, Bodie Thoene, and Francine Rivers.

Well, I actually don't own any books by Francine Rivers. But I adore her stories, and I hope to begin collecting them someday.

There are dusty, be-doodled, beloved diaries, books on dating & marriage, childbirth & parenting, Bible study books, books of quotations, devotionals, and quite a range of Bible translations. And Jeff has his own eclectic collection: Dilbert, Calvin & Hobbes, Foxtrot, books on Chess, glassware, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, J.R.R. Tolkien, and many more.

Each volume represents something to me. Past, Present, and the Future as well. Within each cover is perspective, counsel, and even sometimes wisdom. I love my books. But (almost) even more, I love what they mean to me. The memories behind them. Each one is an old friend, an influence on who I am and what is valuable to me.

So I guess they're worth the heavy lifting when it comes to moving time. I wouldn't want to leave any dear old chums behind.

being known

I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia lately, by C.S. Lewis. Oh yes, I'd read them as a child, and then again as a young adult. But it seems as though every time I read that series, I walk away with more meaning.

Things like sacrifice, sin, trust, faith. I suppose I must have caught some of this when I read it before. Certainly I understood that Aslan represented Christ, and his sacrifice paid for Edmund's sins. But the older I get, the longer I walk with God, the more detail I'm picking up on. These books are rich.

At present I'm finishing up "The Magician's Nephew." A little explanation of context is in order, I think. This book is the telling of the origin of Narnia: how it was created by Aslan, and how he gave the gift of speech to the animals there. The novel is told in the third person, but from the perspective of a two children named Digory and Polly. Before arriving in Narnia, these two found themselves in another world, a world which was dying, and while they were there Digory awakened a witch from a certain enchantment. The Witch, an evil creature, traveled back to London with them, and ultimately, to Narnia.

The thing that really struck me yesterday was a conversation between the boy, Digory, and the Lion, Aslan. The boy is explaining how the Witch came to be in Narnia. Aslan questions Digory... but Aslan knows. And as the boy tries to explain things, it becomes more and more clear that Aslan sees through his excuses, and his blaming of others, and the spin he tries to put on it. It is Digory's fault, and as he admits the truth, he is ashamed. The Lion already understood the situation completely: what happened as well as each individual's heart.

And it's so true. We are known, fully and completely. Beyond our rationalizations. Beyond our excuses. Beyond the blame we cast-- on others or on ourselves. God knows our motives, understands our history, and sees us, utterly. He sees our delusions, our pride, and the many emotions which can cast us adrift, tossed without an anchor.

³ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart.

Proverbs 17:3

We can try to explain our actions. We can be fully convinced that we know why we do what we do. We can be certain that we are in the right.

But the Lord knows the heart.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

May my words, actions, and thoughts truly please the One who knows me completely, both inside and out. He understands me better than I understand myself.