A New Year!
There are always a couple of times a year that you reflect on what has happened in your life as well as anticipation to what lies ahead. January is one of those times we really think about what has already happened in our life as well as what the future holds for us.I have done a lot of reflecting this year as it has been almost a year since my Dad got sick with cancer and ended up going to his real home with his heavenly Father. This book helped me a lot in giving my reflections hope.
Atlas Girl by Emily T. Wierenga
This is a new book that has just been entered into the library. It is memoir about Emily and her deeply personal story of the yearning we all share to be truly known, entirely forgiven, and utterly loved.
I really connected with the author. I don't know if it was because so much of her experiences in her life were similar to my own or because she was so honest in her memoir. Or if it was the similarities in how I felt about things throughout my life. The way she writes provides words and pictures for reflection.
Emily talks about starting to paint with watercolours and she talks about how she "mixes the pigment with the liquid and it's messy and the lines are blurred, but when it dries, it's soft and beautiful. That's life and faith, too. Messy, blurred and beautiful."
It reminded so much of the last few weeks I had with my Dad. It was messy, the lines were blurred but it was wonderful too.
It reminded me of the love of my husband, the love of family and the love of God that sometimes comes through family.
It reminded of me of my life story, my anger, my hurts and my messy life and how God can still show His love to me through others and His light can shine through me even with all the messiness.
"It's not about dying and someday going to heaven, it's about inviting heaven into our everyday existence. Forgiving. Redeeming what is lost. Trusting. Letting go. Loving now."
If you want to know more about Emily Weirenga, she has a blog at this site http://www.emilywierenga.com/blog/
