The Shack

Tom and I are reading a book called, “The Shack” by William P. Young. As a matter of fact, Tom suggested we read it to each other. The past few days, we have enjoyed doing just that. For those of you who have not heard of it, this is the synopsis on the back:

Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever.

This book was suggested by friends of ours (check out Madison’s book review HERE). Apparently there is some controversy, but I’m half way through it and find it totally intriguing and thought provoking. It is a work of fiction, but it contains so many truths.

You might have to expand your box of how you see God (portrayed here as a large black woman) but as I said it’s a work of fiction and I liked how the author explained why she appeared to the main character that way.

Without giving away much of the story, there is a part of the book that we just finished reading that just nailed me. It was about judgments. How the main character has sat in judgment of God and people in his life. It just moved me to repentance.

How often have I sat in judgment of others or worse yet God. I forget that God is good and just. I forget that He gives me what I need always and not necessarily the things I want. Just like with my own children, I know what they wanted may not always be what was best for them. Yet, I think I know better than God. I believe that if I want something, then God who loves me must want the same thing. Not always the case. I forget about God’s due time. I forget about what God may be trying to teach me. I forget a lot of things, when I’m in the want mode.

Do yourself a favor, read this book. I liked it so much that I’m going to be giving away a copy. Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. If you already have a copy you can still leave a comment and let me know if you liked it. I will draw a name on Saturday, April 26^th and post the winner.

© Nadine Z. 2008