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Kayla's Only Heart

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Kayla's Only Heart

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Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Lewis

08 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Becoming Mrs. Lewis, book review, BookLook, books, C.S. Lewis, Christian fiction, Christian living, dream, England, hope, joy, lost, Patti Callahan, writer

I received a copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan through BookLook Bloggers.

 

After hearing some ladies in Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club discussing Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I knew I would enjoy it. A new friend of mine and I decided to read it, so I eagerly selected it as my first choice after joining BookLook. This historical fiction novel broadened my knowledge of C.S. Lewis, introduced me to his wife Joy and did not disappoint.

As Joy points out everything starts with words and acknowledges even the bible shares this truth, and her deep friendship with C.S. Lewis, who goes by Jack, begins no differently. She seeks his advice as a new Christian convert, and their letter writing turns into a regular correspondence and later a personal friendship. As a Christian unsure of how to trust God amidst difficult circumstances at home, Joy captures a feeling many have experienced to some extent. She feels lost and unsure how to move forward while still honoring God’s expectations for her. Of course she also desires to feel loved and understood. Both Joy and Jack find a depth to their friendship than broadens their understanding of theology, themselves and life. This grounds their work together as well as the family they ultimately bond.

This story delivers all I anticipated for a good novel about a historical figure who I wanted to know more. The inclusions of letters throughout the narrative gives it a personal feel, and that matches the closeness Jack and Joy feel to each other as they become best friends and work partners on books. Joy’s backstory gives a good understanding of her life and allows me to empathize with her plights. She makes a relatable character, and I find myself dreaming of going to England for some healing and writing inspiration myself. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to live in England during that time, as Lewis regularly meets with Tolkien (Tollers to his friends) and other notable writers and periodically meets with Sayers, not to mention share his literature knowledge at Oxford and Cambridge. I would love to spend a day amongst such great minds! This book gives me a glimpse into two very neat lives and makes me appreciate their writing contributions.

 

I recommend this book to anyone interested in C.S. Lewis. The writing might not hold the same level as Lewis’s, but the story does have depth that can add to your knowledge bank on such a neat figure. This isn’t my first read revolving around Lewis’s work, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Moving from Common Living to Dream Fulfilling

27 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in Journal, Photography

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book, Christian, Christian living, Christianity, church, common, community, dreams, encouragement, family, friends, fulfillment, gifts, goals, healing, heart, hurt, Max Lucado, nature, personal growth, Photo, photography, reading, role, spiritual gifts, support, tree, writer, writing

  

            I just have finished reading a chapter in Max Lucado’s book The Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot about joining God’s family of friends through church community. He emphasizes the importance of each member having a specific role to play, using his gifts, and how we come together as one body to support each other.

            The church as a hospital for hurt people is a common image used for Christians. This chapter demonstrates how the community helps its members by providing physical and emotional needs during difficult times. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m taking a course on healing from past wounds at a nearby church. We have spent the last couple weeks sharing our backgrounds and starting a healing process that begins with forgiving people who have hurt us and relinquishing lies, etc. I have immediately seen a significant difference in how I feel since I’ve had my turn in the “holy seat” on Monday evening. Maybe the true beginning really is as simple as acknowledging that certain people have hurt me and forgiving them as well as acknowledging and renouncing lies or curses I have believed as a result of those situations. Nothing has changed the past, but I have started to loosen its negative grip on me as I live in a healthier present.

            Feeling better has made me feel more equipped to start tackling some of my goals again, big and small. I have shared this readiness and some of the dreams on my heart with my group, and I have received enthusiasm and encouragement. Immediately, one friend wanted to introduce me to a writer at the church who currently seeks young authors. Then the group as a whole is happy to see me healing and reaching out to fulfill God’s calling for me.

            That’s exactly what the church family of friends does for each other. These wonderful women have stood beside me as I have started healing and as I shared my scars. I never once felt judged, rather felt lifted up and seen in a positive light for who I am rather than things I have done or that have been done to me. They are helping me get plugged into the church, eager to see me use my gifts. Each week, I am reminded that there is no such thing as coincidence and that God placed me in this group for a purpose.

            As Max Lucado points out, the church is a family of friends. It can come together to serve each other through sharing burdens as well as connecting people for community and getting people plugged into the right place to use their gifts. I am not a member of a church in my area yet, but I am encouraged to keep getting involved to receive further healing from the church as a hospital as well as use my gifts to lift people higher and bring them closer together in fellowship.

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You can't make advances if you don't take chances. These posts share my perspectives of my journey as I step forward, walking in the Light.

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