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Nov. 21, 2007
Hedge Of Thorns
I realized that today was discussion day for the HSB Literary Club. I have a few moments in the midst of Thanksgiving preparations to share my thoughts about the book.
I was going to read the story with the whole family and then remember some of what I had previously read. I felt that it would be too heavy for my younger ones. So Monday night I read it with my oldest.
I am touched throughout the reading at the humility of John Carrol. He is so grateful for the love and training he received from his parents. You can feel the depth of emotion the memories of his childhood evoke. Little Bell is truly a gift he cherished. I loved the visual that the words gave me. I could feel and appreciate the description of the life he was living.
I questioned the absolute brokenness he felt at not being able to see through the hedge. The longing that he had to see what was on the other side. He was so focused on his goal that he developed a deviousness that was unrecognizable. I relate that to struggles with sin that I have had in the past. The end goal became more important than anything. And then to bring someone along with me made the sin easier to accomplish. Not the act of doing in, but the justification of it.
I was gripped by the agony he faced after committing the sin. Having been there, I could feel the pit in my stomach of realizing there was no turning back. What was done, could not be undone. The utter hopelessness hit a little close to home.
I have chosen to be honorable and not read any further until instructed to. My is that a hard thing. This would not have been my choice to stop here.
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Nov. 22, 2007 - Dear Staphanie~
I think we had a lot of the same feelings as we read this. I like the way you said, "I could feel the pit in my stomach of realizing there was no turning back. What was done, could not be undone." That is the feeling I was trying to describe in my post too. I felt it too... as a memory of, "Oh Lord, what have I done? If only I could turn back the time..."
But, we cannot.
As Amanda and I were writing out our discussions, I think we came to the conclusion that we could have just discussed each chapter separately because they are each so full. Of course, that would have been a little silly, so I had to break it somewhere. I guess I have seen too many cliffhangers. Sorry if it bothered you too terribly much. I totally understand. I think my children said, "Is that all?" But we had so-o much to discuss, so we stopped. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
I *love* the pumpkin pictures you have on your sidebar! Eric has been asking and asking if we can make a pie with the 3 pumpkins we bought. Now I can bring him here and show him what we need to do. He will be so excited!!! What a great idea!
Have a great Thanksgiving!!
blessings, J