Dec. 5, 2007 Hedge Of Thorns
In reading chapters 4 and 5, I could not imagine the restraint the author's father showed. Father and son walked out to the hedge all the while discussing the beauty of God's work in each of our lives. You can see very plainly that regardless of how distraught he may be, the father sees that what happened was allowed by God to better his son. Could I be so full of compassion and mercy to see that? I would like to say yes, but I know deep down, I could not be.
I loved how the father took the time to explain things and then allowed John to experience understanding. So many times we tell our children things and then try to make them understand, instead of allowing experience to teach them. He showed such patience in waiting on his son's understanding. You could feel that he realized the gravity of this lesson.
The picture story that helped us to understand the relevance of the hedge was wonderful. I never thought about the fact that God may build a hedge around us out of the things we may despise the most. I always used to say, "God did not make me rich because He knew I could not handle it." I am probably more right than I ever thought!
There was so much in these two chapters. My Oldest and I read it separately and then discussed it. I enjoyed that. We really delved into the analogy of the thorns on the rose. Thinking of the thorns as a blessing to the rose was something that never occurred to either of us.
I realized after posting this that I was suppose to read to chapter 7. I will get to reading it and post about those two chapters next. If you would like to read other reviews on this book hop on over. |
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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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