A few years back, like five or six, I read a book that was,
for me,
the calm after the storm …
or was it the calm before the storm?
A book written by an unknown author, who self-published a book that ended up going all the way to the New York Times Bestseller List (currently over twenty million copies sold).
Recently, through the daily reading of a teacher in whose class I work, I have been re-visiting the Shack, by William P. Young.
This novel, written as a story by Mr. Young, for his children, became both loved and reviled by the Christian community. Some felt it the best thing since the classic John Bunyan story of Pilgrim’s Progress. Others felt it was heresy.
I read it,
and received it,
as a fairy tale, drama, tragedy, love story
metaphor for the depth of love that God has for his children … His deeply beloved.
Last week, while the teacher was reading through a chapter, it happened.
I call it the Shack attack …
The words on the page pierced my heart, as though inked onto the page by my very heart.
“I guess part of me would like to believe that God would care enough about me to send a note.”
and my dry eyes were suddenly hydrated unexpectedly.
I think we all look hope for that kind of love, that kind of pursuit …
and my own experience of The Shack (and of The Word) is that He does.
Be prepared, there will be more posts of my return to The Shack.
Mr. Young stated to radio host talk show Drew Marshall that The Shack “is a metaphor for the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged…the thing where shame or hurt is centered.”
itsawonderfilledlife 