"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Thursday Thoughts . . .

Well, only two comments yesterday so today's blog might be a moot point, but here it is. Linda (Ala Carte) and I went thrifting a couple weeks ago and in the book section she suggested some books I might enjoy reading. "The Secret Life of Bees," a novel by Sue Monk Kidd she said was good. It was 99 cents and had a yellow tag - which was 30% off - 70¢! What a deal - right?

It took place in 1964. I would have been 11 - in the book Lily was about 14. Her dad was T. Ray who was very much like my own father and the way I was raised as well. Her mother was dead and she dwelled on that fact a lot. She thought it was her fault. Maybe if her mother was there - things would be different. My mother was physically there and yet mentally absent at times.

None the less - she ran away when she was about 14. She was not one who would let injustice flow and fought for the justice of others. She rescued her servant out of jail and then they ran off together.

The thing that hit me in this book was the ending. What Lily learned. Earlier this week I talked about being happy - about it being a choice to decide to whether to like your life or not. Many people wrote comments about that and gave a lot of excellent quotes. Lily chose to leave her life and made a better one.

By the end of the book - Lily was living with four black women in a southern town - that was segregated. I lived in Atlanta in the 60's and believe me - unfortunately - it was true. That could be a whole other blog.


The 'momma' of the group told her something. And I believe she had to learn it because she was black. And obviously the writer of the book got it too. No matter who you are - you have worth - and you can and should stand up and be proud - finally knowing you are strong enough to take care of yourself.

Now you would have to read yesterday's blog where I copied two pages from the book. Here's one paragraph from page 289-

"This Mary I'm talking about sits in your heart all daylong, saying, 'Lily, you are my everlasting home, Don't you ever be afraid, I am enough. We are enough." I closed my eyes, and in the coolness of morning, there among the bees, I felt for one clear instant what she was talking about."


Did you understand the power the book was talking about? I'm a Christian and I believe in using the strength and smarts God gave is - being strong within. Some people don't like to mix the two. I think one of the things God gives us is a brain and the power to use it.

I think God gives us the power - inside - to go on - become strong - to survive. It is a gift from God. Sometimes you're in a bad situation and you have to get out.


Does God leave you there or does it give you the strength to do what you need to do? And the strength he gives you allows you to stand up and not let someone take your essence away. Becoming strong - allows you choices. You can decide to be happy or you can chose to be sad. Strength gives us choices.


Love, Chatty

34 comments:

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love that book. I have a great honey cake recipe to go with it. The movie is excellent too.

Jeanie said...

I read the book a long time ago and really liked it. I also like the lessons you have taken from it. I may need to take the time to read it again.

Rae said...

You have gleaned some excellent meaning from this book. I read it a long time ago and enjoyed it too. It definitely speaks to a person's ability to overcome difficult situations.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie I am so glad you liked the book. So many lessons to learn. Sue Monk Kidd is a great Christian writer and I think it shows! You are so thoughtful and have such insight...it's one of your gifts my friend! hugs, Linda

mo said...

I saw the movie one Saturday and I loved it.

*hugs*

mo

betty said...

I read the book a few years back, but am having trouble remembering too much about it.

I do believe God gives us the strength in our lives to live with the difficult things and to endure and grow through them. I know when going through rough times only trusting in him and seeking him has given me the strength to make it through them. I don't think without him I would have that inner strength and would fall apart more than I already do (LOL)

But I do see what you are saying here Sandie! And I do hope that you make a full recovery from those shingles!!!

betty

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...I liked the book. Thought it had lots of insight. Something must have happened because I got yesterday post AND today's post just this morning! That never happened before. But today I got two so that was great! Hope you have a good day, Sandie. OH LORD. I forgot! You have the shingles. Where are they? I had them on my arm a few years back and it felt like my arm was being jabbed with a hundred knives. Take care. Hope the meds help. Susan

BECKY said...

Sandie!! Oh My Goodness!! How wonderful of Linda to suggest the book to you! And yes, I read it too, when it first came out. The small, independent book store I frequent had it on display and the owner told me all about it. I must admit that I thought the title was just horrible! Who wanted to read about bees, for pete's sake?! I feel as if I need to re-read it now, too! Wonderful post! BUT, now....what's going on with shingles?? Another blog friend, who lives in rural Missouri (I think)..her husband has a horrible case of them! Did you doctor say much about why people are getting them?? I truly hope you won't feel any pain!!!! Hugs to you!

Beansieleigh said...

Wonderful post.. I will have to keep an eye open for the book, or Mo says, the movie even!.. LOVED you quote of the week too! ~tina

Angela said...

Hey Sandie!

Sounds like a great book. I do believe that God gives you what you need to get through things. I know there is scripture to support that but my mind is at a blank on the exact place to find it.

Hope you are feeling better!
Angela

Pat MacKenzie said...

I believe that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle. He doesn't rescue us from our predicaments, instead he gives us the power, knowledge, ability, etc. to rescue ourselves. We just have to tune into what he has given, and continues to give us. IMHO.

MadSnapper said...

i believe God has the power and we have to choose to draw on it. he will not force it on us. he gave us the will, the choice to choose to use His Word and His power. we all have choices and we need to use God to help us make the right one. many many many times, i chose to use my choice and not His... and fell flat on my face. but god is a God of 2nd chances and 3rd and 4th and as many as it takes.
i did not see your post yesterday, I think blogger did not let it show up, it was not in my reader or on my side bar, it says you posted at 8 am but i don't think it was there.

Kim said...

I have wanted to read this book for a couple of years but never get to it. I am moving it to the top of my reading list now. Tonight I'll check and see if I can get it on kindle.

deb said...

Great book. A lot of what you posted today hits home.....divorcing after 36 years...scared as hell, but much happier. Thanks for the reminder ♥
I can get thru this by God's Grace.
*hugs*deb

Ginny Hartzler said...

I am HERE!!! I didn't see your blog on my sidebar yesterday, I think the lack of comments was because it didn't show up on anyone's sidebar!!! I just read yesterday's post, OH NO!!! I am so sorry!!! And I have a shingles vaccine prescription laying on my table for the last month!!! I have only read yesterday's post and not your post today, I'm leaving for the day now, will read, comment and e-mail when I get back tonight. Quick prayers going up for you, Sandie, hang in there! See you later tonight.

Doris Sturm said...

Hello Sandie - I didn't read your last two posts because I may want to read the book first before reading a review...I don't read much anymore, except online, and I'm trying to change that because when I get absorbed in a good book, I'm really gone...like in another place and I like that feeling of taking a "vacation" without actually leaving ;-)

It was another beautiful day and if it only didn't get any hotter all summer long, I'd be a very happy camper LOL but we both know better than that.

Have a great day, my friend!
With Love,
Doris (and the Gizz!)

The Boston Lady said...

I hate that I didn't stop by yesterday! Bad, bad day here, many headaches. So, coming and seeing here today and seeing you talk about this book is so appropriate for me. It is such a great book, no so the movie. We DO have to choose to be happy, we Do have to choose our own course, we Do have to make the proper choices in order to be productive people and leave behind our weaknesses and temptations. Growing up through adversity makes you stronger. That's why we always learn more from our failures than our successes. If we are never allowed to fail or hit rock bottom, we can never have the satisfaction of rising above it all. Sigh. I have someone in my life who has never been allowed to hit that bottom and is thus, at 47 a complete mess. Didn't mean to prattle on about that Sandie, your fantastic post just was so in sync with what I've been saying to various people all week around here. Ann

Linda O'Connell said...

Loved the book and actually met Sue Monk Kidd and bought the book.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I read that book and loved it. This is an awesome post, Sandie. Awesome!

Love you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Liz Mays said...

I really enjoyed that book. There was a lot of sadness, but it was excellent.

Michaele said...

The girls and I have listened to the audio book at least 3 times. Wonderful, wonderful book with many good quotes.

Knitty said...

I loved that book! Sorry to hear you have shingles. I'm having a busy week with not much to show for all my busy-ness. I hope to catch up reading and writing this weekend.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Sorry, but I didn't read this post. I know you are saying WHAT???? I stopped as soon as I saw you were telling all about the book. I just taped the movie and don't want to know about it or have the ending spoiled. I'm planning on whtching it maybe Saturday night, if we have time.

Journeyin' Lady... said...

Happy Thursday!
I also loved the book and also the movie and could relate to it on some level since, although my Father wasn't quite that cruel, he was kind of a non-entity in our family.
I so believe that if you listen to your inner self and follow what it is telling you are listening to God's will.
Wonderful post. You're special.

mo said...

Hi, Thank you for dropping by my blog and being my newest follower!

My blog button for my blog is the one toward the bottom that has the caption above it "Take some petals with you.".

It is a small picture of the angel fountain full of rose petals with the title of my blog across it.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for asking.

*hugs*

mo

Debbie said...

What a wonderful post! I haven't read that book, and it's on the shelf. One or both of the girls read it.

I love your thoughts and the parts you highlighted from the book. I especially love what you said about using the gift of a brain that God gave us.

I'm not caught up on blog reading from being ill at the beginning of the week yet. Now I MUST go back and read from yesterday since it was the intro to this one.

Great post, Sandie.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I wish I liked to read books,, but I don't. Maybe it is because of a lack of time.
I know I must be missing out on a lot,,, but there just is not time.
I know what,,,,, I will quit my job,,!
There are so many things I wish I had time for,,, spending time outside,, volunteering,, reading every blog that I like,, making new posts ,,but there just is not time,
I wish I liked to read books.. so many wonderful books,, but there is no time.
Hardly time to breathe..
love
tweedles

Shanae Branham said...

I love this post! I totally agree with you! Thanks for your support on my fitness challenge! Cheers. Shanae

Shanae Branham said...

Thanks for the encouraging words about my progress and not making me feel like a dope for going to McDonalds! You are the best!

Shanae Branham said...

You are so right! Barret is a cutie pie! It's fun to share stories with you.

Donna B. said...

I saw the movie and LOVED IT!

Tanna said...

I love that book, Sandie!! And, I really enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's memoir Dance of the Dissident Daughter. I don't know how I missed the last post about SLoB, but it is a keeper (bees... keeper... lol... oh, well.) blessings ~ tanna

LADY JANE said...

Sandie my dear it sounds like I need to read that book...in my spare time ya know! Would one wonder why The prayer of serenity would be my favorite? Sometimes in this life God has given us we have to do things that we wonder WHY ME...the only thing I can say is attitude is everything for me...if I TRY to approach it with a good attitude it appears easier...but when I find myself having a bad attitude it challenges me all the more. I hope this makes sense and that someone does not think what in the heck is Lady Janetalking about...lol...Sandie...I know you understand me at least! Yesterday was Dr. day so I did not get much computer time and today is decorating at the church for Palm Sunday...plus my lil' Dumplins Momma works...so busy as usual...but HUGS and love and shared strength to you!

Cindy Caudle said...

I have not read the book, nor seen the movie but I think will put it on my read list. Sounds like a book I need to read. I agree with your last statement. We choose to be happy or sad. It takes more strength to be happy. Hope you have a good weekend.