The Shack
2 years, 11 months By Allyson
In: Books
So, one of the readers of my blog suggested that I should read the book The Shack. It's a Christian book. I was under the impression at first that it was fiction according to some of the reviews that I had read, and then I finally ordered the book via OhioLINK and received it last week. I've gotten through the forward and it does not appear to be a fiction. Either way that's alright, it looks interesting so far. I had a little bit of a hard time following along because well, hey let's face it I have two children. Ha. So if there's something I'm missing, I blame the kids!
I will probably reread the forward again and then begin reading the meat of the book. I think I'm going to have to do this on breaks at work or at night after the kids have gone to bed if I'm actually going to get anything out of the darn thing.
But I just wanted to give you a heads up that I did get the book and I'm at least attempting to read it.
Although, I must say I find it interesting that people seem to expect me to be knowledgeable on all things religious. I'm really really not. Quite honestly, even though the rest of the world considers me religious I never did. Am I religious according to what most people's definition of religious is? Yeah I guess so. But I more considered myself as a person who has a relationship with God rather than being religious. I did this for the simple reason that people make religion far too complicated. You have to follow this tradition, and do this, and don't do that, and if you do this you're going to hell. And the arguing about the way this religion does it is the only way it can be done correctly. There can be no other way. It's like baptism. Some of them want to sprinkle you when you're born. Some want to dunk you in the river when you're a kid. Others want you to make a choice and they dunk you in a freezing cold mini pool behind the pulpit in front of a group of people. And no one is okay with just saying hey, they got baptized, good for them!
When I was younger I attempted to follow into that sort of thing. But you know it just seems so much easier to say, "You know what, regardless of who you are or what you do God loves you." There are certain edicts that I live my life by, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I have to judge you by them. It's not my job to judge that's God's and when we die we'll face Him then.
When I was younger I thought I had to be perfect and I thought I had to have all the answers. And now I understand that the older I get the more I realize that's there's so much out there I don't know a darn thing about and it's okay to admit that. I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. I try to live my life the right way and follow along with what the bible says. Sometimes I'm successful and sometimes I am a complete and utter failure. But it's not the end of the world because God still loves me. I talk with God, I ask forgiveness, and try again. If I get to share that relational experience with other people, wonderful. Maybe they will get something out of it.
Alright, good night all.
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