Tag: prayer

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Back on Blossom Street, by Debbie Macomber, 2007, MIRA (Harlequin)

Back on Blossom Street
Back on Blossom Street

Another heart-warming story about Lydia and the friends she makes in her knitting classes. This time they are knitting prayer shawls. Each person is participating for a different reason and plans to use the shawl for a different purpose.

As they knit together, bonds form between them. Gradually their stories emerge and develop. They support one another in their struggles.

Chapters alternate between three Points of View: Lydia, Alix, and Colette. I met Lydia and Alix in the first book of the series. Although I haven’t read books 2 and 3, I didn’t notice anything missing as I picked up on their lives. This may be partly because of Macomber’s writing style. She ensures each story stands alone by subtly filling in bits of backstory. Colette is going through a complex period in her life, lending some intrigue to the story.

Macomber expertly integrates spiritual life lessons into the raw events of life like they happen, without glossing over actions, thoughts, feelings, and words. This is what I love about her writing. Plus, Blossom Street is in Seattle, not too far south of Western Canada where I live, so I can relate to the west-coast climate and culture she describes. Women of all ages are included among the characters, as well as the men in their lives. Themes are secrets, pregnancy, weddings, accidents, forgiving, bonding, death, and trust, interspersed with joys of life such as tea, seafood, and ocean breezes.

To learn more about Debbie Macomber and her novels, visit www.DebbieMacomber.com.

To learn more about the book or to order, tap on this link: https://amzn.to/3pa8F8D. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

To read other reviews on Goodreads, click here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5630440775.

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Respect

You shall not revile God [the judges His agents], or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people. Exodus 22:28

Disrespect for authority is rampant these days. What has become of respect? As a child in the 1950s I was taught to respect my elders, teachers, pastors, police, and anyone in a position of government.

People in such positions fulfill a purpose in society–to represent God in guiding us with principles and keeping us from being wronged.

Yes, often they are wrong–sometimes even evil.

But the fact is that they ARE in a position of authority. How they got there may also be right or wrong. Nevertheless, we ought to esteem them and pray for them rather than reviling and cursing them.

We must pray that they make good decisions, God-honouring and wise. We can speak out to address issues in many ways these days–by writing to the authorities directly or by posting on social media. Yes, certainly address issues, but do it with respect.

Bear in mind that they are actually God’s agents. When you feel like cursing them, pray for them instead, that their decisions and judgements will be godly.