For about seven years now, my go to book has been Francine Rivers' "Redeeming Love." It is a fictional book based upon the book Song of Solomon in the Bible. I read this book whenever I feel like I need a reminder that there is Someone who loves me unconditionally.
Wednesday, I decided I would go to B&N. My weekend had been pretty terrible and I needed a pick-me-up. I was intending to purchase a Gary Chapman book. I have the 5 Love Languages on Kindle, but I wanted a hard copy so that I could highlight, take notes and underline important sections. Well, B&N was out of stock on that book. So I perused the featured tables just looking for anything to catch my eye. I saw a book with a photo of the most beautiful wedding dress I'd ever seen. Appropriately, it was called "The Wedding Dress" by Rachel Hauck. I read the back cover. Its tag line read, "One Dress, Four Women, One Hundred Years..." or something to that effect. The summary read to be a great mystery book. Already I was hooked.
Additionally, I have this funny habit when it comes to selecting books to read. I will read the first page, a page somewhere near the middle, and another page near the end. I like to see if I will like the style of writing and how challenging a read a book may be. Just reading those three pages, I was hooked. The writing flowed well, there was mention of Jesus in an appropriate context and I wanted to read more!
I couldn't dive into the book until Friday. But, let me tell you... I was done with it in three hours!
This book is my new "Redeeming Love." "The Wedding Dress" was like a hug from God. The message of this book was that this wedding dress is a metaphor for The Gospel. The Gospel is for everyone. It fits everyone like a glove. The dress in the book fit four women over the course of a hundred years and never needed to be altered. As is the Gospel, It does not need to be altered. Not by one stitch in or out.
I have been saved since I was 8 years old at Mims Baptist Church in Conroe, TX. William Blackburn came to preach as a guest at our church and he did a good job of explaining sin and salvation. He did such a good job that at invitation time I made my decision to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord an Savior. I was baptized a few Sundays later. By no means am I perfect. I still sin. But I repent and I know that the Grace of God has redeemed me for ever and ever.
Anyway, after my terrible weekend, and reading this wonderful book... I feel back to 100%. I have been reminded that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally even when my life is in turmoil.
Go Find Rachel Hauck Here.
