I'll begin briefly with the fiction book I just finished called "Hood" by Stephen R. Lawhead. It's a retelling of the Robin Hood myth, obviously, but with a new twist; well new to me anyway. It's set in Wales as the Ffreinc are conquering and taking the land away from the people. The main character is Bran, a spoiled, self involved young man who loses his overbearing father at the beginning of the book. His choices are to either abandon his people or become the legendary Raven King, or Rhi Bran the Hud, and save his people from the oppression of the Ffreinc.
It's an enjoyable read, great if you're looking for something to simply zone out to. The characters are at once believable and entertaining. After a break neck beginning the middle slows way down as the hero undergoes a transformation and our villains each position themselves to divide the Welsh countryside among them. I highly recommend it.
Now on to "Buddhism for Mothers" by Sarah Napthali. I know it may sound strange for a Christ-follower to be reading a book about Buddhism, but I have to say I was surprised to discover how many Buddhist principles can be found among Jesus' teachings.
There is a belief in Buddhism that we must learn to be compassionate and gentle with ourselves before we can be that way with others and that spiritual change is a long journey, fraught with set backs and plateaus. This is one of the main things that brought me peace from reading this book. So often as a Christ-follower I am harsh with myself for not being better, not being further along in my spiritual journey; and this has seeped into my view of myself as a mother. Being a parent is hard enough without being your own worst critic. This book gave some deep and amazing principles for living a life of compassion towards ourselves and those around us, for working through and discarding worry, and for carving out times of peace and meditation (or prayer).
It wasn't easy to get through not because it was condemning, but because there was so much wisdom in it. I believe that true wisdom, whether phrased in the Bible, Buddhist teachings, Kabbalah or Koran is from God; I know that will likely raise eyebrows and blood pressure for some of you, but hear me out. I am a Christ-follower, I don't believe I've strayed from that. But I feel that I've heard the same thing the same way so much that I needed to hear true wisdom in a fresh way. That's why this book resonated with me; or at least one of the reasons.
It gives some wonderful ways to help deal with anger, worry, how to be in the moment rather than always thinking ahead and how to cultivate a spirit of love for our family and those in our community; how to be open and expand our world, in other words, to include more than just ourselves.
Honestly there's so much I got out of this book that I can't post it all. But let me just say I was constantly drawn to the Bible as I read it, constantly reminded of verses I hadn't thought of in months or years. And as I read I felt compassion for myself growing, I felt God loving me, and teaching me. I've been making an effort to surrender control of my day, of being the perfect parent to God every day. And I've been trying to be present to every moment, and not judge them good or bad because I don't know how God will transform them, or what He will use to teach me.
I recommend this book for any parent, whether you're a mother or father, whether you've just had a baby, are pregnant or your kids are in High School.
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