What is all the fuss?

[Godlovesmimi]

I just finished The Shack.  My Mother recommended I read it while recovering from surgery.  It took me about 12 hours, I couldn't put it down.  My Mother said she hated it but still she recommended it? My sister saw the book on my night stand and said that it was "a contraversial" topic at her church.  I think those who have a problem with it are the ones who really need to read it the most.  I found the book very moving and it reaffirmed so much of what I believe.  I was raised Catholic.  Some of my opinions on God are not the opinions of the Church but I allow myself to be open to anything that helps me love others.  I was most moved by the chapter on forgiveness.  So moved I balled and then asked forgiveness in the same manner that Mack did.  I have known all along that I needed to forgive this person but I didn't know how to do it and except that I could still be mad or how I could hate what he did and still forgive him.  Does that make sense?  I have had a lot of troubles in my life but I never felt like I was alone with them because of my faith that God was and is always with me.  I have lived through horrors and never gave up because I felt God's love in me.  I've read some of the posts here and my reaction is gut wrenching pain for the wandering and lost.  I want them to feel my love for them.  I want them to know God's love for them.  Life sucks sometimes and we can fall really far from Grace, I know this.  I've lived there.  But isn't it reassuring that we are loved for the individuals that we are?  I take my pain and I live in it.  The physical, the emotional, the trauma of me and I sit with it.  Then I give it away, to God.  It comes back though.  At first, everyday, then every week, now once a month.  I have nightmares.  And just like Mack, I have to repeat the process of forgiving over and over.  Forgiveness is tough.  Each time it gets lighter, easier.  Each time, I heal a little more. 

I wish I could love as big as God.  I wish I could love Mimi, (that's me) an ounce the way God loves me.  My "id" name is a reminder to myself.

[palapala]

Welcome Mimi, so glad you shared. I also went to a church that thought the book was to contraversial and confusing and others who thought that if I claimed to be closer to God after reading it then it is from Satan. It's crazy that some would condem people that become closer to God. Hope you stay and share more

[irishgeorgie]

Hi GodlovesMimi,
welcome to the forum, so glad the book was able to help you with the forgiving bit, that's a hard one to deal with and we all need help with it at times,
And yes its very reassuring that God loves us just as we are, warts and all,

[arus]

Hey Mimi, it's good to see you here     You are sooo right about forgiving being hard!  But when we get it right, it's amazing!  I look forward to getting to know you better.

[Godlovesmimi]

Hello, Thanks for the welcome. 

I have a question.  Did anyone feel like they had been hit by a truck, on an emotional level, after reading The Shack?  Am I "crazy" or was reading the book emotionally draining for you too? 

[arus]

LOL!!  For me, it was like being hit by nuclear bomb!!!

[Godlovesmimi]

I'm recovering today.  I cried half the night away.   I'm trying to sort it all out.  I think this means I really needed this book?

[palapala]

Yes Mimi, I was going to say, more like a train put Peni one up-ed me, lol. I have never cried so much, laughed so much, cried again for both saddness and joy. The Holy Spirit moved in me when I read this book and my friend that asked me to read it knew how much I needed this and was even about to deliver it herself if I did not go and buy the book. I didn't have to because by a miracle my daughter happened to get it for her birthday and it sat there for a couple weeks still in the gift bag. I showed it to my daughter in the store and told her that it was the book my friend wants me to read and she said "mom I have that book at home, got it for my birthday". Couldn't put it down after I started. Changed my life forever.

[arus]

I'm recovering today.  I cried half the night away.   I'm trying to sort it all out.  I think this means I really needed this book?

Yes, you did - that's why Papa put it in your path      You may want to re-read it a few times now dear - that really does help. 

[waiting]

Welcome to the club mimi,.......

    Kathy.xoxo

[Harshman]

When you recover, I want you to flip to the back of The Shack and find book recommendations and take a look at "He Loves Me!" by Wayne Jacobsen.  In essence it is the non-fictional version of The Shack.  This love is truly real.

[Godlovesmimi]

This is so wonderful!  I'm just so thankful that I'm not alone!  The Revolution!

[Harshman]

That love really is good news.  Not the somewhat overdone, monotone news that is so commonly held in religious circles but the overwhelming love that encompasses you that says "Yes, I know all your junk.  I, like you, I love you and I want to be with you."  That is revolutionary.  Here is another taste:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7azfoonNqpc

[Godlovesmimi]

Thank you Mr. Harshman.  You made me laugh with that Irish poem.  I'm sure my Grandparents would have laughed at that too.  I'll check out the web-site later. 

Maybe I am a bit excited and emotional over the impact the book has had on me but I'm living the moment and I hope it last.  I am all about the love.  I have to say this though, I am and always have been proud to be a Catholic.  I've taught kindergarten kids Sunday School for 20 years there.  My commitment to the children has always been to teach Gods never ending love for them.  They love coming to may class.  I'm to take the position of
religious education director soon.  I hope to continue to share the word of God with all of the children at my church.  I hope to teach them exceptance, joy in all they are and mostly, that God loves them with an unimaginable amount of love.

I'm so happy to have this new community to share my joy with!  I'm a cornball.  I know

[Harshman]

I'm excited that you found us.  As you continue to post, more of the forum will appear.  see this:
http://theshackbook.com/discuss/index.php?topic=6529.0

Enjoy the community here.  These are some of the greatest people I know.