Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Chasing Fireflies


I love fiction and a sweet friend showed me an amazing author, Charles Martin. I have read a few of his books and am currently reading Chasing Fireflies. I always think about doing book recommendations on our blog, but never get around to doing so. I have read so many good books that I have found on other blogs:) I am not finished with this one yet but I think you'll like it. It takes place in the south, as do all his books I think.
Here is a quote from the book that I just loved...a foster father shares this wisdom with an abused and orphaned boy.....
Unc walked up next to me and hung his arms across the fence railing. In his hands he held an empty mason jar with holes punched in the lid. He stood there a long time turning the jar. Inside, a single lightning bug fluttered off the sides of the glass. Every five or six seconds, he'd light his lantern. Unc turned the jar in his hand. "Scientists say that these things evolved this way over millions of years." He shook his head. "That's a bunch of bunk. I don't think an animal can just all-of-a-sudden decide he wants to make light grow out its butt. What kind of nonsense is that? Animals don't make light." He pointed to the stars. "God does that. I don't know why or how, but I'm pretty sure it's not by chance. It's not some haphazard thing he does in his spare time."
He looked at me, and his expression changed from one of wonder to seriousness, to absolute conviction. "Chase, I don't believe in chance." He held up the jar. "This is not chance, neither are the stars."
I was hurting inside, and the streaks shining on my face didn't scratch the surface at telling how much.
He tapped me gently in the chest. "Neither are you. So, if your mind is telling you that God slipped up and might have made one giant mistake when it comes to you, you remember the firefly's butt."
I just read it and it reminded me of my conversation with Caleb yesterday who is such a deep thinker and a sweet emotional boy. He asked at the end of the day if we had heard anything about B and Y....when I said no....he just lost it and cried and cried.....repeatedly asking "Why won't God let them come home?" In my attempt to share that I understood his frustration and how difficult it is to trust God's plans....Caleb said "The only plan of God's that has worked so far has been getting one document and even that isn't helping...." Oh Caleb, what a hard lesson to learn for your tender heart...I may have to share with you about the firefly's butt.


3 comments:

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

I LOVED Chasing Fireflies. It was my favorite of the Charles Martin books I have read so far. It is not as overtly "Christian" as a couple of them, but it is incredibly well written. If everyone could have an Unc in their lives, they would be blessed.

Liz Burley said...

In reading Caleb's honest response to the difficulty of this time of waiting, praying today for your entire family as you continue this season -- for continued trust and supernatural patience. Praying it will be sooner rather than later for the paperwork barriers to be resolved.

Rebecca said...

I know that God has THE plan, but I often ask the same thing Caleb asked. It's hard to figure out why those sweet babies haven't been able to come home.

Still praying.