The Storm-Tossed Family

Russell Moore
Date Started: July 15, 2020
Date Finished: July 24, 2020
9h 8m 18s
Reason Book was Chosen:
This was a book I first heard about in a podcast episode. I don't recall which podcast. The publisher then said they would send it to me. I can always use some help in being a better husband and father.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book. It’s a look at family, marriage, parenting, and extended family in view of the cross.

One part in particular jumped out at me because it ties in with a number of other books I’ve read for this project. One recurring theme is that of the importance of narrative. I’m not just talking about a fiction narrative, but how narratives define so much of our lives. News organizations relate news through an overarching narrative. People fit their lives into a narrative, be it religious or not.

It’s best if I just quote the few sentences I’m referencing in this book:

In talking to a wise older man, I said how haunted I was by guilt in this unresolved conflict (a broken relationship). The older man said, “I think the problem is that you are a narrative thinker and you want narrative closure here. You want a plot resolution, and you just have to release that your life is not a book. You may not ever see ‘closure’ here, and you should trust God with the plot.”

Wow – that is such a powerful insight and it hits on a big point of disappointment in our lives. We want broken relationships to resolve. We want the sick child to be healed. We want the addict sober. But life is not always that way. It’s important to identify how we view life (in a narrative form) and how many things may never resolve and fit the narrative we hope or trust in during our lifetime.

Share Your Thoughts:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.

Permanent Record
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes