Forsaking All

After reading five fictional books in four weeks, I was ready to take on something a little more serious and life changing. Since I first read Authentic Beauty in the summer of 2007, I have been captivated and encouraged by Leslie Ludy. Her books motivate me to become more like Christ each day, making Him not just prominent, but preeminent in my life.

My latest Ludy purchase, Sacred Singleness, is my current summer read. While Ludy's book is shorter than every book I read last month, I know Sacred Singleness will take me more time to read. Why? There's more to digest because God is sure to work on my heart--and I admit that I may not be completely willing to change.

The book begins with a reminder that in order to become more like Christ, I must be willing to forsake all--even the one thing society believes every girl dreams of: marriage. Ludy notes that "Our fulfillment cannot be found in marriage, children, or fairy-tale dreams come true. Until He is our all in all, we aren't truly living the Gospel life" (16).

Like so many Christian young ladies, I have struggled with this "curse" of singleness . . . but (as Ludy points out) singleness is not a curse, it is a gift! I can minister to the Lord as a single person in ways that I could never minister if I were married right now. Truly, as the song says, "Jesus Christ is made to me all I need."


So, am I completely content in Christ 100% of the time? Of course not! In fact, there are even times while reading Sacred Singleness that I want to throw the book down and complain that "Leslie just doesn't understand . . . after all, she's married!" But I know the true cause of my frustration: God want to change me--He wants me to be content in Him, but I'm still struggling to give Him every area He asks for. 


The Lord used Leslie Ludy to slap me in the face. Total surrender--"forsaking all"--isn't a cake walk. In fact, God tells us that walking in His steps will be hard. Elisabeth Elliot hit the nail on the head when she wrote that "None of us likes pain. All of us wish at times we did not need to 'go through all this stuff.' Let us settle it once and for all: we cannot know Christ and the power of His resurrection without the fellowship of His suffering" (20). Complete commitment to Christ requires sacrifice. God doesn't say what the sacrifice will be, but He does command that we willingly lay aside everything to follow His will.


So far, I'm loving Sacred Singleness, even if I do have a hard time swallowing the truths Ludy presents. My God wants to change me and I must be willing to forsake all.

Summer Reading

Can you believe that summer is here? Summer is a wonderful time to work on that tan (or, as is my case, accumulate more freckles), work around the house, raise money for next semester's college bill, and, of course do some summer reading!

I love summer vacation because I can finally read the books I want to read without being distracted by completing 18 credits worth of course work. As soon as finals week began in late April, I began compiling my summer reading list and got started on reading. 

All the books I have read in the month since returning home from college I happily recommend to you. I warn you that I've been on an adolescent literature kick, but I'm sure you'll enjoy them as much as I did.

May's Must-Reads

• A Swiftly Tilting Planet (L'Engle): This is the third book in L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series. The book stretches the imagination as the reader travels with Charles Wallace through space and time. If you enjoy science fiction, this is a must read (of course, I recommend that you read the other novels in the series as well).
• The Throne of Fire (Riordan): If you don't know me very well, I should warn you that I have become quite obsessed with all three of Riordan's young adult series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and the Kane Chronicles. The Throne of Fire is Riordan's newest release and the second book in the Kane Chronicles. Before you pick up The Throne of Fire, make sure you read The Red Pyramid. Riordian uses these series to lay a foundation of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology for adolescent and mature readers alike. I warn you, these you may become addicted to reading, but don't worry, the second installment of the Heroes of Olympus is due to release in October.
• Fairest (Levine): Have you ever heard of Ella Enchanted (if you've only watched the movie, you are missing out on the majority of Ella's struggle with her curse)? Well, Fairest is another great retelling of a classic fairy tale (I won't tell you which one, you'll have to discover that for yourself). Levine does a wonderful job telling an old story in a new way. If you got a few hours, pick up Fairest and get lost in the beauty of music.
• And Then There Were None (Christie): Once known as Ten Little Indians this book is a fantastic thriller mystery (which isn't too surprising). Get wrapped up in the mystery--pick up the book at Barnes & Noble for around $13.
• The Phantom of the Opera (Leroux): Andrew Lloyd Webber did not do this classic mystery justice. Leroux proves his creative and deductive genius when he supposedly retells the story of Paris' opera phantom. To get a proper understanding of the book, don't skip the introduction or epilogue--the back story will blow your mind. You can follow Christine, Raoul, and the Phantom through the opera by downloading the book for free through websites like Project Gutenberg or by downloading it to your nookcolor (nook or kindle) for around $1.