Layton's pastor, Rev. Frank Norwell, had baptized him, performed his wedding, and counseled him through his divorce. He had been there for Layton through all his ups and downs, especially when Layton's dad died. So why isn't Layton thrilled to see Pastor Frank in the waiting room during Brianne's surgery?
Pastor Frank's appearance is a stark reminder to Layton that his relationship with God isn't exactly cozy at the moment. Sensing Layton's spiritual struggle, the minister gently probes with the skill of a surgeon for those tender places of the heart, looking for a point of entry. Pastor Frank is a rare blend of caring and confronting. Being a minister of God's comfort is his calling, but he's equally willing to make a person uncomfortable. "How are things between you and God, Layton?" he asks.
It's the last question Layton wants to hear—or answer—yet he can't get it out of his mind. Eventually, Layton will have to deal with it. But first, he must go through some intense pruning of his soul to make it ready for new fruit. Pastor Frank waits and prays. He shares when Layton wants to talk, but he's also happy to listen.
We discover the human side of Pastor Frank quickly. He loves sports—especially Vanderbilt football—and his dear wife Myra. He also knows how to suffer. Pastor Frank doesn't think he's earned any chips with God that he should be able to call in when needed. He deals with adversity like we all must—one step at a time—with a confidence in God that develops over many years of faith in His Person and plan.
Pastor Frank knows what we're up against, and he also knows that the church can't make the difference. There aren't enough hours in a lifetime of church-going to replace a relationship with God honed through daily encounters with Him and His Word.
Pastor Frank knows God without being stuffy or unapproachable. He's comfortable around those who aren't where he may be spiritually. He's not likely to hold a grudge but extremely likely to lend a helping hand. Does this make him a super saint? No.
He worries that he hasn't been the pastor Layton needed. He thinks his divorce counsel was inadequate. He isn't sure that it's not too late for Layton and Amy, but if not, what to say? Like all of us, Pastor Frank can't make things right for others, but sadly, he can't even make them right in his own family.
Do many people have a minister who is this involved in their lives? Who cares this deeply? Who models such love and compassion? Probably not. But wouldn't you want him to be like Pastor Frank?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Brianne: Our Precocious Preschooler
In Living Between the Ditches: When God Makes No Sense, Brianne is definitely the character who pulls our heartstrings. At four years of age she is a victim of divorce and disease. Brianne has done nothing to cause her circumstances yet she must still deal with the consequences.
Her dad calls her "a tough little girl" and we see her spunk in the way she deals with her upcoming surgery. "Mommy said the doctors are going to make me all better." But we also feel Brianne's pain as she whimpers and sleeps fitfully in the big hospital bed. We want her to be "all better."
We watch as Brianne tries to make sense of the divorce. "Are you still mad at Mommy?" she asks Layton with a child's honesty. When Layton tells her he'll stay with her after she's released from the hospital, her eyes fill with tears as she replies, "But I want you to stay all the time."
We also enjoy Brianne. We chuckle at her playful teasing with her dad, her vivid imagination, and her lively conversation. When Layton calls her Kitten, she usually replies, "Meow." They share pretend picnics and conduct business at her toy cash register.
Brianne tells us more than she could possibly understand. She talks about the regular visits of her new friend, Taylor, which has ominous implications. She's literal with her words, as are all children her age, but readers get the deeper meaning. She names her white bear "Paychunts" because she had to have patience waiting on Daddy to return from his business trips.
Brianne also has childlike faith in God, a mystery to her father who is trapped in a figurative ditch of unbelief. Layton doesn't confront her or try to talk her out of it. In a way he wishes he could believe.
We are talking in our blogs about character development. As I explain in the Acknowledgements, Brianne's character was based on my four year old granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth. Thankfully, Sara is not sick nor are her parents divorced. However, observing Sara with a great deal of intense interest(!) taught me much about a child's mind and reasoning. Also I teach preschoolers at my church. I'll have to admit that they are my favorite students, and I've taught every age group at one time or another (remember I'm a pastor's wife).
So Brianne must be my favorite character, right? Actually, she's not. But we'll discuss that later.
Her dad calls her "a tough little girl" and we see her spunk in the way she deals with her upcoming surgery. "Mommy said the doctors are going to make me all better." But we also feel Brianne's pain as she whimpers and sleeps fitfully in the big hospital bed. We want her to be "all better."
We watch as Brianne tries to make sense of the divorce. "Are you still mad at Mommy?" she asks Layton with a child's honesty. When Layton tells her he'll stay with her after she's released from the hospital, her eyes fill with tears as she replies, "But I want you to stay all the time."
We also enjoy Brianne. We chuckle at her playful teasing with her dad, her vivid imagination, and her lively conversation. When Layton calls her Kitten, she usually replies, "Meow." They share pretend picnics and conduct business at her toy cash register.
Brianne tells us more than she could possibly understand. She talks about the regular visits of her new friend, Taylor, which has ominous implications. She's literal with her words, as are all children her age, but readers get the deeper meaning. She names her white bear "Paychunts" because she had to have patience waiting on Daddy to return from his business trips.
Brianne also has childlike faith in God, a mystery to her father who is trapped in a figurative ditch of unbelief. Layton doesn't confront her or try to talk her out of it. In a way he wishes he could believe.
We are talking in our blogs about character development. As I explain in the Acknowledgements, Brianne's character was based on my four year old granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth. Thankfully, Sara is not sick nor are her parents divorced. However, observing Sara with a great deal of intense interest(!) taught me much about a child's mind and reasoning. Also I teach preschoolers at my church. I'll have to admit that they are my favorite students, and I've taught every age group at one time or another (remember I'm a pastor's wife).
So Brianne must be my favorite character, right? Actually, she's not. But we'll discuss that later.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Amy: Villainess or Heroine?
At the beginning of Living Between the Ditches: When God Makes No Sense, Amy is Layton's nemesis— a thorn in his side, a burr in his saddle. Not too original a description but accurate.
Amy is the whining ex-wife who seems unaware of the pain she's caused Layton. Amy appears to care mostly about her needs getting met and having someone to cover the base with Brianne, her daughter, while she goes back to work. I challenge those (few) of you who have finished the book to go back and re-read the first three chapters! How has your impression of Amy changed?
Amy needed to start the book as the villainess because that was Layton's perception of her. After all, we continued to look at life through his filters. Perhaps there's a lesson in that. Often we take someone else's opinion of an acquaintance as the gospel truth. Perhaps if we got to know the person better, we'd discover another side to the story.
Amy helps us take that second look. Things aren't always as they appear, and even at that, we all need forgiveness and a chance to begin anew. Amy takes responsibility for her actions. I like that about her. But I wasn't prepared to like her at all. Similar to the situation with Layton, Amy grew with the book, and her character took on deeper and more brilliant hues.
Amy is a good mother. Her interactions with Brianne are warm and nurturing. Amy tried to be a good wife. Her obstacles are similar to those many of us have faced: a busy husband with a demanding job and not enough of him left at the end of the day for his family. Amy tried to be a good daughter. As an only child, she had the burden of being everything to her demanding parents. Pleasing others became a lifestyle that got her into a mess when she blamed herself for everything that went wrong.
Amy becomes a sympathetic character. We can learn a lot by how she handled adversity, and especially how she learned to trust. Amy, you're my heroine!
Amy is the whining ex-wife who seems unaware of the pain she's caused Layton. Amy appears to care mostly about her needs getting met and having someone to cover the base with Brianne, her daughter, while she goes back to work. I challenge those (few) of you who have finished the book to go back and re-read the first three chapters! How has your impression of Amy changed?
Amy needed to start the book as the villainess because that was Layton's perception of her. After all, we continued to look at life through his filters. Perhaps there's a lesson in that. Often we take someone else's opinion of an acquaintance as the gospel truth. Perhaps if we got to know the person better, we'd discover another side to the story.
Amy helps us take that second look. Things aren't always as they appear, and even at that, we all need forgiveness and a chance to begin anew. Amy takes responsibility for her actions. I like that about her. But I wasn't prepared to like her at all. Similar to the situation with Layton, Amy grew with the book, and her character took on deeper and more brilliant hues.
Amy is a good mother. Her interactions with Brianne are warm and nurturing. Amy tried to be a good wife. Her obstacles are similar to those many of us have faced: a busy husband with a demanding job and not enough of him left at the end of the day for his family. Amy tried to be a good daughter. As an only child, she had the burden of being everything to her demanding parents. Pleasing others became a lifestyle that got her into a mess when she blamed herself for everything that went wrong.
Amy becomes a sympathetic character. We can learn a lot by how she handled adversity, and especially how she learned to trust. Amy, you're my heroine!
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