I’ve been carrying this book with me for a while

It’s been:

• in the truck as we did errands
• in my bag as we went to Canada
• sitting on the table at my Mom’s diningroom
• in my lap-top case at a conference in Detroit
• beside the bed in the most comfortable hotel room I’ve had the pleasure to sleep in
• at the table after touring Bob Evans Homestead
• and on the couch in my sunroom

You’d think I was just hauling it from state to state and country to country without reading. You’d be wrong. I keep opening the book, reading a bit… pondering… deciding  this current bit is my favorite part of the book and then carrying on in life.

This is not my usual modus operandi when reading a book. I’m a consumer of books.  (Just ask Robert about the Amazon one-click charges at the end of the month!) One big bite – and it’s done.  Not this book.

What keeps me coming back for more?

Why have I delayed in writing this review? (I was provided a copy to review.)

What’s different about this book? Why do I keep picking it up and reading or re-reading parts?

Tim Kimmel (and his wife, Darcy) have communicated facts and stats quite competently in “Grace Filled Marriage”. Lots of marriage books do that. It’s organized in an attractive fashion. Yup. Many books are well organized. There are real-life stories of couples and Biblical examples. Good stuff. Valuable.

But what’s the unique impact in this book (for me) compared to others I’ve read this year?

It finally hit me as I opened the book once again this morning…

Imagery

Imagery is like mind-candy. (Read an interesting definition here) 

Here’s the example phase on page 166 that finally brought clarity to why I keep opening this book:

“… they ended up as sock puppets to the enemy.”

Sock Puppets.

Remember sock puppets?

Manipulation. There’s no motivation in sock puppets until something manipulates it. And those sock puppets usually look pretty stupid.

That phrase, “sock puppets” got me considering in what other places I’m letting the evil one manipulate me – rather than responding with grace.

The imagery, and the turns of phrase Tim Kimmel uses, keeps my mind engaged while reading the book, and then invites me to keep on applying the concepts. It’s almost funny how often, as I’m reading, I look up and just whisper-shout, “Yes!”. (If I wasn’t holding the book, my arm would be raised in a fisted exclamation.)

And maybe more.

And maybe it’s more than the imagery alone.

• I’m also drawn to how the author relates with me, the reader. He shows his personal vulnerability – and self deprecating humor – when telling stories of he and his wife.  And he shares from his life. (I dare you not to cry when you read the poem he wrote for his daughter’s wedding. BTW, their daughter’s name is Karis – the Greek word for grace.)
• I identify with the future focus of the promise Grace will bring to everyone’s marriage
  • a secure love
  • a significant purpose
  • a strong hope
  • to be different and vulnerable
  • to be candid and make mistakes
• I appreciate the study guide. There’s a study guide included – it asks probing questions to explore the concepts of the book.  Whether you choose to read the book on your own, with your spouse, or as a small group, consider using the study guide as a companion to enhance your learning.

Grace Filled Marriage

“The missing piece. The place to start.”

I like the subheading of this book – it intimates that it’s useful for us couples married many decades, and also for those just beginning the marriage journey. And it delivers the promise.

Robert and I have been invited to attend a wedding this month. I’ve already gathered some marriage books for the young couple and “Grace Filled Marriage” is going to be a part of the bundle. Check it out – it’s available as a hardback book and also an ebook.