We’re told
in Scripture that God is love. He definitely proved His kind of love is an
unconditional and undeserved type through sending His Son to die for our sins.
Some love
isn’t hard to conjure. God just helps us to enhance it. For example, I am still
head-over-heels in love with my husband of twenty-six years. But through God’s
Word and leading, I’ve learned to love my husband more like God planned for a
wife to love her husband.
When my
little girl was born, I was in love, even though it took a lot to get her here.
But God has shown me how to love my daughter through example and discipline.
I struggled
with infertility issues before finally conceiving my only daughter. My
bitterness heightened each time I would hear about a young woman or girl who
conceived out of wedlock and by accident. I cried out to God that this wasn’t
fair. I wanted a baby and would care for that child and love that child, giving
her a mother and a father.
Some years
later I was approached by the director of our church association’s Pregnancy
Crisis Center to become their devotional leader. I struggled with my answer for
a bit but knew God was pushing me to do this.
As I shared
about the love of God and then listened to these girls tell their stories, I
had to repent of my former bitterness. God taught me to love and care for these
girls and their babies. They each had a story with hopes and dreams of their
own.
Everyone
deserves to know about the unconditional love God offers. This is what I hope
readers see in the story, The Crux of
Honor.
Since God is
love, when we allow Him to teach us His kind of love, we can’t help but be
richer and enrich others.
Check out Paula’s contribution to Prism Book
Group’s new Love Is series…
The Crux
of Honor
“Love
does not dishonor…” 1 Corinthians: 13:4
Chelsea Wilson’s life
is a constant reminder of what living dishonorably looks like. At every turn
she continues to prove her mother’s shunning must be deserved.
Dr. Kevin Alley returns to the old home place to
establish his medical practice. After running into Chelsea, he knows his love
for her is still strong.
Chelsea is ousted from her small rented room
when her mother bursts in, proclaiming Chelsea’s pregnancy.
Kevin takes Chelsea in, giving her space to live
on the upper level of his house.
When Chelsea’s baby displays life-threatening
symptoms, Chelsea must face her mother. Secrets unfold about Chelsea’s parents.
Can Chelsea and Kevin uncover the secrets linked to Amish heritage in time to
save the baby? Can the two find love together despite their history?
My review:
My review:
Mowery’s addition to the Love Is series is a complicated,
multi-layered story focused on the theme of dishonor…and ultimately, true
honor. Fear and shame unchecked is the cause of the day. It’s hard to figure
out who’s the real bad guy and good guy. Chelsea is a victim, certainly, who
made poor choices and reaps the reward of a surprise child. Mother comes off as
a true villain, damaging her daughter emotionally out of absolute terror
Chelsea will make the same mistakes she did. But no one knows the depth of
those mistakes until it’s almost too late.
Chelsea’s father hides while another man steps in to care
for his adult daughter. Kevin has always loved Chelsea and slowly unravels the
tangles of miscommunication that drove them apart. Ready to see through all of
Chelsea’s misery and guide her out of it, Kevin also slowly woos her and is
prepared to walk with her and her child as a true family. But Kevin must also
risk patient confidentiality when he needs to get to the bottom of the baby’s
medical condition.
Told from multiple viewpoints, Mowery does a wonderful job
portraying all the angst of Chelsea and her sea of emotions during this
incredibly emotional and physically painful passage into motherhood. Be
prepared to experience mixed feelings about everyone as their true motivations
are gradually peeled back. A poignant story in short form, those who enjoy a
rollercoaster read will enjoy Crux of
Honor.
Stand alone ebook Buy Crux of Honor on Amazon
Bundled for Print with two other Love Is books coming soon.
