Save The Date

Two weekends ago I finished reading a book from the local library.  Once again I just browsed the aisles for something that jumped out at me.  This time I decided to walk down the letter "J" aisle.  The book I found as Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones.  It sure was fitting for this time of the year, because one of the characters is a gentleman running for a seat in Congress.  

I really enjoyed reading this book.  The main female character is Lucy.  She runs a non-profit women's home for young women that have graduated from the foster system but still need a bit of help before they step out on their own.  The book starts out with Lucy getting ready to have dinner with the love of her life and she has very high expectations.  Then the story jumps to two years later.  Lucy is on her own and on a mission to save her beloved women's home from ruin.  After funding for her non-profit is pulled she makes an attempt to storm the castle during a gala to get answers to why.  She is intercepted by a former professional football star, son of the funding company's CEO, and potential congressman Alex. 

Alex's numbers are down in the race for Congress, but after some pictures appear from the gala event with Lucy his numbers start to rise.  Thus a plan is hatched, to increase his likability to the public Alex's campaign managers suggest that he needs a women by his side.  Lucy on the other hand needs funding to save her women's home.  So the two strike a deal for a fake engagement until after the congressional seat was won.  So what will really happen?  How will the story end?

I had quite a few laughs and there are a few unexpected turns along the way.  How can the daughter of a maid fit into high class society?  How can a self-centered jock portray a sensitive side to the public?  

This story also has a spiritual side too.  One of the supporting characters is a youth minister and there is an amazing few paragraphs featuring a sermon.  The sermon is about giving our worries, our weaknesses, our flaws to God because no matter what we are perfect to him.  We are worth of him and his love.  Always a nice reminder.  

Another spiritual aspect is that everything is in God's time not our time.  We may think that our life is crap and that nothing can go right, but He does have a reason and purpose.  He makes us stronger, wiser, and He does answer prayers (although it may not always be the answer we expect).  

Here are some verses on God's timing: 

 ~ "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8

~ "There is a time for everything,  

and a season for every activity under the heavens:  

a time to be born and a time to die,  

a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

a time to kill and a time to heal,  

a time to tear down and a time to build,  

a time to weep and a time to laugh,  

a time to mourn and a time to dance,  

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,  

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,  

a time to search and a time to give up,  

a time to keep and a time to throw away,  

a time to tear and a time to mend,  

a time to be silent and a time to speak,  

a time to love and a time to hate,  

a time for war and a time for peace." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8