I don’t really know how long this book has been out, but the first I heard of it, was from my father-in-law.  He was raving about it.  Then, a friend of mine got the book for Christmas and her view of it was not nearly as positive.  In fact, she found it depressing, especially near the end.  She actually didn’t finish the last 30 pages.  So, I figured, how could two people have such opposing views of this book.  I even saw the author on a morning show, so I had to read it!!

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but what I got was a story that touched my very soul.  I cried and I laughed, and it made me want to make a difference.  I don’t mean it made me want to make some huge worldly difference.  If God allows me to do that someday, that would be incredible.  But it made me want to make more of a difference just in day to day life, with my kids, my husband, my co-workers.  The book says something to the effect, one small gesture can change the universe.  Think about that!!

Ok, so here’s a little taste of the book.  The author actually asks, if you discuss this with friends or online, not to give away the whole story.  I will do my best to honor his wishes, and leave you, wanting to read this book.  “The Shack” is about a man named Mack, a family man.  He didn’t have a good childhood, especially regarding the relationship with his father.  But, as an adult, he was a wonderful husband and father, and no one would ever guess that his childhood was as traumatic as it was.   His family suffers a devastating loss and the story is his OWN account of his road to forgiveness, redemption and healing.  

Now, whether you think this actually happened to him, or not, is really irrelevent, at least to me.  I have been a Christian since I was 15, but I’m still not a Bible scholar.  I can’t quote scripture off the top of my head.  This book left me with the hunger to know God, like I did when I was a teenager, a new Christian.  It gave me more of a thirst to have a real relationship with God, and to not just ask for help when things are bad.   God wants all of us, good and bad.  He has no expectations of us.  We are not supposed to be “perfect.”  God made only One who was perfect.  He just wants a relationship with us, like you would have with your own father.   It’s that easy.   Having a relationship with God will make us all better people. 

I truly encourage you to read “The Shack” and check out the website The Shack Book,as well.   My prayer is  that it will encourage everyone that reads it, and that it will strengthen your relationship with God.   It might even make you be a better person to those around you.  Just think if one small gesture could change the universe.  That one gesture could start with you.