by Jody Hedlund
HC lib paperback 389 pages
genre: Christian historical fiction
John Newton and Polly Catlett
love at first sight / slave trade & abolition / music and passion
Loved the author's note at the end! Most of this story actually was true. (John Newton wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace.")
page
92 - "She didn't know why she bothered to argue with Susanna. She never
won the word sparring." I can relate to this! There are times I want to
argue, but know I may as well just keep quiet.
page
153 - "But even as her prayers formulated, her soul echoed with
emptiness. Would God really hear her? Why would he listen to her when
she was riddled with faults? Would she ever be free of her sin and good
enough to truly connect with God and feel his presence? If only she
could earn his favor. Maybe then he'd finally hear her prayers." I understand why people can feel this way, but trying to earn God's favor is foolish! His grace and mercy are what connects us to Him. We simply can't do enough to be good enough. That's the point!
page 233 - Ugh! How maddening that John continues to make stupid choices! What an idiot! It was hard to like him as a protagonist at times.
page
352 - Finally! "Newton dropped his face into his hands and wept for the
man who'd never given up on him. The man who'd loved him though all the
difficulties and disappointments and failures. The man who'd never
stopped loving him. 'Thank you.' His voice cracked. 'I love you too,
Father.'" And I love how he comes to the realization that his heavenly Father loves him, just as his earthly father does.
page 369 - Polly's mom: "No one can
expect a perfect marriage. Both partners are sinful human beings, and we
bring those sins with us to marriage. However, when two people are
committed to growing in holiness there is hope for any problems that
arise." So true!
page 385 - from the author's note, a
message from John Newton to his wife - "My love has been growing from
the day of marriage, and still it is in a growing state. It was once as
an acorn, but it has now a deep root and spreading branches like an old
oak. It would not have proved so if the Lord had not watered it with his
blessing." Love this actual quote from his writings!
Book club discussion - slave trade.
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