Sunday, August 2, 2009

Find the Time

"An international art dealer and a modern-day slave from Louisiana become friends after the art dealer is roped into volunteering at a homeless shelter by his saintly wife." - Marcia Z. Nelson, Publishers Weekly

I wish everyone would take a couple of days and read this book. It really draws the reader into the lives of these two men and sends you on a (sometimes emotional) journey through their friendship. I started reading this at the airport on my way to visit Alyssa and Michael in Arizona, and sitting on the runway coming back to Texas, I couldn't stop crying in order to finish the last chapter. I would read a little bit, put the book down, hold back tears, read again, and finally decided I couldn't continue without causing a scene. People around me probably thought I was scared of flying, and I half expected a stewardess to walk by and offer me some comforting words before takeoff.
The chapters alternate between Ron and Denver sharing about their childhood, adult life, and eventually their lives after crossing paths. I appreciate the honesty and openess of the authors in telling about their struggles, thoughts, and responses to situations and to each other. Our thoughts are not always pleasant, but they refuse to make themsleves look good and instead just tell the truth. Same Kind of Different as Me is highly entertaining yet challenging. It made me consider my priorities and left me in awe of how God orchestrates people's lives, always knowing what's best for us even when we don't see it.

3 comments:

Danielle said...

well why haven't you brought it to cs for me to read then!? ps i like your new background!

Jessica said...

I love this book! Reed's mom gave it to me a while back...she actually has one of Denver's paintings in her living room! I love the story too, its real, nothing about it is trying to be anything other than what really happened. I really really appreciated that too and it was so challenging. I think I might have to Reed it again soon.

Ruth Barnes said...

Catherine had to read this book one year to be a Welcome Week leader at Baylor. After she read it, she insisted that I read it too. I'm so glad I did because it has affected me greatly in way I see other people. Also, it reminds me that there are so many people that need our help... right here in Dallas/Ft.Worth. People are just people!