A Time to Mend

by Sally John

  4. Claire has stepped into a season of “tearing.” It precedes one of “mending” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). As her life falls apart, deep needs and deep wounds are revealed. She must address these issues before she can move forward in her relationship with Max. What are those needs and hurts? How are those needs filled and wounds healed?

  5. Have you experienced seasons of “tearing” and “mending”?

  6. How do you relate emotionally to the women? Claire, her marriage, her loss of self? Indio and her regrets as a mother? Jenna trying to define her role as wife? Mother, daughter, and in-law relationships?

  7. Eventually Max’s wounds are also revealed. Discuss the hurts that stem from situations with his parents and his brother. How has he coped with them in the past? Why is he able to “go there” at this point in his life?

  8. In what ways have Max and Claire built walls between each other? How have these prevented them from creating emotional safety within their marriage?

  9. Claire wants to be first in Max’s life. When he finally “gets it” and sells the business, why can’t she receive this, his supreme act of love? What happens that allows her to receive it?

  10. In what ways have you been unable to receive love or forgiveness?

  11. What role does faith play in the lives of Claire and Max? It is mentioned that they turned to God early in their marriage. Why did they? What do you imagine happened between then and the time the story opens? How does their faith take on new dimensions by the end of the story?

  12. What signs do you see in Erik, Jenna, Danny, and Lexi that they have been impacted negatively by their parents?