I stood out on the porch a long time after calling Adam, praying up into the starry night sky. Not with words but with my whole soul, clutching the book to my heart. Crickets began to whisper.
God, You are too good to me! I thought, watching a shooting star explode over the mountains. A brilliant streak that glowed for a moment and then burned out into blackness. When I closed my eyes, I could still see the faint streak, luminous, like a memory.
One last flourish, Mom had written. Life is so short, so fragile. And yet we hold it in our hands like a gift, making each moment our brightest and best. Giving our all to God until our last petal falls, and still we sing. One last flourish on this earth, to love, to live, and to open doors.
I still had one more phone call to make.
I picked up Adam’s cell phone, still warm in my hand, and dialed my dad’s number.
Discussion Questions
1. During Shiloh’s first visit to church she senses she’s losing her grip on “who she is”—leaving her trapped between the person she was in the past and the person she’s becoming. Has this ever happened to you? How did you come to terms with your “new” self?
2. When Shiloh’s world begins to shake, she says, “Wasn’t God supposed to … start me off easy?” Have you ever felt like this? What does the Bible say about the troubles Christians face in life (see John 16:33, James 1:2, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)? Do you think it is unfair of God to test believers in this way? What might happen if God prevented Christians from deep suffering? Can you list any good that comes from suffering and difficulty in our lives?
3. At the beginning of the book, Shiloh is afraid to tell Kyoko that God has changed her life. What is she afraid of? Have you ever felt this way before—and if so, why? If you’ve ever experienced this, what did you do to face your fears, and what was the result?
4. Jamie Rivera tells Shiloh not to worry about being Kyoko’s friend as a new believer, but to “be yourself—yourself with Jesus.” What does she mean by this? What kind of impact do you think this kind of lifestyle and friendship could make on a person like Kyoko? Conversely, what actions or attitudes might have a negative impact?
5. Beulah says that God plans every detail of our lives, including where we work and who we meet. Do you believe this? Have you ever seen evidence of God’s obvious planning in your life, even when all your choices seemed “random”? What does this tell us about God and His care over the details of our lives?
6. At one point Kyoko suggests that Shiloh date Shane Pendergrass just to take advantage of his money. Do you agree with her suggestion? How does Shiloh reply to her? Have you ever been tempted to do something you know isn’t the best choice in hopes that the ends will justify the means? List some consequences that could come from Shiloh deciding to follow Kyoko’s advice.
7. Throughout the book, Shiloh often comments that Adam isn’t handsome and isn’t “her type.” How important do you think these qualities are when choosing a good spouse? List some qualities that are essential when choosing a good spouse, and explain why each one is so important. Do you see these values reflected in most searches for love and romance around you? Why or why not?
8. Carlos calls Shiloh “stiff” when she refuses to let him stay at her house or go up to his hotel room with him. Do you think this is a fair assessment? Why do you think she makes these refusals, and were they good or bad choices? If Shiloh had given in, how might the book have ended differently?
9. When Shiloh is standing outside the hotel with Carlos, she mentions how “easy” it would have been to go back with him and to believe the things he says even knowing they’re lies. Have you ever been tempted to do this? Why do we sometimes willingly choose to believe a lie? If we give in to this temptation, what have we sacrificed, and what impact can it make on the course of our lives? What should we do in a similar situation? Does ignoring the truth make it become somehow not a reality?
10. When Shiloh meets Carlos, she’s on guard against the influence his dazzling good looks and charm hold over her. Have you ever noticed the “power” good looks carry in relationships, literature, movies, business, and even in society? Why do you think this is? And why do you think we crave a spouse with good looks? Do you think good looks always reflect good hearts? What importance does the Bible give good looks (see 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 3:3-5) and what does it tell us to focus on instead?
11. Beulah tells Shiloh that Satan would like to destroy her life and witness simply because she believes in Jesus, and not because she’s an important pastor and missionary. Do you believe this? In what ways could Satan be successful in ruining the life of a normal, everyday Christian, and what effect would it have on those around her? What steps does Beulah give to guard against this? What else could a person do to remain strong in the Lord even against Satan’s schemes?
12. Toward the end of the book, Adam and Shiloh each sacrifice something for the other. What do they give up, and what is the personal cost? Do you think they gained more by giving up than they would have otherwise? Why do you think love so often involves sacrifice?
13. In terms of a possible marriage partner, do you think Shiloh made the right choice when choosing Adam? What good qualities did he show, and why are they so important? In what areas did he seem to offer less than Carlos, and in what other areas did he offer more?
About the Author
Jennifer Rogers Spinola, Virginia/South Carolina native and graduate of Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, now lives in the capital city of Brasilia, Brazil, with her husband, Athos, and their son, Ethan. Jennifer and Athos met while she was serving as a missionary in Sapporo, Japan. When she’s not writing, Jennifer teaches English to ESL students in Brasilia. Find out more about Jenny at www.jenniferrogersspinola.com.
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