by Anna Schmidt
Where to begin?
I have no idea, and I so don’t want to look back on this and find it filled with silliness. I know! I’ll take a Bible passage, the one from church that Sunday and write about that and how it fits what’s happening in my life all that week.
Last week the pastor preached about the Sermon on the Mount—a favorite of mine. I just love the way the words flow, like they have comfort and the promise of better days ahead just pouring out of every syllable.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “I guess that “poor in spirit” means when someone is sad.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Pastor says that we can mourn many things—not just the death of a loved one but any kind of loss—the loss of a friend or a favorite book or an opportunity to do good.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Well, not really sure I want this earth, but I am meek, so maybe it’s all part of God’s plan for me.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” That’s more me, I think—and our good friend Hester and her husband, John—those two are always hungering after some new way to make things right for others.
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Is mercy the same as forgiveness? I’ll have to ask about that. It seems like that might be right—like tonight when I could see that Aunt Emma was really upset with Mom for taking Sadie to get her permit, and yet she forgave her. Was that mercy?
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” That’s my all-time favorite!
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Close second!
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I really hope that one day I’ll be brave enough to stand up for others—or for my beliefs—purely because that is the right thing to do.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
I think this is maybe the biggest reason that I’m glad we’re Mennonite. Pretty much everybody in our faith stays away from the blame shame game. We take care of each other like a ginormous family, and even when we get mad at each other, we always find our way back—like sheep coming into the fold in the darkness.
And speaking of darkness, it is so late and I am so tired and tomorrow is going to be so special. It’s starting to rain—good sleeping weather, my dad always says.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How does Emma’s forgiveness of Jeannie for her impulsive act in the beginning of the book set things in motion?
How many instances where characters sought forgiveness throughout the story can you name, and in how many instances was forgiveness granted?
How did Geoff’s past influence his ability to forgive Sadie?
How did the fact that Jeannie and Geoff were already having some problems in their marriage before the accident influence how they handled their grief?
What role did blame play in the story?
What role did trust—or lack of trust—play?
Given the title of the book, in what ways did Emma forgive Jeannie? And vice versa?
The story is told from all major characters’ points of view—take them one by one and discuss how each was impacted by Tessa’s death and how each of them changed.
The Mennonite faith is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament. What lessons did Jesus teach his followers about love, forgiveness, and reconciliation?
How did the characters in this story apply those teachings (or not)?
In your own life (or the lives of those close to you) has there ever been something that threatened to tear your family apart? If so, how was that resolved? If not, how do you think you and your family might weather a situation such as the one the characters in this book had to face?
Think about all the ways characters in this story sought comfort. Talk about those that worked—and those that did not.
In her journal, Tessa wonders if mercy is the same as forgiveness. What do you think?
ANNA SCHMIDT is the author of more than twenty works of fiction. Among her many honors, Anna is the recipient of the Romantic Times’ Reviewer’s Choice Award and a finalist for the RITA award for romantic fiction. She enjoys gardening and collecting seashells at her winter home in Florida. To contact Anna, visit her website at www.booksbyanna.com.
Come back to Pinecraft in November 2012
for the conclusion of
The Women of Pinecraft
and Rachel’s story of
A Mother’s Promise