May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Proverbs 3:3-6
The word tablet
has a very different meaning today.
It's interesting how, through the years, the definition of words has changed. When I was a child, I rested on a blanket in the yard and watched the clouds float past. Now I save my stories, devotions, and book reviews to an invisible cloud I can access from my computer or phone. In college I listened to my professor drone on and on, now a drone flies in the sky (with those clouds I mentioned earlier) and snaps photos. The birds in my trees tweet in the morning, so do my friends on Twitter. The tablet I mentioned is an electronic device I use to connect with social media. Wow!
In the Old Testament, people often wrote the words from
scripture on a small scroll, tucked it into a tiny box, and tied the box to
their heads, arms, or necks. That way, they could remember God's intervention
at the time of Exodus, and his promises to them.
I scribbled Proverbs 3:5-6 on the tablet of my heart years
ago. Trust in the Lord. In this world with its sorrow, blessings, sadness, and joys,
what else could I do? For the one thing that never changes are the promises and
love of God. He calls me to trust him no matter the circumstances. He asks me
to seek him, whether through scripture, prayer, or the new Bible app my
daughter showed me.
I may still watch the clouds and listen to the bird's tweet.
But I can also use the new tools God gives me to seek him and glorify him.
What have you written on your heart?
Book Description:
Restless with the familiarity of her Alabama home, Ellie Fields accepts a
teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country. Though rightfully
suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their
culture, most of the people in tiny Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate
the young and idealistic schoolteacher as a boon to the town. She's soon
teaching just about everyone--and coming up against opposition from both the
school board and a politician with ulterior motives.
Acclimating to a whole new world, Ellie meets a lonely but intriguing Cajun
fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator that
haunts these waters. Raphe and Ellie have barely found their way to each other
when a huge bounty is offered for the elusive gator, bringing about a shocking
turn of events that will test their love and their will to right a terrible
wrong.
A master of the Southern novel, Valerie Fraser Luesse invites you to enter the
sultry swamps of Louisiana in a story that illuminates the struggle for the
heart and soul of the bayou.
My Thoughts:
The bayou of Louisiana is different from any place I've ever traveled. Valerie
Fraser Luesse paints a picture from the cypress trees with the Spanish moss draped
on limbs to the alligator eyes watching folks glide along in their boats. Under
the Bayou Moon is the story of Ellie and Raphe and their fight to help the
people of Bernadette. While a beautiful love story takes place, the book is
really about the people who live a different life style in a unique part of the
world. I enjoyed learning about the area
and getting to know the people. Though fiction, the story felt real. This may
not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you choose to read Under the Bayou Moon,
be prepared to spend time in a place that feels like another world. I received
a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are
completely my own.
Book Description:
A brave fight for literacy during the Great Depression
My Thoughts:
I enjoy reading about the women who carried books into the mountains to help
their communities. They traversed rough terrain, sometimes on a horse, others
on a mule. These four stories give us a snapshot of what they went through
while entertaining us with a romantic tale. I enjoyed the stories set in the Appalachian
Mountains so much. The story set in Mississippi made me shiver when Lily Bee
goes into the swamplands to deliver books. All four stories feature a strong
female character who is determined to help with the literacy of her community.
I particularly liked The Lawman and the Librarian. Lottie and Clayton have
a certain chemistry that made me want to read more. If you enjoy historical
romance and stories of brave women, you'll enjoy The Librarian's Journey.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review
are completely my own.
