Of all my faults, jealousy has never been a biggie. I'm genuinely happy to see other writers publish fine books that inspire and encourage.
But recently, I have to admit that my heart has turned just a bit green with envy. Shauna Niequist has released her second book, Bittersweet, from Zondervan, and it's wonderful.
The notion of bittersweetness, as Niequist says, is "the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a sliver of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak."
Such truth in that statement, and it's so beautifully expressed. Sigh. Even while I celebrate her wonderful book, I look at my own books and long to write even more deeply, more beautifully.
But enough about envy, that useless emotion. If you're looking for a book about finding God and grace even in the midst of sorrow and loss, Bittersweet will lift your spirits, and I highly recommend it.
Niequist writes of the disappointments she's faced in her young life; lost jobs; a beloved grandmother's death; and her miscarriages, lacing each essay in her book with evocative, sensory details, like her description of the peppery bite of arugula salad garnished with sweet blueberries. Her book is honest and open, and behind each event that she faces, the reader feels that Niequist keeps turning to God to restore and renew her faith.
My only criticism is the sense that Niequist lives a more priviledged life than many readers, as she discusses her trips and vacations, dinner parties, supportive family and friends, and yoga classes. Too much of this can be a roadblock, especially for older readers who have lost life-long jobs or even homes, to foreclosure, in today's economy. I see it over and over again at my church, and in the passers-by who come to our church doors asking for assistance or just a place to stay overnight. Today, many people lack the kinds of resources and helps that Niequist can turn to.
But Niequist reminds us that we do have God, and our faith, and like her, we can learn to reveal in life's bittersweet moments, celebrating the good things, and grateful for the grace from above that covers the rest.
