Bitch is the New Black

This term is used so loosely these days. Everything seems to be the new black but could being a bitch really be the new black? I think not but the title caught my eye and it really did give me a good laugh.

I've had my bitchy days and I actually unleashed some bitch on someone last night (who may or may not have deserved it - depending on which side of the situation you are on) but I don't take pride in being a bitch. I had some angrier times in my life in which I would just be a bitch to be a bitch. Not Cool. I had to check that and luckily I've moved past that stage which was marked by High School graduation and now I save up my inner bitch for when it's needed most. I feel like being a bitch is like owning a weapon. You know that it's dangerous but we often need it to protect ourselves. It's when we use it on individuals who are unarmed that's the problem.

Moving past my bitch rant, a girlfriend of mine sent me an invitation to a ladies event that would be hosted by Helena Andrews (although she wasn't able to show up because she was being interviewed by CNN as the child of a lesbian parent). I'm such a info whore in that if I'm going to do something, I typically like to read all about it so on my way home from work that day I stopped at Borders, handed them my 25% off coupon and cuddled to Ms. Andrews books so I'd be ready if we happened to see her. I was shocked that the first chapter was so me. I thought this heifer had been spying on my life here in the District - The audacity!!

The Shack

A sorority sister of mine was reading The Shack by WM. Paul Young and she raved about how good this book was. So out of curiosity I stopped by a book store and asked a clerk to help me find a copy. To my surprise, this book was a NY Times Bestseller and he said that he could barely keep it in stock in the store. Where have I been?!? Several of my friends and co-workers have already read through the book and all had different views on how the book made them feel. Some inspired, some saddened. All I knew is that there was one last copy so I had to purchase it and I started reading.

The Shack is categorized as a Christian Fiction (although it states in the Foreword that it is based upon a true story). And honestly, this book has moved me in a way that I really cannot express. It's a very simple depiction of a man who has lost a child and blames God for the undeserving death of his innocent daughter. After the child's kidnapping and her assumed murder, I stopped reading for a while (the past three months actually). I started reading this book in July back during my travels for work and I zoomed through 3 other books but once I reached the point of the child's death, this one was entirely too heavy on my heart and I had to put it down. I couldn't imagine losing a family member let alone my child and a young child at that.

In the past year, my previous supervisor's daughter passed in a fire and my Cousin's daughter passed after being hit by a car. My old supervisor has always turned away from anything religious and when her daughter passed she went into a deep depression similar to the main character's (Mack) Great Sadness.

. I spoke with her yesterday about the activities of my former work group and she indicated that she wouldn't know. After her daughter's passing, she hasn't been the same. I told her that she may be interested in this book but once I disclosed that is was a Christian Fiction, she immediately declined. I will continue to pray that she re-turns to the Lord and that He helps her through losing her only child.

My cousin's daughter was hit by a car not even 3 months ago and the entire Michigan branch of my family has been in mourning ever since. My mother told me that someone stated that there couldn't have been a God being that such an innocent child was taken away. The hurt and pain has temporarily turned them away from God also similar to the main character. I know that their words and hearts are overcome by their loss but I have faith that the Lord will heal my family's broken hearts.

Fortunately for Mack, his struggle, anger, and pain, is overcome during a trip to the Shack in which his daughter was murdered. God shows themselves (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) to Mack and allows him to re-TURN to God after he realizes the perfect will of God. This is a MUST read.

www.theshackbook.com

Kisses!