I didn’t expect much from this little book (92 pages and written in 1988) when I took it off the shelf. I intended to discard it from the library shelves. But something inside caught my eye, so I brought it home.
I should say here that I am struggling right now with my husband’s diagnosis—unexpected and while we were both aging, but still healthy. This book was such a help; it seemed to be written just for me. Here are some of my notes:
She’s a Christian counselor and the book is from 1988. But this:
“A safety zone is something into which we retreat temporarily from the stress of life. Safety zones can be simple, like a hot cup of tea on a chilly afternoon or the solitude of one’s own place after a day in the crowds of the city. A book, a favorite restaurant, a drive in the country, a faithful dog: these are just a few of the many safety zones which all of us have and use whether, we realize it or not.
They buffer us from the harshness of life; they absorb some of the pain of change.”
I realized that I am using afternoon naps as a safety zone.
She also talks about using the words of scripture as our positive reinforcement. Our attitudes are everything.
And then, there’s this:
“Sometimes God gives us a special chance to reevaluate our lives, to prepare for eternity – not only in the sense of eternal destiny, but also in light of our eternal reward…
In God‘s timetable, the specific meaning of any one person’s life is not measured in years, or in public show more acclaim, or in a large bank account. The meaning of life is determined by how much we have lived in the center of God’s will for our lives.”
Our days are numbered according to God’s timetable and when we have finished what we were to accomplish, he will bring us home no matter our age. show less
I should say here that I am struggling right now with my husband’s diagnosis—unexpected and while we were both aging, but still healthy. This book was such a help; it seemed to be written just for me. Here are some of my notes:
She’s a Christian counselor and the book is from 1988. But this:
“A safety zone is something into which we retreat temporarily from the stress of life. Safety zones can be simple, like a hot cup of tea on a chilly afternoon or the solitude of one’s own place after a day in the crowds of the city. A book, a favorite restaurant, a drive in the country, a faithful dog: these are just a few of the many safety zones which all of us have and use whether, we realize it or not.
They buffer us from the harshness of life; they absorb some of the pain of change.”
I realized that I am using afternoon naps as a safety zone.
She also talks about using the words of scripture as our positive reinforcement. Our attitudes are everything.
And then, there’s this:
“Sometimes God gives us a special chance to reevaluate our lives, to prepare for eternity – not only in the sense of eternal destiny, but also in light of our eternal reward…
In God‘s timetable, the specific meaning of any one person’s life is not measured in years, or in public show more acclaim, or in a large bank account. The meaning of life is determined by how much we have lived in the center of God’s will for our lives.”
Our days are numbered according to God’s timetable and when we have finished what we were to accomplish, he will bring us home no matter our age. show less
This is an easy-to-read, short-chaptered book on joy—why it is so elusive for us, and why (and how) we can trust Jesus to help us live the life of joy and peace we were meant to live.
Hansen’s writing is quirky and filled with humor and fun — it’s easy to smile while reading. But scratch the surface and there is deep theology told in story form.
If you are struggling with something hard right now, I highly recommend this book.
Hansen’s writing is quirky and filled with humor and fun — it’s easy to smile while reading. But scratch the surface and there is deep theology told in story form.
If you are struggling with something hard right now, I highly recommend this book.