The Beautiful Thread by Penelope Wilcock
The love between Abbot John and Rose led me to think and ask questions. Is it wrong for people who give their life to God to fall in love with another person? Is it ever possible to have a close friendship without thoughts of passion? Is the emotion of love between two people simply too powerful for any of us to control? Should a person worry about how their friends will feel about their relationship?
After reading Brother John's experience, I feel it ever more important to be aware of God's Everlasting Forgiveness. Forgiveness of ourselves is important because as humans we tend to walk where angels fear to tread. Guilt must not become a weight. It can destroy us. Too much of anything is not good. Abbot John's feelings wear him down. His struggles are written about with empathy by the author. I still think of Rose.
Life is complicated. If we are not judged and have friends with open and loving hearts it is possible to grow and never stop loving God and ourselves no matter the circumstances. The novel is again about love and friendship and trials. I will gladly read another novel by Penelope Wilcock. Her heart is deep. kregel.com/fiction/the-beautiful-thread/
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