A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin

I first discovered The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry when I noticed it was the subject of the cover story in a publication at my local library.  Before looking too carefully at the description, I was convinced it was going to be a memoir (which is ironic since. . .oh, you'll just have to read the book!). Upon realizing it was fiction, I wasn't sure it would be the kind of book I might enjoy, but the information given in the article made it sound interesting, so I figured I'd give it a go.

I finished it last weekend, and I loved it!  Although it's two hundred and fifty-some pages, it's a pretty quick read.  A bookstore owner, one A.J. Fikry, who lost his wife in recent years, is struggling to find a reason to care about anything in his life, when a new sales rep for Knightley Press shows up at his store.  Life takes some unexpected turns from that point forward.  Along the way, a book is stolen, an unexpected guest arrives, and a somewhat successful author event occurs, among other things. Being an analytical person, I appreciated how every little detail and event played a part in the story and resurfaced later.  As a whole, the novel is a beautifully crafted tail of love and friendship.  I highly recommend it. Happy reading!

Delivered into Life

If God Himself Be for Me (LSB 724, st. 4)

He canceled my offenses,
   Delivered me from death;
He is the Lord who cleanses
   My soul from sin through faith.
In Him I can be cheerful,
   Courageous on my way;
In Him I am not fearful
   Of God's great Judgment Day.

We are in darkness, an eternal darkness that we have no hope of escaping from.  And yet Saint Paul writes that "He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13–14).  Paul continues "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.  This he set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Col. 2:13–14).  We then, are delivered from death and cleansed from sin because of what Christ did on the cross!  He who had no sin, became sin for us, and by His death and resurrection we are made alive again.  Saint Peter proclaims:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3–5).  So, because of the hope we have in Christ, we do not have to be fearful of God's Judgment Day.  Thanks be to God!

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Sources:

Lutheran Service Book (CPH, 2006)

The Lutheran Study Bible (CPH, 2009)