I know, I know. Not the most riveting of topics.
But bear with me.
I go through seasons of loving reading and then having nowhere near enough hours in the day to find the time to read. But I went ahead and bought this gem on a whim from Amazon the other day when I was actually looking for another book. Redeeming Love just popped right up as a suggestion.
I've probably gotten more than ten recommendations to read Redeeming Love over the past eight years. And you probably already read it at one point around your senior year of high school. But trust me on this one, pick it up again.
I read this thing over a 36-hour span. All 462 pages. And when I read the very last page and set the book down, I spent about ten full minutes actually mad at myself for waiting so long to pick it up.
But around the eleventh minute, I realized it was exactly what I needed to read right now.
I would've loved this book at age 16. Or 18. Or even 21. But it was 24-year-old Kaylee that needed to read this. Married Kaylee.
This book is a Christian fiction. Which isn't my typical go-to. I usually like reading the life stories of real people, but by page 44, I was annoyed any time I had to put this thing down.
Ok here goes me trying to put the plot in like three paragraphs or less....
The storyline is based on the book of Hosea. Which is why you'll notice their likeness throughout the book.
In Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers details the life story of Angel. Angel is sold into prostitution at age 8, and by age 18 she's still living in a brothel. 10 years of being used by men has emptied her soul and she spends her days contemplating suicide, hating the very idea of God and dreaming of a day she can be free.
Then comes Michael. Good old Michael Hosea. A Christ-loving man who's prayed and prayed for a good woman to make his wife. The first time he sees Angel walking down the street, God whispers to him that she is the one. His beloved.
To summarize a very long story, Michael spends years trying to convince Angel she is worthy of not only his love, but the love of God.
Okay how'd I do? For those who have read the book, I realize I left the best stuff out. But I don't want to spoil it!
The whole dang thing is a beautiful metaphor for the way Christ loves the church. I mean this book really puts things into a fresh perspective. Michael loves Angel despite how much she hates and is ashamed of herself. Despite her past. Despite her disloyalty to him. Despite the way she forsakes him over and over and over. She breaks his heart time and time again, but he never stops praying for her. Or loving her. Or pointing her right back to Jesus—not only with his words, but with his actions. It. Is. Beautiful.
It also paints a sweet picture of a Christ-centered marriage. There were so many words I needed reminding of as a new wife. Its all good. Every last page.
This is a love story that transcends time. A true gem. It doesn't matter that it's set in the 1850's or was written in the 1990's—you will relate to Angel. And Michael. And their love.
So order it on Amazon now. Or you can borrow my copy. But trust me, you need to read this one.
I'll be back for a home reno update soon. So stick around.
