Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Saturday Morning by Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling brings us a novel that will strengthen the reader's faith  in God and in each other.  Using four diverse women each facing a life crisis they are brought together to support each other with friendship and prayer.

Hope Benson is determined to do all she can for the broken souls who come to Casa de Jesus, a women's shelter in the heart of San Francisco.  When a difficult pregnancy forces her to relinquish control, she draws support and strength from an unlikely group of women, each struggling with her own heartbreak.

Andy Taylor , a reluctant transplant to California, was compelled to leave behind her lavender-growing business and her home of twenty-some years to support her workaholic husband's pursuit of career success.  Attorney Julia Collins is searching for her teenage granddaughter, believed to be living on the streets.  And Clarice Van Dam's life has been shattered by the disappearance of her husband, who relieved her of all her earthly possessions except a fur coat and an overnight bag.

Drawn together at the weekend market held in the shelter's parking lot, the women pool their resources to fend off an unscrupulous conglomerate that threatens to replace the facility with a commercial development.  As they fight to retain this haven for women in need, they find their own longings for home answered by the solace of faith and friendship.

This is a highly recommended inspirational novel who's overall stories emphasize the power of prayer and friendship to change lives.

Some questions to ponder

What spoke to you as you read this novel?

Is there a character you identify with more than the others?  Why?  How did the character affect you?

Is there a lesson here you can apply to your own life?  Would you like to share this with the others in the group?

What characteristics of God are demonstrated in the novel?  Did any speak to you specifically?

What did you learn about prayer as you read the story?  How has the novel affected your prayer life?

Please post a comment or two.  Let's get some dialogue going.