Francine Rivers, the author who changed my life

As a mother of 4 relatively young children, reading is not something I get to do a lot of. I have a lot to do, and not much time to just sit and read. I am what some people call a "visual" reader. I have to see the book in my head as I read it. Kind of like a movie. It helps me keep up with what I am reading. It may sounds stupid but it works for me. I was really getting frustrated with books and reading. Even reading the bible was a struggle for me. I kept getting distracted and my mind would wander. I wasn't learning anything. Some people I asked about it would tell me "well, you are too easily distracted" or "it shouldn't be this hard" or, the hardest one "You aren't seeking God". I really got worried. I was seeking God in any way I could but reading books by Joyce Meyer (wonderful author) and John Bevere (also excellent author) were really a struggle for me. It really began to bug me. I wanted to read books that would help me seek God in the way I needed to but also be written in a way that I can keep up with it. Then a friend introduced me to Francine Rivers.

I was going through a really hard time a couple of years ago when my friend, Mary, brought this book to me. It is called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. I looked at it and kind of felt skeptical. How is this going to be any different than the other books I have read? Mary told me that is was Christian fiction. It was worth the read. so, reluctantly, I took the book home and started to read it that night.

I didn't put it down for 2 days. I finished it within 48 hours. This author had found a way to write exactly what I needed to hear in a way that I had no trouble comprehending it.It isthestory of Hosea from the old testament but it takes place in the gold rush of California. As you go through this book, the young woman in it, who had been hurt so much in her life, kept running from who loved her the most, the farmer. She just kept running away from him. Finally, he just had to let her go so she could find her own way back. They amazing part of this book is not that it is a love story, but it also shows us God's unconditional love How many times do we run away from God when things get hard? He is always there when we return. This book opened my eyes to God's unconditional love. I was hooked!

I began reading whatever Francine Rivers books I could get my hands on. She mostly writes love stories in the christian fiction genre. Each one leaves you contemplating those same scenarios in your own life. I finally found a way to seek God through reading and learn what he needs me to learn.

the latest books I have read were books 1 and 2 of the Mark of the Lion series. It is a 3 book series about the characters Julia, Marcus, Hadassah, and Aretes. It is centered in Rome about 40 years after the Crucifixion. It is a amazing story that shows you how important it is not to hide your faith from others. I wish I had the faith the young woman in this story had. It is just an amazing story. I highly recommend these and all her books for anyone who like me who has trouble being able to read those other books. I am looking forward to book number 3!

I find it so amazing how God can show you ways to seek him. He knew my struggles and used a friend to bring me to an author who can write to stir my soul. I am so grateful to my friend, Mary, for introducing me to this wonderful author. And, of course, Thank you, Francine Rivers, for being faithful and writing such amazing stories!