Thursday, August 13, 2009

The picture inside the picture


How to Draw a Picture (Part 9)
(Excerpt from Duma Key by Stephen King)

Look for the picture inside the picture. It's not always easy to see, but it's always there. And if you miss it, you can miss the world.

This is the ninth installment of my adventure into serious writing. It's still not something that I'm completely comfortable with. As a matter of fact, I could never imagine it was anything I would even consider. But to quote one of my favorite lines from the book this series is based upon,
"God always punishes us for the things we can't imagine."
And while the biblical implications of that statement are at odds with what I believe to be the Truth, still - it makes me pause.

When I started this silly little blog in April of 2008, it never dawned on me that I would be so inspired by so many talented, amazing people. Among those near the top of that list would be Jeanne Damoff.

I described Jeanne a couple of weeks ago in the following tweet: "Follow @jeannedamoff. She's like me, only classy."

Okay, so maybe she's not so much like me. She holds degrees in social work, sociology, English, and secondary education. Wife to George, mother to Jacob, Grace and Luke. From her bio: "Jeanne is a published writer, a professional choreographer, a musician, and a speaker. She loves to laugh and gives points to anyone who makes her laugh out loud. These points are very valuable. Everyone should strive to earn them, starting now." (Apparently, I have earned a few points along the road, because she has graciously agreed to guest post for me very soon.) As impressed as I was with her writing thus far, I was completely unprepared for the book she sent me.

When I read the quote from Duma Key that inspires these posts, I knew I had to share a bit of her story. So many of us often miss the picture inside the picture, but if we look for it, there is astounding beauty to be found. Jacob Damoff is a shining example of such beauty. Again, here's Jeanne in her own words:

In May 1996, the world ended. We traded “Happily Ever After” for brokenness and sorrow. My book, Parting the Waters: Finding Beauty in Brokenness , tells the story of Jacob’s drowning accident and our family’s subsequent journey through a valley of lost dreams and into a deeper understanding of God’s sovereignty. As our eyes adjusted to the shadows, the beauty of God’s plan came into focus. A pebble is dropped into a pond. Ripples are set in motion. Ever widening, they accomplish eternal purposes visible to those who choose to see.

I literally have a stack of books four feet high that are waiting patiently to be read. But once I picked up Jeanne's book, I could not put it down. If you've ever struggled to understand why bad things happen to good people and can't seem to find the silver lining in the clouds of life, I would highly recommend this book.

And you know I know a good book when I read one, right?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post! I too have a stack of books to read but this sounds like one I need to move to the top of the list.

Candy said...

Definitely need to add this to my stack - and what do I do with the 1000+ unread posts in Google Reader? Ugh. I'm liking books better these days...but notice I came here today?

Sherri Murphy said...

Sounds like a wonderful book, by one great lady!

Reminds me of one of my favorite books, SPOTTING THE SACRED, which is along the same lines as far as NOTICING God in ordinary situations.

Billy Coffey said...

Parting the Waters is without a doubt one of the finest books I've ever read, and Jeanne's one of the finest women I've ever had the pleasure to know. Her faith and joy amazes me.

Beth said...

Wow, sounds powerful. I wish I had a bigger book budget or a bigger library (someone's gotta plug the library while Helen's away...)! But hopefully I'll get to check it out soon.

Annie K said...

Thanks for sharing that Katdish. I know there are A LOT of people out there who could use that book. Maybe I'll buy a truck load of them and hand them out when I make my trek across the states...

Jeanne Damoff said...

Thank you so very much, dear Katdish, for your kind, extravagant words. You're as thoughtful as you are hilarious. (You've earned more than a few points, by the way.) Not only have you given my book a lovely recommendation, you've given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, where else could I hope to share tag space with Stephen King? ;)

Thanks, Billy, for adding such a generous "Amen." And everyone else, too, for your enthusiastic response. I'm honored.

Love, Jeanne

~Mary said...

Jeanne is about as real as it gets. I've read and reviewed her book and have emailed back and forth a few times. She's inspiration, classy and very real. This is a must read.

jasonS said...

Wow! That is absolutely fantastic. It's been fun talking to Jeanne on twitter, now I have to go check out this book- sounds amazing. I love hearing people's stories, especially testimonies of when God shows up in the middle of it all.

Joanne Sher said...

This book sounds FANTASTIC. Wow. And what a great post, Kat.

Bradley J. Moore said...

KD - I just took your advice and followed Jeanne Damoff on Twitter. Sounds like a fantastic writer with a gut-wrenching story of faith and hope.

I too have a stack of books. Yet I somehow end up reading all of them at the same time- a little here, a little there.

Peter P said...

I have no idea how to respond as my brain is fried but I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed this post!

Thanks for a great review.

FaithBarista Bonnie said...

Wow. Can't NOT get this book now. I feel sorry for the other books that are sitting in queue, though, when they see this one jump to the top.

Tony C said...

You have a knack for writing about an area I always seem to have a need.

I was looking for a good book to read. Thank you very kindly!

God is so great...