Up until recently I have been at a loss, not for words or inspiration for writing, but a reason for being. Sure, I became an article writer because after losing my job I had to find a way to make ends meet. And with my husband being an Internet Marketer and all, he swiftly introduced me to content article writing for web based businesses. But, after doing this for more than six months and not being able to make enough money to live beyond simply making ends meet my sister sent me a book that has made me take a step back and put my life, my objective and my relationships in perspective. “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young, a work of fiction so intricately woven with the love of God, the doubts, the faith, and the endless struggles we as humans have in our relationships. And I mean relationships literally, in plural, because throughout life we live through relationships, with our parents, our siblings, our significant other and eventually our heirs. Now, do not misunderstand me, I am not saying that the love for my husband has not been enough to inspire me to write and do many other things in life, IT HAS. But “The Shack” has arrived perhaps on purpose, perhaps as a sign from God, as an indication that I have to reconnect and reestablish my relationship with the Greater One. My Dios, then one I only know as I know him, and others know as they know him.
Just as recent as two weeks ago, I have been struggling with my purpose in life. Asking myself over and over again just why my husband and I have had so many obstacles to overcome. Just WHY, if we love each other and our families so greatly have we been unable to live life plentifully. Why in our ten years together, have we both lost our jobs almost simultaneously, more than once? Especially knowing that we were both among the best in our respective careers, mine as a TV Journalist, his as a Radio Jock and later an executive; and most importantly being certain that we each reached professional satisfaction and fulfillment without ever hurting anyone. Anyway, to make the long story short, I have a lot to thank my husband for, helping me through hard times; times in which my mom and I lost everything and were homeless, or my car was wrecked by a roommate who refused to acknowledge her guilt and still managed to charge me rent. Most importantly, I have to thank him for allowing me to see the light and become an article writer for hire, when I personally saw no future doing what I love, writing.
But again, the writer in me simply continues to write, without realizing that the main reason I opened up a new document today was to write about this book, “The Shack.” I have to admit, it took me a week or so to read it entirely. Not because it was long, but because I had to fulfill my duties as an article writer and attend to clients, help my Abuela around the house, and attend to the responsibilities of my relationship with my husband. The latter one, I learned through reading this book, I have been dealing with erroneously. “The Shack” reminded me of the relationship I had developed long ago with the Greater One, God to many, but my Dios. A relationship I slowly sent into obscurity over the years. I often wonder why, could it be because my husband simply does not believe in God? I have asked myself that over the years. But my love for my husband seemed to opaque the relationship I had with God. Needless to say, before meeting Jim I had already deviated myself and had falling into the disbelief, but never to great extent. Surprisingly, whenever I wrote in my personal journal he somehow managed to manifest himself, but I never noticed. Not until now.
“The Shack” is funny and sad, interesting and compelling, and ultimately enlightening. The article writer for hire had to take a step back, breath deeply and think of all the wonderful things that inspire my talent to write. When I started article writing, never in my right mind, would I have thought I would be writing this but “The Shack” has given me a new insight on life and what my relationships should be like. This book has helped me realize that all of the hurt, anger and deception that have accumulated in me over the years have kept me from fully experiencing the best relationship with my husband, my family and my Diosito. I have been, for a few weeks now, trying to convince my husband that maybe our situation might change if we reconnect with our faith. But he has been a non-believer for so long that I just could not get through to him. Ever since his father’s passing of cancer when he was a teenager, way back before I even knew him, he stopped believing entirely (although his relationship with God began to dissipate some time before.)
This article writer now has a new challenge, a new goal toward living plentifully, a new determination, to seek the very best way to live each day in anticipation of each moment with my husband, each communication with God, and everyday with life.
Thanks to “The Shack” I have rediscovered that expecting something from every relationship with family and friends leads to monotonous, boring and unrewarding times. I have understood that life is too short to live with regrets, with hate, with what “ifs”, or to be too cautious. The journalist in me was probably not letting me see clearly how to approach my relationship with God. Now I can happily say that the article writer for hire will face her biggest obstacle, one which will change my life for the better. I will walk in God’s company in order to bring my husband back to being a believer. It will be very difficult, especially after three decades in negation, but hey, I did not become a Journalist for nothing, facing challenges is my game… And I will play it with God at my side… Tah, Tah



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