Love & Kindness

Legacy Of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a delightful Christian historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Waves Of Mercy series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the late nineteenth century America and the chapters alternate between a grandmother and her granddaughter. They are similar but different. The grandmother lives simply in a small country town. The granddaughter lives in a lavish town house with servants, in a sprawling city. Ironically there is far more freedom in the small town where characters can be themselves. There is no show to impress the neighbours.

Both characters love deeply. They have a heart for others and a desire to serve Jesus wherever He leads them. “Other Christians are the only hands and feet Jesus has.” We need to show the world Jesus, by our actions and by the way we live and love.

There are characters who have been hurt and are trying to outrun their past. “God hears you weeping…He longs to comfort you and the only arms He has are mine.” God sees our pain, and He uses others to help to heal us and to show us love.

A character feels useless. “My days feel so meaningless that I can’t help wondering what God’s purpose is for my life.” While we are still breathing, God has a plan for our lives. “God sees the long-range picture.” We see but a small part. God places us where He thinks we will bloom. “God can use even our greatest failures for His glory.” God takes our mess and transforms it into a masterpiece.

We meet characters who are all about wealth and power. They think showy, extravagant gestures show love – but not when they squash the desires of others. “It’s a showpiece … not a home.” A home is a home when it is filled with love not stuff, and certainly should not be celebrated when it is at the misfortune of others.

Prayer is important. “I… pray for her and entrust her into God’s care instead of worrying.” We are told in the New Testament to pray about everything and to worry about nothing. “Prayer doesn’t come with guarantees… praying will bring us closer to Him.” Sometimes people expect prayers to be answered their way but God answers prayers in His way and in His timing.

God longs for us to be real with Him. “It’s ok to be honest with God and let Him know when I am angry… He is always faithful.” He can take our emotions. What He doesn’t want, is our silence.

We all have doubts. Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Doubt goes hand in hand with faith. “Our faith allows us to bring our doubts to God and ask all those hard questions… Why?… Where were You?… How could You let this happen?” We were never promised an easy, problem free life, quite the opposite but God did promise to never leave us nor forsake us.

Legacy Of Mercy was a delightful read showing the heart of God through the use of His children. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received a free copy. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON