This is a winning inspirational story just perfect for football season- or any season for that matter. It also highlights the difficulties of the foster care systems.
Between Sundays
by
Karen Kingsbury
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Zondervan (June 1, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0310286786
- ASIN: B002SB8NRG
Genre: Christian Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Description: Football season becomes a time of realization that life’s most important victories are won off the field. A star quarterback with much to learn, a younger player with much to give, and a woman with a heart for underprivileged kids - thrown together into a time of self-discovery and a new awareness of the things that matter most.
Review: This is a truly lovely story.
Cody is a 9 year old boy who is convinced that the San Francisco 49er Football star quarterback, Aaron, is his father. Megan serves as his foster mom and wants to adopt him, but she has to convince him first that there is no father to give consent. Megan works three jobsyet still finds time to help with the foster children, counseling several and helping at Friday night pizza dinners.
Cody is excited about the Friday night event because the 49ers back-up quarterback, a well respected veteran player, Derrick, is giving his time to talk to the children and also awarding tickets to the games. Although Cody would love to see a game he is especially excited because he is giving Derrick a special letter to take to Aaron.
Aaron is forced to go to one of the Friday night events as a PR clean-up. He really doesn’t want to be there until he spots Megan across the room. Then he wants to find a way to meet her and be with her. Megan is completely unimpressed by the arrogant man, especially when she knows he hasn’t read Cody’s letter.
Derrick is a strong Christian, trusting in God to give him a winning season to help keep a special promise. Derrick, as a loving husband with a great family and a strong faith serves as a clear contrast to Aaron’s playboy life style. The mature Derrick is with the team partially to help guide Aaron in learning to make the most of his leadership role. Derrick not only is willing to share his faith with Aaron but he does more than talk about it; he lives it. Although football has been a great career for Derrick, he recognizes that the most important thing is how he lives his life “between Sundays.”
Aaron begins to see how shallow his own life is. He doesn’t see how he can overcome his past so that he would be deserving of a beautiful girl like Megan. Megan is convinced Aaron isn’t really interested in her and, besides, they are from two different life styles and could never fit together. What about Cody? Why won’t he stop insisting that Aaron is his father?
The message of salvation is presented clearly without being overly preachy. How Aaron comes to terms with his past sins and faces the future is nicely done. The author is able to convey from the actions of the characters the difference that faith makes in our attitudes and our lives and how that difference can be seen by others around us.
This story moves quickly. It is uplifting and refreshing but best of all it gives a good reminder that, although worshiping on Sunday with fellow believers is good, it is most important how we live or daily lives between Sundays.
I got a very good price purchasing this book (hardback) for our Ladie's bookclub. I ended up with two extra books so I am pleased to give them away to interested readers!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Visit the
author's website and tell me something you learned there. One Entry.
Please leave your e-mail!
2. Tell me if you do some service in your community to help others. Three Entries.
3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
(Seven total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on October 29, 2010. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries. TWO WINNERS!
by Karen Kingsbury
