I've been wanting to share about this book, which I read during my last holidays back in Malaysia, entitled "Entrusting the Key" by Ali Smith, which I bought in Glad Sounds Bookstore, Ipoh Parade, Ipoh. This book is about the author's journey: 'From serial dating to joyful waiting.' :) Here's the book (or part of the book, and part of me..)
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Me holding the book, 'Entrusting the Key' by Ali Smith |
With the title so, I think you can guess what the book is about? Yup, waiting singles. Hehe.. But, this is no ordinary book or writings about singles and the common 'what it's like' or 'what to do' and all that.. Let me tell you what it's about and what I like about it:
It's about the author's (Ali Smith, an American broadcast journalist, now living in Singapore) life journey as she go through her twenties being away from her homeland, and single. She shares her life story meeting people, meeting potential partners, facing the pressures of being single.
What I like the most about this book is the personal touch the author poured in it. She didn't just narrate her story like a storybook, but also put in her personal journal excerpts and reflection. Most or almost all of the excerpts are her prayers to God about what she's struggling with. And I can see that those prayers are true, honest and they came from the very bottom of her heart. How do I know they're true? Cos I say them too.
I could really relate to her story, and I kept comparing it to mine as I read. Her being away from her homeland, meeting new people, having new friends, deep down longing to meet a man who loves God and so on... and feeling the pressure, as friends and even family members taking the next step in life, tying the knot and saying 'I do'.
Waiting can be quite tiring, energy-draining, and at times you'll just feel like giving up and settle for whatever that's in front of you (which, most of the times isn't the best decision). But in this book, just like it's description 'From serial dating to joyful waiting', the author shows you (or me) how waiting can be joyful as she surrenders all her struggles to God. And in the end, it draws her closer to God.
Maybe most people would want a happy ending about how the author finally found her true love....but this book's ending is different. She's still waiting. And THAT, just concludes that 'Life is not about getting what you want at the time you planned it to be, but it's about building a close Father-daughter, bestfriends -like personal relationship with God. Trusting God. Entrusting the Key to our hearts (which is filled with all our desires) to the all-knowing, all-powerful, almighty God.
It's not going to be easy to wait. There are times when you're tempted to do things you know you shouldn't. But if you're struggling through the wait, just do it like Ali Smith did: Commit everything to Him. Tell Him all about it. Be honest and just tell Him everything, cos He knows what's on your mind and heart, even before you tell Him. Develop that personal relationship. Put aside that 'I feel crazy talking to myself' and just talk like God is right there next to you.
Well that's all this time. Read the book, buy the book, or borrow from me. :)