“Mum, if you’re ever being attacked (!!!) you should shout, ‘Fire!’ because people will actually take notice and do something.” Hmm, wise words from my city-slicker daughter… and she’s absolutely right—sometimes we presume there’s a “domestic” or a nasty argument happening in a kerfuffle, but if we hear “fire” we instinctively take action! Fire can be a source of survival or a living nightmare. Today we’re talking fire and All the Pretty Things and a giveaway with a book you will not be able to put down—unless someone actually shouts, “Fire!”…
Ever had a fire? I’ve experienced two in my lifetime. The first was back in the UK when Lyndon and I had been married for just a year— we were away for the weekend and came back to our charred apartment after some iffy electrical issues started a spark. The smoke damage was unreal, and all our shiny new wedding gifts—”all the pretty things”— were virtually toast (a huge shout-out to my mom who performed a fur graft on my favourite teddy bear!) Fires are unexpected and unsettling, to say the least.
The second was in here in Kelowna in 2003, when our city experienced the worst wildfire imaginable. It was scary watching the flames devour the mountain like some kind of deranged volcano—239 families lost their homes, many with their entire worldly goods. We were merely evacuated from our home for 5 days and that was traumatic enough. It’s sobering, and certainly makes you ponder where your treasure truly is. A fire will force a person to stop regular life and take stock. Many have had horrific encounters with fire, and I in no way want to minimize that—it’s terrifying. But as one who is easily consumed by “all the pretty things”—a fire is a poignant reminder that I need to be consumed by the love of God.
We need to be refined. It’s an ongoing process, to be made more aware of our “impurities” and take action to be more like Christ. John Piper says, “A refiner’s fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact.” God is our refiner’s fire.
None of us would choose to suffer and go through the fire, whatever that may look like. Yet in it and through it we are caused to look beyond ourselves, to trust in One who is in complete control when we realize we are not.
Lots to chew on, right? This book I want to tell you about starts and ends with the author surviving two separate fires—here is my rather enthusiastic review:
“I have just come off the emotional roller coaster that is All the Pretty Things, and I am in awe of so much, I hardly know where to land! This memoir will break your heart, have you cheering, make you gasp and leave you wrecked—yet so full of hope. Edie Wadsworth shares her story and her heart in the most beautiful, honest, and encouraging way as she navigates us through unimaginable trials on her faith journey. Determination, redemption, grace, and strength—this is a phenomenal book and most definitely worth reading!”
Yeah, I really liked it.
If you want to pick up a copy, here’s my Amazon affiliate link (full disclosure here) which means I get a tiny commission while you pay the regular price for All the Pretty Things KINDLE or PAPERBACK. Enjoy!
Here’s the exciting news, friends—you can win a copy of All the Pretty Things in my fall giveaway… bundled with a copy of my middle grade novel The Candle Maker just in time for the Christmas season! Plus, of course, you get a copy of my FREE e-book Diamond Devos 31 just for signing up. 🙂
If you’re not already a subscriber to my quarterly newsletter “Laura’s Letters”, here’s your chance to grab the goodies. (Subscribers are automatically entered.) The newsletter goes out on November 1, so if you’re anything like me, you should do it right now before you forget…
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Thanks so much. Whether you are going through the fire right now or enjoying the blessings of the pretty things in life, I pray that you will trust and find rest in the unchanging, purifying love of God…
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers. Check them out:
Love the quote from John Piper! It’s one of my faves of his. Sorry you have experienced two literal fires in your life. But thankful you came away unscathed! 🙂
Piper certainly has some gems! I’m thankful, too—and really I learned so much through both fires, they were some of those “life experiences” you know you need. (Even if it didn’t seem so great at the time… ?) Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great post Laura! I’m another Canadian author and so glad to connect with you through the #FreshMarketFridays Linkup. so glad you commented on my post. That led me to yours. I’m going to message you about #WIMMCanada a group I’d love you to be a part of <3 Have a blessed weekend!
Hi Sherry—thanks so much for stopping by!I’m glad I found you, too 🙂 I’ll be sure to reply to your email and look forward to chatting soon. Love finding other Canadian authors out there. Blessings to you!
Fire is such a powerful image exactly because of experiences like the ones you describe. I was just studying in James last night, where he describes the tongue as being the spark that can set off a great fire and bring destruction. Yet, we also know fire refines metals, as you mentioned. So many beautiful pictures to help us understand the Word of God!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Ivanna! Yes, so very true… and the tongue certainly has potential to build up or tear down. Fire is always such a powerful image! Have a wonderful day—blessings to you 🙂
Laura, I can’t even imagine one fire, let alone two. But I do identify as we all do of those situations which stop us in our tracks and force us to take stock. Within one year, my husband was in trauma unit for a week with a motorcycle accident and then again with a heart attack, and that is just the beginning of a two year span which God used to refine us. Loved this Laura!
Oh Crystal, you were certainly forced to stop and listen! So sorry you all had to go through this, but it sounds like you can look back now and know that God was working in amazing ways. Hope your hubby is doing well now. Thanks so much for sharing—always so good to hear from you— Blessings! 🙂
All the Pretty Things sounds like a wonderful book. Thankfully I’ve never been in a literal fire, but we’ve all been through spiritual fires! Grateful for the purifying love of God through it all. Thanks, Laura.
Hi Lisa, oh I thoroughly recommend All the Pretty Things—such a compelling read! And yes, those spiritual fires can certainly burn, but they serve their purpose in refining us, too. Thanks so much for stopping by… blessings to you! 🙂
“the fire, whatever that may look like. Yet in it and through it we are caused to look beyond ourselves, to trust in One who is in complete control when we realize we are not.” So true. Looking beyond ourselves is a good thing, and finding Him in the process is the best!
The Lord has been allowing certain situations in my life in the past several months to remind me that it’s not mine to control and that I am to surrender it all to Him. Sometimes it’s a real struggle. I’m thankful for the breaks He gives me between field trips so I can process all that He is trying to teach me.
Ah yes, surrender can be SUCH a struggle. Looking onward and upward… easier said than done! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing— blessings to you 🙂
Wow, Laura! I love that version of 1 Peter. Sometimes The Message just says it so well and in a way that makes me look at it unlike before! I have heard so many good things about this book. I hope to get time sometime in the near future to read it. Thanks so much for sharing at #MomentsofHope! You are the best♥\
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Hey Lori! Right? The Message jars me sometimes, especially with verses I have read a gazillion times… and I often need jarring! It really is an amazing book written by an amazing lady— well worth reading 🙂 Blessings to you, my friend, and have a wonderful Sunday!