Most of the popular Christian fiction I read has a strong heroine. That’s no surprise as who doesn’t love a strong woman? Can you think of a better role model for our young women of today?
Yet oftentimes that personal strength comes at the expense of depending upon God. So, in Pieces of Granite I wanted to turn the strong-woman idea upside down. In my heroine, Debbie Verhoeven, you have a woman who’s very independent and self-sufficient. People rely on her, and she always comes through. Her temperament’s always on an even keel, and she can handle most any situation with grace.
The problem is, that’s only what the people around her perceive, when on the inside, she’s cracking. She can’t do it. Yet, in the beginning of the novel, Debbie even spouts the phrase “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”
I don’t buy that. I think God constantly gives us more than we can handle on our own. If He doesn’t, what reason will we have to turn to Him? If He doesn’t load us down with more than we can haul ourselves, will we ever let Him help carry our load?
In these self-sufficient, “I can do it on my own” times, I doubt it.
Matthew West eloquently addresses this issue in his song “Strong Enough” as he asks God to be strong for us.
No, we’re not strong enough, but God is.
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
Comments 2
Again, well said, Bren.
Thanks, Nicole. 🙂