Elements For A Healthier Life Magazine Issue 12 | April/May/June 2017 | Page 23

agree that “God” is neither male nor female.

It actually saddens me greatly to see this movie get slapped with judgment of any kind. In fact, the movie has a great deal to do with the very issue of how judgmental we as a society can be. And that would include how we judge, or perceive life, and our God-rides. We want to make the call concerning what “should” or “shouldn’t” happen - to be in control of our own “ride”.

I know from personal experience that the message from the book and movie “The Shack” can change lives for the (leave in - those who are) hopeless, those who have or who will experience tragedy, those who are angry at God, those who see the Divine as an angry punisher and who believe they feel the weight of condemnation.

I read the book, and it ultimately reshaped my belief system as well as the way I live my life and the way I love. I can say without question that it is what carried me through the inconceivable devastation of losing my own daughter, (talk about unexpected), and the aftermath of a life lived without her. Because of what this book taught me, I was able to feel God’s arms wrapped around me, hear the tender, soothing lullaby of God’s word, and feel into the love for my daughter, the love for myself. No, I did not escape the sadness or the feelings of wanting to die, the anger of why, and all the other questions and confusing parts of loss. BUT, even still, I can say without a doubt that this God-ride that I’m on has proven to be exhilarating!

It’s not a death sentence, it’s a roller coaster ride!

Thriving in the God-ride,