by Sally John
When devastation strikes, we have a choice to make. We can run and hide—an especially attractive option if that’s what we’re used to doing anyway—or we can sit up, take notice, learn, and heal. The second option requires everything of us, and then some. It requires a heart ready to receive a new message, a new echo, from the only One who can speak it.
Thank you for traveling this side road with Teal and River. As always, my prayer is that along with them, you were reminded that God does indeed love you unconditionally, passionately, and wildly.
Peace,
Sally John
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.sally-john.com
BLOG: http://lifeinthefictionlane.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK: “Sally John Books” page
Discussion Questions
1. Teal embodies what we might refer to as a “control freak” personality, a common temperament in today’s fast-paced, overscheduled society. Many wonder how else to balance the full plates they carry 24-7. Do you identify with Teal’s natural bent to be responsible for her family’s welfare? In what ways can this be a positive thing? In what ways can it become overdone and more negative than positive? What might cause the shift?
2. River’s nickname for Teal, “Xena, Warrior Princess,” hints at Teal’s tendency to take this natural bent to the extreme. What situations in her past and now—after the earthquake—drive her to cling more tightly than ever to a sense of control?
3. Teal’s visit to Cedar Pointe is all about heart echoes, memories imprinted from childhood. What sorts of things does she hear? Once we meet Lacey, Randi, Owen, and Dutch, what do we learn about Teal’s need to be in control?
4. River uses the phrase “father wound” in describing what both Teal and Maiya have experienced. What does he mean by this? Can you identify with the concept? Why or why not?
5. River is a long-suffering soul. Explore his character and the impact left on him by the loss of his first wife and child. What developments in his marriage to Teal did he “not sign up for”?
6. Explore the sister roles. How does birth order affect Teal and Lacey? In what ways can you relate to these characteristics?
7. An underlying tension between Teal and Lacey is the general pattern that family members don’t talk about what’s going on in a dysfunctional home. Have you or someone you know experienced this? What are some ways to try to break the pattern, especially for the next generation?
8. Why does Teal hide her secret about Cody? How has the secret affected her? Have you ever harbored a deep secret? What was (or would be) the impact of revealing it? Of keeping it?
9. In what ways does Teal learn from her daughter, Maiya? What life lessons have you learned from your children or other young people?
10. Psalm 147:3 says that God “heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” These wounds may come from the lies we believe about ourselves, lies that echo in our hearts. Often they have been placed there by others, whether intentionally or not. What has been your experience with such things? Has God healed your wounds? How do we replace the lies with truth?
About the Author
When the going gets tough—or weird or wonderful—the daydreamer gets going on a new story. Sally John has been tweaking life’s moments into fiction since she read her first Trixie Belden mystery as a child.
Now an author of more than fifteen novels, Sally writes stories that reflect contemporary life. Her passion is to create a family, turn their world inside out, and then portray how their relationships change with each other and with God. Her goal is to offer hope to readers in their own relational and faith journeys.
Sally grew up in Moline, Illinois, graduated from Illinois State University, married Tim in 1973, and taught in middle schools. She is a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. A three-time finalist for the Christy Award, she also teaches writing workshops. Her books include the Safe Harbor series (coauthored with Gary Smalley), The Other Way Home series, The Beach House series, and the In a Heartbeat series. Many of her stories are set in her favorite places of San Diego, Chicago, and small-town Illinois.
She and her husband currently live in Southern California. Visit her website at www.sally-john.com.
