A note specifically for those involved in my reading/discussion group of the best-seller The Shack: This coming Sunday be prepared for a conversation over Chapters Five and Six.
Chapters Three and Four served to unveil the Great Sadness in Mack's life for us. One moment a camping trip with his children--everything as good as it gets. The next moment chaos and then horror at the realization that his daughter had been abducted, and likely at the hands of a seriel killer.
Our group spent time discussing some of that back-story. We related to the family's camping get-away and the way they drew close to their new found friends. We relished with Mack the opportunity to count his blessings (before Missy's disappearance) and we pondered the depths of his despair, and the speed at which everything changed.
We also spoke a bit about the how and why questions we're all tempted to ask when tragedy stikes, as well as the dreadful "what if" and "if only" regrets. Finally, we wrapped up discussing what it might be like to have been one of Mack's friends or family members--what would sympathy and compassion look like? How might we minister loving care in such dire circumstances?
Any other impressions you may have had over the opening sections? Feel free to drop a comment here or pick it up in conversation with someone in the group. See you Sunday!
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