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A review by fireflyhollow
Redemption by Karen Kingsbury
5.0
I've read several reviews of this book that expressed the disappointment and disapproval of Karen Kingsbury promoting women staying with cheating husbands. I do not believe the author was saying that you have a Biblical responsibility to stay with a spouse who has cheated - because you don't. Adultery is a biblically justified reason for divorce. The main character in this story, Kari, deeply believed that God wanted her to stay with her husband and resolve the problems they had, and there is absolutely no shame in trying to fix a broken marriage.
I had a difficult time reading this when
I also believe that Kari's persistence to follow what she believed God wanted to her to do concerning Tim was extremely encouraging. I can only imagine the hurt Kari felt when her husband betrayed her. Even the thought of my husband being like Tim makes my heart hurt. What would I do if Matthew looked at me with no emotion and told me he wanted a divorce and there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind? What if I knew he was spending every night in the arms of another woman? Could I bear it? I don't know. But, I do know that the only way I could possibly make it through would be to lean on God which is what Kari did. She didn't believe she had the strength to fight for a marriage that she believed God wanted to be healed but her husband didn't. It's so easy to give up when things are really, really hard, but we have to remember that we first live for God and need to follow His guidance even when we don't understand why.
I had a difficult time reading this when
Spoiler
Kari found out that Ryan, her first love, hadn't betrayed her and if she had been a little more patient all of her dreams would have come true. It makes me wonder how many times my impatience has cost me something I have been so desperately wanting. I did want her to be with Ryan, but I knew that it was wrong while she was still married to Tim. I think too many people today think it is okay to be with someone while you are separated but still married to someone else. Just because the other person ended it emotionally first doesn't mean that your actions are any better than theirs.I also believe that Kari's persistence to follow what she believed God wanted to her to do concerning Tim was extremely encouraging. I can only imagine the hurt Kari felt when her husband betrayed her. Even the thought of my husband being like Tim makes my heart hurt. What would I do if Matthew looked at me with no emotion and told me he wanted a divorce and there was nothing I could say or do to change his mind? What if I knew he was spending every night in the arms of another woman? Could I bear it? I don't know. But, I do know that the only way I could possibly make it through would be to lean on God which is what Kari did. She didn't believe she had the strength to fight for a marriage that she believed God wanted to be healed but her husband didn't. It's so easy to give up when things are really, really hard, but we have to remember that we first live for God and need to follow His guidance even when we don't understand why.