THE RECOVERY OF JOY
Finding the path from rootlessness to
returning home
By Naomi Starkey
Bible Reading Fellowship. 123 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 0 857 465 184
The blurb on the back cover claims that this book ‘weaves imaginative story and profound reflections on a selection of Psalms to trace a journey that many of us will relate to’. This is a good summary of the contents.
I’m not a big fan of fictional Christian writing, but Naomi writes with endearing charm and describes the eventful journey of a troubled pilgrim trying to find meaning and purpose in life. Each chapter tracks the path of this pilgrim through traumas, dilemmas and moments of respite, with the reader becoming acutely aware that problems will ultimately have to be faced head on.
The oases of the Psalms
If you are struggling with the baggage that life throws at you, with unresolved relationship issues, or just exhausted with the ‘what ifs’ of life – you may find this book helpful. It is an easy read, and for me the oases were the reflections on the Psalms. I was moved once again by their astonishing relevance and the soothing balm that they offer as we cope with the pressures of 21st-century living. Realising that we can have God’s help and that he will be with us every step on the untidy journey of life, brings healing and hope.
