Seven Miracles that Saved America

A few of you asked which history book I was reading when I posted about the power of history recently.  Having completed the book, I wanted to share it with you and share my thoughts about it.


The book is Seven Miracles that Saved America, Why they matter and why we should have hope by Chris and Ted Stewart.

I loved it.  It was a great “jump back into reading history” book for me.  The book goes through seven different events in U.S. history illustrating small things that did or didn’t happen and how the course of history would have been altered if they had happened differently.  The seven examples cited are:

Columbus’ discovery of America and why it was unlikely Jamestown, VA and the survival of the colony in spite of the “starving time” The Battle of New York during the Revolutionary War and the miracle of fog to cover the retreat Creation of the US Constitution Lincoln’s experience with prayer during the Battle of Gettysburg The Battle of Midway in WWII Ronald Reagan’s unique talents and influence in ending the Cold War Of these seven events, I can say that I was already very familiar with five of them.  Even so, among those five the book contained research that either I wasn’t familiar with or hadn’t considered from that perspective before.  So although much of the book was review for me, I felt that I gleaned new thoughts and insights.  For instance, I had never studied Chinese history during the century leading up to Columbus with the question in mind, “Why didn’t the Chinese discover the New World?”  Learning about the decline of Chinese culture at that time was fascinating to me, not because I’d never heard it before, but because I hadn’t connected it with what was happening in Europe at the same time and the consequences it all had on the Americas.  I guess you could say that this book connected some dots in my mind, an illuminating experience!

This book is written from a Christian viewpoint, something which I am not the least bit bothered by.  My personal belief is like Benjamin Franklin’s, that God governs in the affairs of both men and nations.  I was also happy to find in the bibliography several books which I intend to read.  Experience has taught me that reading the bibliographies in historical books often shows me new paths to follow in learning.  It’s like a treasure hunt, and I love it.

Finally, the premise of the book was what inspired me to purchase it in the first place.  Most historians have a purpose in writing, something they’re hoping to prove, and they use historical facts to do it.   Often those facts can tell more than one story depending upon the perspective of the storyteller.  In today’s world there are few who use historical facts to support the idea that the United States of America has a purpose to fulfill in the world, that it has tremendous potential, and that believing in that potential and mission is worthwhile.  I found it refreshing to read.

In addition to this, it is interesting to consider how history might have played out if different things happened, or if certain things didn’t happen.  Obviously we will never know, but this book reminded me that sometimes there is significance in considering the other alternatives.   I realized that I have more to learn from both history and my personal life by asking that question.  Sometimes the hand of God is revealed in what didn’t happen, not only in what did.

While this book was not the best written history I’ve ever encountered, I found certain parts of it to be compelling.  If history is an intimidating subject for you, it is likely that you would find in this book a story that would pique your interest and make you hungry for more.  It is also an easily digested book because it provides only general overviews of historical events and isn’t a thick book focused on one single event.

In sum, I learned and am a better person for reading this book.   I recommend it.  If you’re interested, you can purchase it here .

Jennifer

Fairy Wings

What would you do if you were a fairy who was born without wings?


The heroine of this book is Fia, a fairy who has just that problem.  Rejected by her beautiful sisters and the other fairies, her only friends are animals.


That is, until one day she meets a boy fairy and fixes his wing.  Little does she know he is the prince.


At the ball Fia is humiliated because she has no wings.  She leaves, heartbroken.  Minutes later all the fairies are captured by the troll and Fia alone is left.  In spite of the unkindness she has suffered at the hands of her people, Fia chooses to try to save them.  It takes courage, intellingence and effort, but in the end she is triumphant.  She also receives the reward of being appreciated for who she is.


Fairy Wings is a book that reminds us that we may always choose our response.  Fia’s choice to  answer unkindness with kindness provides a lesson in taking the high road.  It is also a reminder that what we look like on the outside is not the measure of who we are.  We always enjoy reading this gem, my girls in particular.  Unfortunately, it is out of print (too many of the best books are)  but you can find used paperback copies for sale here .  Hope you enjoy it!

Hopeful Homemaker

All the Places to Love

This book was one of the first I fell in love with when, as a young mother,  I discovered the world of Children’s Literature.


It is the story of a boy who lives on a farm with his parents and grandparents.


When his Grandpa first saw him, he carved his name on a beam in the barn next to the names of his parents.  Eli grows and through the years his parents and grandparents share with him the places they love most on the farm.


His dad teaches him to love the soil and his grandmother teaches him to love the river.


His mother loves the hill.


And now, today the boy sits with his grandpa waiting in the barn for the announcement that his new baby sister is born.


Her name will be carved on the old barn’s beam next to his.  He looks forward with eagerness to introducing his little sister to “all the places to love” in their little world.


Reading this lovely book always makes me sigh.  MacLachlan’s text is simple but evocative.  Wimmer’s illustrations are rich and beautiful.  To me, this is more than a story of a boy growing up in the country.  It is the story of a boy who is swimming in love, whose life is enriched by an appreciation of simple things.  The nurturing of his parents and grandparents have created this for him, and he waits patiently for the opportunity to share simple beauties with his sister.   I guess I love what this story implies about the relationships in this boy’s family.  They’re the kind of relationships I want to create in my own home.  You don’t have to live in the country to enjoy the world around you.  You just have to be aware and appreciative.  Every time I close this book, I feel more committed to slow down and create more of those moments for my children.  It is a book that makes me yearn to be better.  And I’ll admit that it also makes me wish a I had an old barn with our names carved on the beam!

If you’ve never read this book, I hope someday you have the opportunity to.  You can purchase it here .  Meanwhile, I hope you’ll share all of YOUR places to love with your family.

Hopeful Homemaker

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