Coexist - A Review

Coexist by Julia Crane
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Warning: Spoilers
Ugh, I tried...I really, really tried.
I just couldn't do it, I couldn't even finish it, which is so very rare with me, I ALWAYS have to finish a book, no matter how awful. But a good friend helped me out and said "Life is too short to waste it on bad books" So, I quickly deleted it so I couldn't torture myself anymore.

The premise is great and the story had SO MUCH POTENTIAL! And there were some good parts that made me want to keep going, but what should have been the most heart stopping moments in the book, fell completely and utterly flat.

For example, when Keegan gets killed...I wasn't even sure what was happening. All I could think was "Huh?" The most anti-climatic killing off of a main character EVER.

And Thaddeous...If you are going to make a young character with an old soul...try not so young...I just can't buy into a 12 year old thinking and speaking and FIGHTING IN A DEADLY WAR like a 30 year old.

The initial interactions between Keegan and Rourke were boring. There should have been way more tension/passion/something there. But again, something that should have made my pulse spike, made me want to go to sleep instead.

The friends turning out to be shape shifters. There should have been way more build up there and clues. And why does Keegan not even know what a shape shifter is? She keeps asking them what they are. DUH!...stupid.

The war itself was very confusing. There was no interaction between the dark and the light before the war. It just happened. And if the kid had never had the vision, and if they had never gone there, it wouldn't have even happened. It made no sense. They had no plans to go to Ireland until he said "Hey, this is where it's going to happen"..Just stupid.

And this is where I finally decided to check out. The end of the war. Bright idea for the kid to invent a vision. Ok, I can roll with that. But, the Dark guy just saying "Good idea kid. Let's call a truce." Stupid. But what really threw me over the edge was "Hey, we called a truce, so now let's work together and hold hands and help out humans! Yay!" What?!?!? Beyond stupid!!!

Ugh, I'm done talking about this...to sum up...don't bother, seriously...

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Praise Him in the Storm

Praise Him in the storm...what does that even mean? I used to think I understood. And it's really easy when times are good to say that even if rough times come, you will still praise Him...

Well, I'm here to tell you, it's really not that easy. When you are on the mountain top and life is good and you are flying high, you have to be very careful to keep your eyes up. If you don't, entitlement slowly creeps in, and when those tough times come, and things are taken away and the waters get really choppy, you will utter those words you swore you never would "Why me, Lord? Why me?"

Confusion will quickly turn to discontent which will ultimately turn to bitterness. "What did I do to deserve this? Why am I going through such a hard time? This isn't fair. God is supposed to be there and provide for me, where is He now?" Sound familiar?

I am ashamed to admit, those were my feelings a very short time ago.

I had sunk very deeply into a pit of self-pity and whining and very discontent in where my life is and our circumstances. Has our life changed so drastically to bring about this change in me from discontent to content, from disappointment to joy?

Nope, only my heart has changed.

God never promised an easy life. He has been very upfront about that too.

"Take up your cross and follow me", that doesn't shout "Follow me and your life will be so easy and you will want for nothing and everyone you meet will be your best friend and you will float though life on sunshine and butterflies!"

No, it whispers "Follow me. You will have burdens to bear, but I promise they will be light, not more that you can handle. And I will hold your hand, carry you when you need me to and catch you when you stumble. Follow me."

As Christians, I don't think we can help but ask, "Why? Why should we go through hardship and struggle? Shouldn't God love us enough to provide our every want and desire and be happy?"

I think the answer lies in our purpose in this life.

To be a light.

How else can we shine? If we can go through the struggles that every one else does, and yet still be content and have joy rather than bitterness and despair, then we are shining!

I want to shine!

Yes, we are struggling right now. Finances are beyond tight, but guess what? We still own a house. Hanging on by a thread, but we are hanging on. We put food on the table 3 times a day plus a thousand snacks. Our children are happy and HEALTHY. We have so very much to be thankful for.

Our cross could be heavier.

This is hard, but not impossible.

Job had EVERYTHING! But in an instant it was taken away. And yet, he had the spiritual fortitude to never blame God. God did NOT take everything away. Satan did.

We have to remember that we can be used as tools against God. To mock him. Just by sinking into that pit of despair when life get rough.

But guess what? Yes, Job went through an impossible horrible time in his life, and I'm sure he did not see the light at the end of the tunnel. He couldn't see the way out. He just had faith that God was still in control. And eventually, his life became golden again.

Well, I refuse to be used as a weapon against my God anymore!

We are in the middle of a storm right now, but I'm praising Him for everything we still have and I'm praising Him for providing for us, what we need exactly when we need it.

I am standing up, brushing myself off, and pressing on.
Who's with me?

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