Book by Book
We've all heard the phrases, “God only gives you what you can handle” Yet, I challenge the notion that we receive only what we can bear. Many people across the globe endure suffering beyond their control, often at the hands of others. In the face of this, I choose to believe in love, the power of thought, and the synchronicity that unfolds when we live with conscious intent and embrace compassion.
Also, the expression, “If you want to make God laugh, make plans,” is another phrase mentioned.
Humor, too, is an invaluable asset in our journey, and the irony of life adds rich layers to plays a role in discovery meaning.
I am an unexpected purveyor of theology books, shaped by my own journey riddle in trauma over belief systems. My story is dramatic, I am able to see overtones of irony and even bits of humor. I carry the weight of Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), stemming from my upbringing in a cult. My home was a divided battleground, a believer and a non-beliver, one parent fervently religious and the other a skeptic. I live with complex PTSD, post and pre. This means I grapple with grief from my past yet maintain anxiety over the future. A prophecy declared that Armageddon would strike in 1975, leading my mother to make the gut-wrenching decision to sign her children over to our father in a desperate bid for our salvation. Yet, the world did not end, and her choice left lasting repercussions that reverberated through our lives for decades.
After art school, I forged a career as an artist. Fate led me to meet my husband, who shared a similar background, though his upbringing, while stringent, was not labeled a cult like mine. When we inherited his childhood home, we discovered a remarkable collection of 4,000 books stored amongst the belongings. Initially, I attempted to give them away, repeatedly contacting Wheaton College to retrieve the books, only to be told time that there would be time for that. But its a small, house and I needed the space. I reached out to a book dealer, who offered $700 for the entire collection.
Before committing, I explored the collection maintained by my father-in-law, Paul Fromer (1927-2012), who was the editor of HIS Magazine and several Billy Graham books. Much of the library was inherited from paul’s uncle, George H. Fromer (1888-1972), who houses his personal collection it in a second home next to his in Beaverton, Michigan.
It was natural that I was hesitant of ridged or extreme indoctrination. What I uncovered was nothing short of extraordinary. Most of the theology non-fiction dated back to the 1700s and 1800s and even a few printed in the 1600s. My initial intent of merely testing the waters as a bookseller, and make a go at earning funds for the house.
Yet, the more I researched I was introduced to authors, scholars and thinkers, who wrote in a progressive era characterized by writers earnest in their quest for understanding history, the purpose of the Bible, and the teachings of Jesus. The 1800s forestered a society who strives to care for the Earth and its less fortunate population, fostering a culture of consciousness and compassion. As I immersed myself, I learn how the authors were commitmented to children’s welfare, mental health care, and equality. I cultivated a deep tolerance for those genuinely seeking knowledge and understanding from ancient scripture, without the fever of certainty.
Despite the Shakespearean twists in life, I found this ironic juncture transformative. and profound journey. In this current climate of America, I am able to refrain from both the bipartisan and fear-mongering news, which easy burdens thoughts with impending doom. I am able to participate in hope.
