Marion Bond West

I love Marion Bond West. I love the way she writes. She is funny, forthright, and inspiring. I imagine sitting down having a conversation with her when I read her books. Unfortunately, she is not well recognized. Her books are wonderful, kind of all over the place, and she does repeat some of her favorite anecdotes in several books, but her writing is captivating. I feel like I'm reading her diary. Only obstacles I think are the titles and covers of her books. Who decides these things I wonder; editors probably... If I hadn't read her stories in Guideposts magazines, I'd never think to pick up her books. B/c the titles kind of put me off: Out of My Bondage, for example, sounds like another addict's story, and it's not. This book, The Nevertheless Principle, is about how Marion discovered how she could live through difficulties and challenges, b/c God does things despite awful circumstances. ..."Even though my husband's CAT SCAN isn't good, even though his prognosis isn't good, nevertheless, I can survive this.. I can live... I will be alright." I find that Nevertheless living principle very inspiring and I want to have that sort of faith. Marion is almost 80 now, (I feel like I can call her Marion b/c reading her books you feel like her friend!) and I'm not sure she's writing too much these days.... but I'll re-read her books for sure...… (mehr)

UPDATE 7/12/2012: re- read this last week. Still love it, though I'd forgotten how all over the place it is..West jumps from present to past to recent past and back again-w/her stories, etc.. But I loved, loved her stories, her wit, her realism. I am going to read her other books now.




I loved this book. It was a sort of memoir, mixed with prayers and Scriptures that challenged me to pray more. I loved the Scripture she quoted in the book from Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

This verse says it all- even though it seems like the Lord is not hearing, not working, not doing, He is. He is working in your life. I recommend this one; it's a great encouragement for those despairing. And those not despairing too!




… (mehr)