Have Karon's books changed your life?

[emstalcup]

I would like to interview people who feel that reading Karon's books has changed their life, especially their spiritual life. Did reading her books rekindle your faith or help you find faith in God?
This is for an article in Charisma Magazine. YOu can check out Charisma or me, Elizabeth Moll Stalcup on the web.

[Josie]

YES YES YES - I have just finished These High Green Hills and am waiting for Out to Canaan at my library. I have a renewed faith in God and am working on redeveloping my relationship with Him. I find myself desiring to be a better person.

[gagamamaB]

What a wonderful testament to Jan Karon, it's a joyful thing! Good for you.

I think we've all been changed by her writings and subtle way of introducing the rules to living for those of us who might have forgotten them. She takes stories of the Bible and shows them in a contemporary setting in which we can relate. She is truly a remarkable lady.

[Amy]

I may be a little late in posting this reply. But, yes, these books have made a major difference in my life. I am currently working in a job that will end and I will be among the "unemployed". Being a single mom, this was devistating. I decided that I will finish up my full time job, and also go to school, part time, and still try to make time for my son. I then added the decision to move to Florida (I now live in NY). My mother is in FL and the rest of my family is in NY. I lost many nights sleep wondering if I had made the right decision...then I started reading the book "A New Song" and along with my own feelings of leaving my town and people I love, Father Tim was doing the same. I have typed a piece out of the book and changed it a little to fit my needs it reads as this "We learn from years of digging around in the dirt and moving flowers from one corner of the yard to another what transplanting is all about. First comes the wilt, then the gradual settling in, and then the growth spurt. That simple. God has transplanted us, and we had better get over the wilt and get busy putting down roots. end...I have printed this on a piece of paper and read it constantly...just to remind myself that we have to believe in God and He will lead us in the right direction.

[SheLovedMuch]

I always describe these books as "like sitting down to a good cup of tea". I have farmed them out to Christians and non-Christians alike, knowing that they too would be refreshed. Dear FT makes you see the Sermon on the Mount in action. One sentence, repeated over and over in the Mitford series has stuck to me like glue:

Praying the prayer that never fails.

It radically changed my prayer life.

[Judirh]

I agree with all of your observations and have a few of my own. For me the books remind me of a "gentler" time. A time of courtesy, and kindness to your neighbor, a time of caring and concern that somehow in the fast pace of life today gets overlooked all too often. Yes, the books have reinforced my strong Episcopal faith and faith in my fellowman (and women http://mitfordbooks.com/ubb/smile.gif ). For me the message from Jan comes through loud and strong of acceptance for everyone in every circumstance in every walk of life. Just as Jesus taught, with love.

[Jane o]

This book series was recommended to me by a dear friend. I find that at the end of the day they(the books) refresh my soul. I, too, like many of the other readers, lead a very hectic life. Work, Mom and (all other roles-wife, sister, daughter etc.) house and sometimes the pressure is too much. This book series allows my mind to wander, creating the images of Father Tim and the folks in Mitford. It is a release. I can't tell you the last time I sat in front of the T.V. at night. Father Tim also has taught me that instead of becoming frustrated with certain characteristics of the human beings that I interact with on a daily basis, I should celebrate in our differences. We can't all be the same and wouldn't the world be boring if it were.

[evie]

Absolutely yes!!!! These books were a wonderful tood of healing and encouragement. When my husband and I "found" these books we were in the same sort of time in our life and actually on a leave of absence from pastoral ministry to work with a church on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It seemed we were living the book and the encouragements of Father Tim's heart reached both my husband and I in a very special way. We consider these books blessed and annointed of the Lord. God bless Jan Karon!

[Carol B]

These books absolutely changed my life. My mother-in-law lent me the books saying, "I thought you would enjoy these." You see I am a church secretary so I guess she thought I could relate. But she would have no idea what else they have done for me. I have been so touched by these characters I find it hard to even explain it. The one very noticeable way it has changed me however, is in the way I relate to my husband. I find that the longer we are married we really can start to take our spouses for granted. We don't mean to, and we love them dearly, but reading about these two finding love later in life and going through the tender feelings they have for each other and the way they cherish each other gave me a renewed sense of making sure I truly cherish my husband. We have been married for 22 years. This summer I think he must be wondering just what hit me (I just read the series for the first time this summer) because I know I have been more loving, tender and romantic. The books have also engcouraged me to always see God at work in every single aspect of my life and I feel very blessed to work in a Christian enviroment, to be surrounded by 4 wonderful Baptist pastors that I work for (yes, I'm Baptist, I laugh so hard at the comments about the Baptists!)and just try to be more like Christ, which I feel Father Tim is trying to do everyday of his life. As wonderful as our pastors are they are not Father Tim. Thank you Jan Karon for making the Christian life come alive for all of us.

[poetry4Him]

I know I am late in answering to this question. My spiritual life changed in such a way that I am not sure that I can describe it. I feel cherished and adored and cared for while I am reading these books. I feel like God speaks so sweetly to me and gives me peace and rest while I read them. I could read them a 1000 times each and feel the same way each time. I think that is God's way of getting us into His Word. I should feel that loved and cherished and changed whenever I read the Scriptures. I guess nurtured is the right word I am looking for! Yes, nurtured. Like I have been taken by the hand to witness my life as seen by someone else and how important a part I am even though I am blind to it on a day to day basis.

[Sarah A]

I won't say that the books have changed my life..but I always read a portion of one when having a bad day. This always inspires me to get up and going. These books have a special meaning to me.

Sarah :cool:

[lilymac]

This set of books have become my favorites (and I really like to read). I will be starting my third reading soon - Jan's words and visions are a solace in a very worrisome world.

[sarah b. gladden]

My heart overflows with gratitude to Jan Karon for her Mitford Series books. I just finished reading the series for the third time! While I was reading them this time I wrote post-it notes of my favorite Bible verses and carried them with me during the day. I am now starting a notebook of the references from the Bible and other sources to have with me in time of need. My "spiritual side" has emerged more strongly than I would have ever believed. I radiate peace, hope, and love. Thank you, Ms. Karon and may God bless you.

[lisaburley]

I know this topic has been on the board for a while, but I would also like to share here. Four years ago my husband and I moved into a small town and a small church where the clear yet unspoken message was that "outsiders" were not a part of the town. Though I'm naturally a pretty friendly person, over time I developed a sense of not really caring anymore. I had a couple of friends at church and wasn't interested in becoming a part of the larger community here.

Reading the Mitford books gave me a longing for the friendliness that Father Tim experiences in his day-to-day life. It would be easy to sit back and think "I wish this town were friendlier" or "I wish this church were friendlier" but God showed me that I had hardened my heart and that I was the one that needed to be friendlier.

In the last couple of months, I have begun a book club at my house and today I'm taking muffins to the librarians! Each day I take a concious look at my life and ask God how I can extend friendship to someone -- especially to those in my immediate family.

Father Tim and Cynthia's marriage has also made me look at how I relate to my husband. We've been married 15 years and it gets way to easy to take marriage for granted. Father Tim's amazement at the whole thing is good for me. I am trying to look at my husband with amazement again.

Thank you, Jan Karon for writing these beautiful books that do not preach but do assume faith in God and show how that can weave into daily life.

[gagamamaB]

What a wonderful testiment! I'm certain that Jan's heart must fill with joy when she reads messages like yours - it makes me happy and I commend you for taking the first steps in changing not only your life but those around you! God bless,Chris

[patty ann]

I am on my third reading of these wonderful books. Everytime my heart is challegened by a new concept. It's amazing the insights ft has through the pen of Jan. Thank you Lord for the insights He has given her and that it affects so many people.

[Angela Ann]

Hi! I'm new here so I'll just jump right in. These books affected my life alot. I often think of FT and Cynthia during my challenging times when I must say to God, "Thy will be done" as well as FT's prayer of "let me be a blessing to someone today."

I have loved JK books for several years. I need to re-read some of the books, as it's been a while. I remember after reading the first one, I devoured the next three then waited impatiently for the fourth and fifth to come out. To me, the characters represent the best of what we as humans can be (with an occasional protagonist to remind us of what we don't want to be). smile.gif

Angela Ann

[gagamamaB]

AngelaAnn, welcome to our BB and so glad you posted here. I totally agree with you and know that many others do, as well.

Jan Karon has given us such a wonderful gift in these stories and the characters who look after one another and help where ever and whoever is in need or hurting.

We're a diverse group, young and old, stay at home moms and folks with healthy careers and we all have one thing in common, our admiration for Jan Karon and the little town of Mitford that she has given to us.

Read all of the posts on the other board and let us know more about you..we're so happy you are here.

We represent 46 States and 6 Countries, so you'll find others from Georgia. I'm from California - the High Desert 75 miles N. of Los Angeles. :D