I want to be a Hassadah

So i have recently become fond of reading books. i know its pretty shocking i am suprised to by my love for reading lately but maybe its because of the author i've been reading is pretty darn amazing her name is Francine Rivers and she writes books that deal with real life things that were in the bible with fake characters. Anyways i read redeeming love this past summer and if you have never read that book and your a girl YOU WILL LOVE IT! i loved it so much i read it in a week. Its the story of Rahab. Anyways right before i went to Lima i decided to buy another one of her books and it happened to be apart of three book series. I read the first book during christmas and fell in love with it and now i'm on the second book. It's a form of relaxing for me to get in the world of this book. Anyways, The book takes place back around the time when christians were being persecuted and Rome was the biggest city or whatever there was....gladiator fights were big and basically the world hated jews. The city of Jeruselam is taken captive and Somehow God saves Hassadah but the rest of her family dies (i'm trying not to go into to much detail) She questions God as to why since she is shy and has never been bold about her faith. Throughout the first book God uses her as a slave in a household of greeks who believe nothing in God...I must tell you reading about Hassadah has really just completely inspired me to follow this characters example. I know sometimes i like Hassadah am not bold and wish i can be bolder and wonder what great things God has planned for me.

As the book goes on God ask Hassadah to do alot of things...to the point that she was put in a loins den BUT despite all that was going around her she trusted God, was a comfort for other christians, and even found the time to witness to a guard right before she went in! As in the first book i was convicted about what boldness and love and care Hassadah had for lost souls and how her heart ached for them...i couldn't help think of my own life and how sometimes don't care enough about the people i love the most and how the heart condition is so broken and hurting and they need Jesus. Because hassadah was in God's will and in the center of his plan he spared her life and that is where the second book begins. Which is such a wonderful reminder of when we are in the center of God's will he protects us!

Today as i read the book i was just touched by the women this character is again! in the chapter i was reading they go to some greek gods temple to save just one basically dying person. Because the slaves that are no longer healthy just get thrown on the steps of the temple to die. Hassadah and the doctor who helped save her life go to the temple and when they go hassadah looks around at all th pain and instead of just watching them and doing nothing (as sometimes i do) she lovingly and peacefuly prays for them and tells them about Jesus! I mean these were people who put her to die in loins den and who revolted to take Jersusalem over but yet she is telling them about God with such care and compassion. As i read that i just began to think about all the people in my life that i have discarded because they have hurt me or others around me...but no Jesus wants us to have compassion on them and love them and show them God's love in the gentlest way. Just like hassadah he wants us to share the good news we hold with them because deep down the soul is lost and all they need is Jesus. I just can't help but want that compassion for people.

The book goes on to tell of how Hassdah was so intune with God that she began to pray for him to show her who he wanted to be the one they saved.....and as she prayed the story contiues that it was one of the soldiers that spit on her when she was taken captive and she saves him! I was shocked to tell you the truth...i really don't know if i would of been able to forgive that quickly but than she was so obedient to God's voice that nothing else mattered but what he wanted!

I must tell you that reading this book has changed my life...not only is it entertainment but i have learned so much from the example of Hassadah. What a women! So obedient to God's voice speaking, So gentle, loving , caring and compassionate and not afraid to share about Jesus! If nothing else those are qualities that i desire to have in my walk with God. I want to be a Hassadah! I want to have God's love written all over me that even in my presence that it would be known i am one of his children. I'm sorry if i ruined the book for you! but you guys should still totally read it even if i just told you like half the books! haha