Monday Morning Faith
by Lori Copeland
The book actually starts at the end of the story. Johanna Holland is on an airplane. The reader isn’t told where she’s going or why, only that it’s far away and very hot. The author then goes back to fill in the rest of the story. She goes back to the previous October, the day of
Johanna’s 40th birthday. We learn that she’s a single, head librarian who still lives at home so she can take care of her parents. She’s trying to be cheerful at her birthday party, but reality is staring her in the face. She doesn’t even have any prospects for a boyfriend, although her Aunt Margaret is trying to fix her up with Harvey, a widower with many children. Her best friend and fellow librarian Nelda saves her from an encounter with Harvey. Johanna decides she needs a break and claims that the party needs more plates and quickly exits the room. Although the sign says “wet floor” she heads on, only to slip and start flying through the air.
It is at this point the readers are introduced to Sam Littleton (a Tom Selleck look-a-like according to Johanna). He catches her and prevents her from actually making contact
with the floor. He was at the library doing research on Papua New Guinea. He’s going there the following January and wants to read as much as he can about the country and its people.
As the book unfolds Johanna encounters Sam more and more (and her falling for one reason or another is usually involved). They finally start going out. Johanna learns that Sam is a doctor and he’s going to Papua New Guinea on a missionary trip. There are two couples already
down there working with the natives. And that’s where the problems begin.
Johanna is very happy and secure with her job and where she lives. She need to take care of her parents after all! Then her parents turn around and tell her that they’re moving out of the house into an assisted living complex. Johanna feels betrayed and her whole world starts unraveling. She soon realizes that she has a “Sunday morning faith” one that works fine when things are nice and ordered and going well. She knows that a relationship with Sam will require a “Monday morning faith,” a faith that will allow her to step off into space not knowing for sure if there will be someone there to catch her or not!
Reading this book makes the reader question many things. What would I do if I was asked to leave behind everything and everyone I knew and loved? Would I be able to go to a place where even the basic “necessities” aren’t anywhere to be found? As Johanna struggles with these questions and many more, the reader struggles right along with her. So although the book is excellent, and you get to know and love the characters very well, it really makes you think.
I had a very uneasy feeling the whole time I was reading the book, which is good! You should be shaken up when you read it. The author goes into great detail about the living conditions and the culture of the people there. If nothing else, reading this book will help the reader appreciate ALL the things we take for granted every day of our lives. I highly recommend this book. Read it and shake up your life a little!
Reviewed by Lynn Worley
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