Now and Then

Frederick Buechner's "Now and Then" is, at its core, an engrossing story. It is the sequel to Buechner's first piece of autobiographical literature "The Sacred Journey." "Now and Then" picks up where the prior volume left off--Buechner's entrance into Seminary. It follows his life up until the publication of "Godric." Don't be fooled by the slimness of this volume. There are many lessons to be gleaned from Buechner's look back on his life. From the lessons of an extended youth in seminary, to the rigors of representing God in a semi-hostile environment, this is an education crammed into a few pages. Yet the main message of this book is best expressed by Buechner himself. About two-thirds of the way through the book he says:"Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace."Get this book. See how one man's life shows forth something of this universal truth. I recommend it highly.

As a Christian who spends every day searching for a deeper faith and understanding it is somehow comforting and unbelievable to find that a man so brilliant shares my deepest, darkest feelings. Beuchner writes, in the most poetic way, of his journey through midlife/midcareer and all the doubts and fears that accompany those difficult years. Through his words, I've gained a better appreciation of the ministry, of writers and of myself. What a gift.