ABC VERMONT & NEW HAMPSHIRE
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • MISSION AND PURPOSE
    • REGION MINISTRIES
    • FIND A CHURCH
    • MINISTERIAL LEADERS
    • STAFF
    • CONTACT US
  • RESOURCES
    • PASTORAL RESOURCES
    • CHURCH RESOURCES
    • MISSION PROJECTS
  • NEWS AND EVENTS
    • EVENTS
    • NEWS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO >
      • 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO
      • 2022 Annual Gathering Video
    • FROST HEAVE REVIVAL PODCAST
    • IMPORTANT DATES
  • SUPPORTING THE REGION

Happy Endings

12/1/2017

0 Comments

 
I love a happy ending. Don’t you?

Several years ago, I read a “literary fiction” book. The plot line tells about a single woman who is shy and reticent to develop relationships with others. She is reconciled to the fact she will never marry. Through a serendipitous incident, she meets a kind, gentle man who also believes he will never find someone with whom he will spend the rest of his life. The two develop a friendship, eventually falling in love. Well-written, with warm, delightful characters, the book immersed me into these peoples’ world. Then two chapters before the end, alone in his apartment, the man dies of a heart attack. The woman goes back to her solitary existence.

What?

Distraught, I felt sucker-punched. I was downright angry at the author. Later, I discovered that unlike commercial fiction, literary fiction doesn’t always tie up with a happy ending. In literary fiction, exploration of character and social issues come before plot. The book received glowing reviews, but if you ask me, I thought it was a terrible novel.

Why? Because I wanted the hero and heroine to ride off together into the sunset, happily ever after, which unfortunately isn’t always realistic. Life is often messy, unsettled, and difficult, especially during the holidays. Pressure abounds to produce the quintessential Thanksgiving dinner or purchase the perfect Christmas gift. Enter unmet expectations, and the event goes off the rails.

As Christians, however, we can rest easier knowing this life is temporary; that a better life, an eternal life, is to come. A life that is full of not just happy endings, but of joy at being in the presence of our Lord and Savior forever.

May you experience the joy of Christmas this December and beyond.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news
of great joy which will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10 NASB)

Linda Shenton Matchett

With a BA in Psychology and Masters in Human Resource Management, Linda Matchett has had a wide and varied career as a crisis counselor, HR generalist, B&B owner and youth center director. She is currently the Front of House, Snackbar & Catering Manager at Brewster Academy. A journalist and blogger, she has written for numerous online and print publications. An author of Christian contemporary and historical fiction, Linda is also a a motivational speaker. Available topics include Life on the (WWII) Home Front, Wartime Baking, Women in the (WWII) Workforce, The Writer’s Life, God in the Workplace, The Proverbs 31 Gal: The Woman We Love to Hate, and Ruth: Lessons from a Foreigner. Linda is a member of First Baptist Church Wolfeboro where she sings in the choir and serves as Church Treasurer and a member of the Fellowship Team.

0 Comments

    News

    Read what's happening all around the Region!

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
    • MISSION AND PURPOSE
    • REGION MINISTRIES
    • FIND A CHURCH
    • MINISTERIAL LEADERS
    • STAFF
    • CONTACT US
  • RESOURCES
    • PASTORAL RESOURCES
    • CHURCH RESOURCES
    • MISSION PROJECTS
  • NEWS AND EVENTS
    • EVENTS
    • NEWS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO >
      • 2021 ANNUAL GATHERING VIDEO
      • 2022 Annual Gathering Video
    • FROST HEAVE REVIVAL PODCAST
    • IMPORTANT DATES
  • SUPPORTING THE REGION