Smack-Dab in the Middle of God’s Love
By Brennan Manning & John Blase
Published by Thomas Nelson
Misses the mark.
Smack-Dab in the Middle of God’s Love is a simple little book geared toward younger children.
Not too complicated for little ones to understand.
Not too long for their attention span.
Repetitive text captures their attention and involves them in the story as they begin to recognize the bold-font phrase “smack-dab in the middle”.
Unfortunately, Smack-Dab in the Middle of God’s Love misses the mark. Thouh it does a good job reminding little ones of God’s perfect, unconditional, never-ending love for them, a greater opportunity is missed.
As Willie Juan asks the children the question: “Little friends, someday, when you are in heaven, what do you think Abba will ask you?”, we hear their various answers reflecting fears, dreams and concerns common among us all. However, the discussion centers only around earthly matters while completely avioding the only question that will truly matter for all eternity – whether you know His Son Jesus or not.
So where does Jesus fit into this story?
How can we talk of God’s love apart from His saving grace through the ultimate sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus?
As we already battle against a me-centered world, this book seems to put us (people) as the center of God’s attention – “smack-dab in the middle”. Here is a wonderfully written little book, but missed a great opportunity to teach children that cultivating a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the only way to find true happiness “smack-dab in the middle” of God’s love.
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See a preview of this book here.