"A Garden To Keep"
by Jamie Langston Turner
As in all Jamie Langston Turner’s books, this is a lesson on life. Elizabeth thought she had it all—a wonderful husband, a loving son, an intelligent daughter and a teaching job that she loved. It seemed that everything was perfect. But her life changed forever when she was invited to church on a whim by one of her students. Finding it hard to say no, she went and was surprised to see Margaret, the seemingly intelligent woman from her weekly poetry class, playing the organ. Before she could sneak out of church, she found herself being invited to Sunday dinner at Margaret’s home. She discovered, that day, not only a friend for life, but also a Savior for eternity, who would help her get through the troubling days ahead. An empty nest, betrayal and many hours alone force Elizabeth to take a deep look within, realizing that she is not the perfect person she thinks she is. In her garden of life, the Lord reveals to Elizabeth that she has not tended her garden well. Ultimately, the Lord graciously helps her cultivate that garden, whereby she learns the value and reaps the benefits of a well-tended garden.
-Pam Brummel