On Shifting Sand by Allison Pittman

Book Description:
Long before anyone would christen it “The Dust Bowl,” Nola Merrill senses the destruction. She’s been drying up bit by bit since the day her mother died, leaving her to be raised by a father who withholds his affection the way God keeps a grip on the Oklahoma rain. A hasty marriage to Russ, a young preacher, didn’t bring the escape she desired. Now, twelve years later with two children to raise, new seeds of dissatisfaction take root.

When Jim, a mysterious drifter and long-lost friend from her husband’s past, takes refuge in their home, Nola slowly springs to life under his attentions until a single, reckless encounter brings her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage. For months Nola withers in the wake of the sin she so desperately tries to bury. Guilt and shame consume her physically and spiritually, until an opportunity arises that will bring the family far from the drought and dust of Oklahoma. Or so she thinks. As the storms follow, she is consumed with the burden of her sin and confesses all, hoping to find Russ’s love strong enough to stand the test.

________________________________________

On Shifting Sand is a story that while being fiction is more like real life. It is gritty, hard, sinful, hopeful, and about real love and grace. I had a hard time deciding how to rate this book, because, while I didn't love it, it was a very good novel and I liked it. I liked the depth, the heart and truths found within its pages, ones that sort of sink in and hit you as you go or maybe as you finish it. I found myself reflecting on it late last night after I finished it. While we might not all be able to relate to Nola and her exact sin, we are all sinners. We all can at times lie to ourselves, as well as others in our lives and if we are truly honest we know; we know our struggles, our weaknesses and like Nola we might say and even want to be forgiven and to not sin, but until we truly resolve, deep down, to CHOSE to repent and turn from our sin, flee from it and be steadfast in keeping our eye on our Maker and the One who not only forgives, but redeems, we seem to swim in a vicious circle of our own making.

This is not a fun or light read, but really one that speaks to you and may continue to speak to you long after you finish its pages. I do recommend it, and hope that like me you might reflect on the truths within and how they apply to you/your life.