Left To Tell

I enjoy books. I love hanging out in bookstores. I love buying books and, man, they sure do look good on my bookshelves but I’m not a big reader. Weird, uh? I enjoy reading but it’s not something I crave to do like some of my friends do. Maybe I’m just not disciplined enough or just too tempted to catch last week’s CSI: NY. Anyway, the point is that I rarely get to finish books but it’s always so rewarding when I do. I recently finished a great book by Immaculee Ilibagiza called Left To Tell.

Imaaculee survived the Rwandan holocaust by hiding out in a 3′ by 5′ bathroom with 7 other women for over three months. It sounds like a movie, right? Something so horrible that it couldn’t possibly happen in this world or at least not in the past 100 years. And, yet, some of the most horrific things have happened to humanity in the past 100 years. 

But, history and politics aside, the real reason this book really hit me was the spiritual journey that Immaculee experiences. I cannot even compare any hardships I’ve been through to the turmoil she must have felt in that small room for 91 days. Here’s a part of a book review that sums it better than I can:

This searing firsthand account of Ilibagiza’s experience cuts two ways: her description of the evil that was perpetrated, including the brutal murders of her family members, is soul-numbingly devastating, yet the story of her unquenchable faith and connection to God throughout the ordeal uplifts and inspires. Her account of the miracles that protected her is simple and vivid. Her Catholic faith shines through, but the book will speak on a deep level to any person of faith. Ilibagiza’s remarkable path to forgiving the perpetrators and releasing her anger is a beacon to others who have suffered injustice. She brings the battlefield between good and evil out of the genocide around her and into her own heart, mind and soul. This book is a precious addition to the literature that tries to make sense of humankind’s seemingly bottomless depravity and counterbalancing hope in an all-powerful, loving God. 

No matter what you’ve been through, we’ve all been burned in one way or another. And it’s easy to play the victim and there are times when many of us are victims of something. The less common response is forgiveness…mercy for those that have hurt you. But who is our ultimate forgiver…and who have we offended most? This book was an emotion-filled reminder of His grace and love for us. It’s a book you will not be able to put down! Thank you, Immaculee, for sharing your story.