Turtle Heart, the book I began in 2014 and labored long to bring to fruition, will soon be published. In it, you will read the story of a clueless, idealistic Mennonite girl and a feisty, sharp-witted old Ojibwe lady. In it you will see how my friendship with Charlene helped me grow in understanding God and humanity, a journey that continues today. In it you will read the most vulnerable spots of my heart.
In the coming weeks leading up to and immediately following Turtle Heart’s publication, I want to talk more about the themes the book touches and pull you into the conversation.
Today, I want to share a story from Turtle Heart: the story Charlene told me the first time I met her. Perhaps it will give you a picture, like it gave me, of why this lady was special.
Imagine yourself with me in the car, driving a frail, dark-eyed lady to her dialysis appointment an hour away. Imagine you have just met her, and that her expressive voice, her eyes with sparks in them, fascinate you as you have seldom been fascinated. Now listen:
She tells me a story, speaking slowly, the spaces between her words adding significance. I picture a circle of Natives around a fire, weighing out wisdom in stories. Charlene would fit there, in the darkness and firelight, weaving suspense with her words.
“When our little brother was dying of cancer, my sister Mary called and told me, ‘I don’t believe there is a God. If there is a God, why is he making Ollie suffer and die like this?’
“‘I don’t believe God is the one making Ollie suffer,’ I told her. ‘It’s the devil.’
“‘But God is letting the devil do it,’ she said.
“‘Well, Mary,’ I said. ‘Let’s suppose you could bargain with God. Let’s say he told you he would let Ollie live if someone else would die for him. Suppose he gave you that choice—you had to choose someone to die instead of Ollie. Who would you choose? Which of our brothers? Which of our friends?’”
Charlene pauses and looks at me, the dark eyes with the slanted corners intent, ready to deliver the punchline. The fog has lifted now, and the sky has lightened outside the window. I slow as I near the corner in the village of Cameron and flip my blinker to turn left.
“Of course, Mary couldn’t make that choice. No one could make that choice. I told her, ‘That’s why we have a God, to make those choices for us.’”
***
Charlene’s Christianity was not typical. She mixed Christian doctrine with Native religion and told me, the first time I met her, the Bible “was just a white man’s book.” Nevertheless, her simple faith in God was evident.
Charlene did eventually read the Bible I gave her and grew in faith as a result. But I also grew. She, with her fresh eyes and unboxed faith, strengthened and deepened my own faith as few people have.
Do you know anyone like that? Someone who is unconventional and helps you see God and other people in deeper ways? Tell me about it.
Photo by Jaime Handley on Unsplash
I am ready to read that book!
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Is Charlene her real name? Last name Thayer, by chance? Did she used to live at Hayward? I had a sweet friend in high school with that name, but she might have been a Chippewa. I’ll always have a big part of my heart reserved for those people I grew up around! Please let me know when and where to get your book! Thanks much!
Her last name is not Thayer, and she never lived near Hayward. :) I will be announcing on this blog when the book is available. If you’d like a personal email, shoot a message to lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com and I’ll add you to my list.
Please let me know when the book will be available!! I thank God for your inspiring gift of writing!!!
Marge, I thank God for interested readers like you! I will be announcing on this blog when the book is available. If you’d like to be personally notified, shoot me an email at lucindajkinsinger@gmail.com, and I will send you an email when the time comes.
Wow! I like that lady! And I enjoy your writing!
She is pretty awesome. ☺️ Thank you!