Bathsheba A Novel By: Jill Eileen Smith

At the urging of my pastor, Rev. Rob Ray, our church was encouraged to read through the Bible as a congregation. Even though I’ve studied the Bible for years I had never read the text cover to cover. It really makes me feel good knowing I’m part of a group of believers, corporately reading the greatest book ever written.

I’ve particularly enjoyed reading about the kings of Israel and how some were good, but sadly, most were not. It struck me that King David is mentioned over and over as the one king who followed after God and was the pinnacle of comparison for all kings who came after him.

Around the same time that I was reading King David’s story I started reading Bathsheba, a novel by Jill Eileen smith. Bathsheba is actually the third book in Mrs. Smith’s Wives of King David series and I haven’t had the pleasure of reading her first two bestsellers, Michal and Abigail.

I started the book thinking, everyone knows the story of David and Bathsheba. How is this author going to add anything to the story I don’t already know? Boy was I wrong.

Mrs. Smith really did her research on how people, particularly women, lived during Biblical times. I felt drawn into the world and lives of the characters. I learned what they might have eaten and drank; how they lived and interacted with others.

It’s my opinion that an added plus to any work of fiction is snippets of historical fact woven into the literature. Mrs. Smith does an amazing job working so much history into this novel, I actually feel smarter having read it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the first two offerings in the series.

Forsaken In A New Orleans Pedi Cab

Don't Let This Happen To You!

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New Orleans, Louisiana is a hot town. Not because of the spicy Cajun food or the warm jazz beats, but because I visited in late July…and it’s just downright hot there.

My husband, daughter, son and I took a taxi to the French Quarter, about twenty blocks from our hotel. After dining sufficiently on Jambalaya, crawfish pie and the proverbial filet gumbo, we walked the Quarter taking in the sights, sounds and revelry that is New Orleans. When we’d had our fill of the city we looked for a taxi to return to our hotel. That’s when we came upon the two Pedi cab drivers.

What is a Pedi cab you ask? Think of a rickshaw, only more Americanized and the attendant peddles instead of runs. Husband decides a Pedi cab would be a fun way to take in the city on our way back. Husband and son climb into the first cab being manned by, what was his name, oh yes, Lance Armstrong. So daughter and I are relegated to the second cab whose driver had the same build as super model, Kate Moss. Did I mention that daughter and I might have outweighed her a tad bit?

Each time the young woman struggled with every ounce of her being to get the bike going, my daughter and I cringed and tried our best to will the thing forward. The only thing I could think of was, oh dear husband, why hast thou forsaken me?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

The whole situation made me think of God and how many times I’ve wronged Him and not once has He ever left me, or forsaken me. Thankfully for all of us He’s not in the forsaking business and that is why we can be strong and courageous and we have no reason to ever be terrified. He’s going to be there…with us…He said so in His word and His word is true! Thank You Father for that blessed assurance.

I’m no longer upset with hubby for his spously faux pas. After all, he may have had Lance Armstrong driving his cab, but when it was all over and done with, Kate Moss was much more learned at her New Orleans history than ol’ Lance.

Embarrassing side note: At the end of the ride as Kate was attempting to peddle UP beneath the portico Chet of our hotel the chain pops off the Pedi cab, daughter and I quickly jump out and run inside the hotel leaving hubby behind to pay the bill.