Life

On Moonberry Lake ~ Holly Varni

/ Gail Johnson / 7 Comments

About the Book

Publisher:‎ Revell (September 26, 2023)

Publication date: September 26, 2023

Printed length: 328

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Cora Matthews’s life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever “normal” is.

It certainly isn’t what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family’s dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance–with a surprising condition attached–Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

My Thoughts

I connected with Holly Varni years ago on Twitter after reading the On Moonberry Lake stories she shared on her blog. What I thought would be a one-sided, girl-fanning tweet became a full-blown chat. I was surprised by Holly’s warm and friendly personality.

That sweetness is also found in her characters and stories. Reading On Moonberry Lake, I was struck by how much it reminded me of Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Like Mitford, the setting is a small town with quirky, lovable characters.

A tale of hope, freedom, and renewal, OML is about finding friends who love you like family. Or, in Cora Matthew’s case, better than family.

As a fan of character-driven fiction. I enjoyed Varni’s characters. I may have laughed out loud several times. And why not? Widgy was something else. Her coffee recipe was the best surprise.

On the other hand, Kitty was a mixed bag for me. If I met her on the street, we would be friends. But I would have to share the truth about her New Age beliefs.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not upset about Kitty’s character. As writers, we don’t always get to choose what our characters say or do. Still, as creators of Christian fiction, we must shine the light in the darkness lest our readers think non-Christian practices are okay. However, as I said before, this is a series, so I can’t know what Varni will do with her characters in the upcoming stories. I can only hope.

Moving on . . .

As for Cora Matthews, I empathized and cheered for her. A little lamb in need of nurturing. For the rest of the population On Moonberry Lake, they didn’t disappoint.

Like Ben Walker. The scene at the dance. The picture. The kiss. Memorable.

I thank the author and Revell for a free copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to
becoming a storyteller was planted. Though she, her husband, and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast where she shares more stories of her beloved characters. Learn more at http://www.hollyvarni.com.

An Audience of One

/ Gail Johnson / 8 Comments

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

Have you ever felt like you’ve been dormant for so long you’ve forgotten how to bloom? Hidden beneath the ground, overlooked by the Gardener? I think we all have.

The Garden

For me, it’s the flowerpot labeled writing. This writing journey has been a learning process, and I’ve enjoyed every minute. Even when I get discouraged and want to throw it all in the dumpster. Because inside, I know the Gardener has placed me precisely where He wants me. This beneficial place I’m in, He created just for me!

But then there are days when the voices inside my head are louder than the sounds of the garden. I can’t hear the bees buzzing and pollinating my tender blossoms or the stream trickling and saturating my roots. I don’t hear the Gardener’s footsteps strolling along my path or His hands pulling the weeds that steal the nutrients He offers me. All of the comforting sounds are lost amid the noise.  

I don’t have many of those days, but when I do, I find the most enormous ravine of comparison in the garden. You know the one. You have too much to do. You’ll never finish this book. What makes you think you’re a writer? You are so far behind you’ll never catch up. Imposter!

I’m using writing for this article, but we all have those voices that try to persuade us the Gardener has forgotten where He placed us. Maybe yours has to do with your marriage or perhaps your job. No matter what area the tendrils of comparison creep into, remember you are not a happenstance plant. A shoot that appeared out of nowhere. You were transplanted into His Garden. He knows where you are and how much water and fertilizer you need to bloom.

That particular truth came to light while walking the trails on our farm.  

A Planted Tree

Last year, we disassembled our block and brick patio during the Christmas holidays. Brick by brick and block by block, my family loaded my beloved resting place on the wagon and carried it to the backside of nowhere. Last month, I walked to the branch with my dogs and was surprised to find petunias growing from the stacks.

Think about that for a moment. Blooming without being noticed by anyone but the Master Gardener. Truth is, we only need an audience of One.

Today’s scriptures continue from last month’s devotion and tell us that if we walk in paths of righteousness and delight in the Lord’s law, we will bring forth fruit in His season. Not our season but His.

Let’s look at how The Gardener cares over His garden.

And he shall be like a tree planted . . .

In his commentary, Albert Barnes writes, “It is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is set out in a favorable place, and that is cultivated with care.”

Isn’t that a transforming thought? A favorable place is a beneficial area. Cultivated with care.

A Watered Tree

. . . by the rivers of water

The Hebrew word for rivers is peleg, from pâlag. It refers to a rill or a small water channel for irrigation.

Solomon wrote about this very thing in the book of Ecclesiastes: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: Ecclesiastes 2:5-6

The NIV says, “I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.”

I’m sure you’ve seen irrigation equipment watering a farmer’s field. But what you may not have seen is the hidden source of the water. Picture a mountain lake that divides into rivers, branches, brooks, canals, streams, and ponds. Whether waterways are above or below the ground, all irrigate the land when tapped into. Egypt was watered in this manner.

A Flourishing Tree

. . . that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper

Gardening did not begin in Egypt but in Eden when God created the first garden. As we see in Genesis, a good gardener cares for his plants and ensures they have the necessary water and nutrients to thrive.

SURVIVE: to remain alive or in existence: live on

THRIVE: to grow vigorously: FLOURISH : to gain in wealth or possessions: PROSPER : to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances – Merriam-Webster

Tender Plants

If you feel like you’ve been ripped from the earth and dumped on the backside of nowhere, remember The Master Gardener sees you. He is sending everything you need to thrive. Delight in and meditate on His Truth. Walk in His footsteps. And you will produce a crop that will bring honor to Him.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: Psalm 1:6a

How about you? Are you blooming for an audience of One, unseen by others? If so, bloom on, my friend. He sees, knows, and loves you!

If you are struggling to bloom. Take courage and rest in His hands. He knows the time and the place to unveil His masterpiece!