Hi!
Recently, I finished reading “The Garden.” I really liked it! It’s a Christian fable that talks about the battle between good and evil and how to overcome fear, anxiety and stress. It has so many beautiful truths and points that I think so many people would benefit from. I’m going to be sharing a little bit more of what I think about it below!
It seems to be from a pretty Protestant point of view, with is okay, I’m just such a black and white thinker and I’m really in love with the Catholic Church so I’m always on guard against what might be opposing it. However, the other morning God spoke to me through the day’s Gospel reading, basically telling me that whoever is not against us is for us. I too often fall into the thinking that Protestants, and even Catholics who aren’t very traditional are bad, but that’s not true. There were so many wonderful truths in this book! I just don’t always like when it’s too simplified or when it’s portrayed as everything is fine now. But I wish I would have been open to it more, I was judging truths that Catholics would probably agree with! And for the purpose of this book, I see why it should be simplified and it’s nice that it is.
What’s something you liked about it (and why)? Firstly, I loved how it was a fable. So it’s all within a fictional story but it clearly has a large message to it. It reminded me of how much I like fiction! It was a nice break from the other books I’ve read lately which have all been totally nonfiction, because it was easy to read since you’re not taking in and trying to comprehend every sentence. And I liked it’s because it’s fun to follow a storyline.
I also liked how short each page and chapter was, it made it easy to read and understand. It gave good information and teachings but it wasn’t super complicated.
I love how simplified and clear they made this story of Adam and Eve and of Jesus, about how we’re in a battle and what Satan does to attack us. I loved it because it brought it all to life and gave me things I’d never thought about before, like the 5 D’s, and I’m really drawn to learning about and sharing simple, universal truths like this. I especially loved the theme of all of human history as a story, a battle between good and evil, just like in movies. Epic movies like Star Wars, Superman, Harry Potter, they’re all a battle between good and evil and they resonate with us because this is the same battle we experience. I loved that because of how they tied it in to epic movies and just being reminded of this truth that we’re drawn to good and evil battles for a reason. I also liked hearing about how God gave Adam and Eve a choice. He didn’t have to, but true love is freely chosen, not demanded. That makes a lot of sense to me.
What’s something you disliked about it (and why)? I kind of wish they would have referred to the devil more directly. Maybe that’s bad to give him more emphasis or direct attention, I don’t know. Most of the time it feels like they referred to a general “evil” or “the enemy.” Which is okay. But he is the devil, his name is Satan and he has lots of demons on his side and doing work for him. I wish they would have been more clear about that because he is a real being, not just some distant force or enemy and it’s important to remember that when you’re in battle against him.
What was your biggest takeaway or lesson? One of my biggest takeaways was how they talked about our desire for greatness. I loved this part! We have this desire to be great because God gave it to us. Since we’re made in His image and likeness, and since He’s great, then that means He’s planted seeds of greatness inside us. Same with seeds of goodness and love. I loved this because I see how we all have a desire for greatness and it’s good and there for a reason, but many people don’t know that why we have it or how to become truly great. I want to share this.
A couple other big takeaways for me was when they talked about how love unites. I love this because it’s true… ultimately we are supposed to be fully united with God in Heaven! They also covered the question of why did Jesus have to die? Most superheroes don’t die! But it’s because the ultimate hero sacrifices for those they love. True love is sacrificial. God wanted us to know how much He loves us. I love this and also because, again, most of the great, epic movies have an element of the hero sacrificing themselves. Harry Potter does it. Frodo Baggins does it. Ultimately, Luke Skywalker does it.
I liked when it talked about how Satan makes us busy and distracted, focused on the wrong things. I can relate to this, it’s something I’m really struggling with right now. I also loved the line… Create more than you watch. This one means a lot to me because, especially in my prayer time, I spend too much time watching videos. Which aren’t bad! But I’m watching and observing too much. I need to create more.
What is something you’re curious to learn more about as a result of this experience? I’ve been finding, especially through my Dynamic Catholic Confirmation curriculum (Decision Point), that I’m really drawn to very simple, universal truths. And I have a big desire to share them with people. Things like how we all desire greatness, and that there’s a reason for that. Or how we all despise evil. Or how we are drawn to this sacrificial love. Also, how we are all happiest when doing the things that help us grow in holiness. I love how certain things are true for everyone and even if people don’t consider themselves Catholic, Christian or religious at all, they still have and know these things and that’s because God created us all and we’re all meant to be united to Him forever. This book had a lot of truths like this which I enjoyed reading about. I’m curious to learn more of them and about how I can share this with people.
Thank you for reading!
Lucy