Confession Time

First: Jody, my cyber writing accountability friend, I totally failed this week on getting anywhere near my word count. But somehow I don't feel too guilty. I think I needed the break.

You see, everyone, I posed yesterday's question for a very good reason. I got caught up in several good books that tell one amazingly inventive, creative, imaginary, fictitious, mythical world, and I'm not sorry one bit for the experience.

Yes, on the very rare occasion that little annoying editor in my head would prop up and say things like: "Too much introspection, let's get on with the action.", "Oh, come now, Mrs. Meyer, that would have made a wonderful scene. Why tell? You should have shown." Then my own mind would answer: "Take a look at the size of these books, Eileen. She had to tell some!" But, honestly, this happened very rarely, as I was engrossed in the read majorly.

All in all, Mrs. Meyer took me for an amazing ride with her Twilight Series. (Disclaimer: I'm not quite finished Breaking Dawn , but I may be by the time scheduler posts this.) It's difficult to break myself away from this story that trumps all just to write this confession, I admit. Perhaps it's because it's written in an imaginary world that I find it so interesting. The creativity and imagination tapped to create this fictitious world in Twilight, and yet relate it to the earth we walk on so well, is amazing to me.

If your teenager is mature enough to read fiction for fiction, knows the difference from reality, then you may want to see what these books are about and judge for yourself if your teenagers are ready for such an imaginative read.

Why am I so enthralled with this series? Let me try and state a few.

• Abstinence. Though the story reason isn't the same as the one I give my children, it still leads to the same result. Not until after marriage. And Edward does think the same way as me, it would seem, at least at one point in the series. Wait because God advises us to. For my teenage daughter's reading, this is a major bonus to this secular series.
• It portrays measures of unconditional love. At least, as close to an unconditional love that the majority of humans can truly offer. And it offers this concept in various threads of the story, not just the romance one. Huge bonus! We are definitely more selfish in nature than selfless. Hence, why Jesus, our Savior lives. Again, if your teenager is mature enough, they might read this between the lines.
• The question of one's soul is addressed throughout. Though we're talking mythical, fictional characters here, any referencing to the importance of a soul is a good thing in my mind. It might spark questions to our teens. A desire for them to seek some counsel from God-fearing, God-loving children of our Creator in their real world, too. I'm all for that connection.
• There is no graphic description of the act of sex in at least the first half of Breaking Dawn after Belle and Edward are married and try. We get a before and after look at Belle's nerves, anticipation, and finally, reaction, but that's all. So refreshing in a story written for the secular market. (Again, I reserve the right to change my mind on this if Meyer's doesn't stick to her first depiction styling throughout the rest of the book.)
• And to wrap this list up, though I could find many other reasons for enjoying this series, I really value the hope this series offers in regard to breaking down the enemy lines in our lives. It is our perception of the enemy that keeps them the enemy in many cases. If we allow ourselves to see the good in those who seem so opposite and opposed to us, peace may be viable and even rewarding.

Anyway, that's why my writing was slim pickings this week. I needed to rest in someone else's creation of a fictional world, and just be mostly entertained for once.

Surrendering to Him,

Eileen