All Bible verses are English Standard Version (ESV)
I’m not the type to remember what a specific character said but I can remember how they made me feel, look at my faith, or inspire me to be a better person. This happens a lot with the Amish romance I treasure but also with other Christian romances as well. I’m not naive and I do not think that these characters or their lifestyles are perfect, actually the best books show those with flaws, or that a happily ever after exists for everyone but the whispers of God that the authors pour into this writing speak to my soul. If you haven’t given Christian fiction a chance, I’m here to share how they just might be.
The Power of Redemption: Stories That Show God’s Grace
One of the things I love most about Christian fiction is that it depicts real-life scenarios with people of faith. These characters wrestle with past mistakes, struggle with doubts and fears, and sometimes even turn away from God’s love.
This was especially true in Rediscovering Christmas by Mindy Obenhaus. The main female character (MFC), Tori Stallings, had endured loss after loss, and because of that, she distanced herself from God. I felt particularly connected to Tori because the people around her kept saying things like, “Trust in Him,” “Just put your faith in God,” and so on. That frustrated—and honestly—angered Tori. I get that 100%. When our faith is wavering, the last thing we need is the equivalent of someone saying, “Suck it up, buttercup.” Instead, we need people to model faith, like Micah did for Tori. Sometimes, remaining silent can be a powerful teacher.
This book reminded me that it’s okay to question God and to have doubts and fears. As my pastor says, if you’re questioning God, you’re still in conversation with Him.
Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Trusting God’s Timing: Lessons in Patience and Faith
Sometimes, God’s timing is not our own. And when we try to force it or take matters into our own hands, we create struggles for ourselves. In Misgivings by Anne Gibson, Dee believed she could control God’s timing—taking charge of the situation and doing everything on her own. Every time she made a misstep, God was right there with her (even if she wasn’t paying attention). Only when He determined it was time did a divine intervention take place.
Many times in my life, I’ve taken matters into my own hands. I have two ex-husbands to prove that. When I met my husband (I hate saying current because he’s the one and he’s stuck with me), I wasn’t expecting him. Yes, I was attracted to him, but I thought that was it. Plus, he came with his own baggage. But the other thing he carried was deep faith. Twenty-five years later, I still see him kneel in prayer every morning.
I did get three wonderful children (from my previous marriages) when I thought I could control my own outcome, but I received so much more when I let go and listened to Him. These books are beautiful reminders of that—and sometime it’s what I really need.
Romans 8:25: But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Community and Fellowship: Faith Is Not Meant to Be Lived Alone
This is one of the top reasons I love Amish romance so much. It’s all about community—helping each other and working together for a common goal. Nothing showcases this better than Stitches in Time by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I read this book shortly after its publication in January 2020. Even though I wasn’t writing reviews then, the story stuck with me. So much so that when I turned on the audiobook last year to reread it during my daily walks, I started crying before the narrator finished the first paragraph.
There are many lessons in this book, but one of the central themes is how an Amish community rallied together to take in foster children—children who weren’t even of the Amish faith.
Fellowship and community are still things I struggle with. I’m an introvert who wishes I were an extrovert. On top of that, I have difficulty saying no until I feel overwhelmed and overburdened. This puts me in a black-and-white situation with my church community—I’m either all in or all out. Books like these help me see where I might be going astray and remind me to step back toward my faith family instead of running away.
1 Peter 4:8-10: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Love as a Reflection of God’s Love
Where would a romance be without love? However a good book has more than just romantic love—it also showcases love for family, friends, and community. That love is selfless, patient, and full of grace. Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer beautifully demonstrates love in all its forms. The best example of this is the relationship between Brynn Dixon and her son. They have a special and atypical bond that tugs at your heartstrings.
For someone who loves love as much as I do, it doesn’t come easy—unless you’re a cat. I need these books to inspire me to open up and trust, to let love in even when it might hurt or be difficult. The selfless, patient, and grace-filled love we extend to others should also be something we offer ourselves.
Romans 5:5: and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Strength in Weakness: Imperfect Characters, Perfect Savior
Struggling characters are the best characters. They reflect the turmoil that many of us feel. More than ever before the things of this world are in our face – on tv, the movies, social media and the news. Some of us have a harder time dealing with these things than others. We want what we can’t have, envy the curated story of someone on social media, or think that the Faith Journey Director at our church has everything totally together and wonder why we don’t. Okay, the last one is a personal example.
In Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt, by Milla Holt, Martha Falconer felt this way—and so much more. She thought physical appearance and fame would bring love, envied those around her, and lost sight of God in the process. But when she saw herself through the eyes of someone else, it was as if she had been awakened and made anew in that moment.
Many times in my life, I’ve pretended to be something I’m not. I’ve sought approval through actions rather than love. And, as I mentioned earlier, I’ve envied others without truly knowing who they are on the inside. Honestly, this struggle is always on rotation. Some things I just can’t navigate without a Bible and a good therapist.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
A Journey in Stories and Scripture
Christian romance provides not only a story but a reminder of God’s grace and power in our lives. It can touch the soul, bring tears, triumphs, and provide encouragement in a form that offers a little bit of escape. But what you see here is only a start to the things that Christian romance brings into my life, and hopefully yours.
How do your books speak to you?
Thank you to The Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday!
Carla's Book Crush 
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