Title: Walk with Me: A Pilgrims Progress for Married Couples
Author: Annie Wald
Pages: 288
Year: 2012
Publisher: River North
Walk
with Me, an allegory, is a truly refreshing novel that is appropriate
for those preparing for marriage and those married. It is also beneficial if both husband and
wife read it to see what speaks to them.
As a wife of 24 years and counting, this allegory at times reminded me
of some of the seasons we have gone through as a couple. It would be good for pre-marital counseling for
couples so they can in story form catch a glimpse of different marital
seasons. Plus the couple can reread it
through their years of marriage and be reminded as well as counseled in story
form. Also, it would be good for a
couples study group so couples can share their experiences. It would serve as a way to access their
hearts, maybe helping them to share their joys and sorrows.
The allegory follows one couple from
before they meet, then as they travel the various routes in their journey to
the King’s City. The couple meets their
families on different parts of their journey and shows how they are influencing
the couples’ choices or decisions. During their travels, Peter and Celeste must
face their own strengths, weaknesses, and choices. Throughout the story, Scripture is shared in
a variety of forms that captures the traveler’s attention and touches the heart. While traveling, they meet different
characters that give both helpful and harmful instruction. The choice though as to whether to follow the
instruction is always with Peter and Celeste.
Beginning the journey is shown by how one
comes from Slouching City, the other Upright Village. Throughout their marriage, as is real today,
their views and choices are usually based on their upbringing, showing both the
similarities that may exist and the differences. The marital journey they take has many scenes
with many different characters. The
other part of this allegorical story is how one partner affects the other
partner by the choices they make, remarks made, behavior shown, and more. How realistic this is from my point of view
as I read this. What made it realistic for
me were the memories it stirred. Another
way was the points in the story where I felt convicted, prayed to change, and
where seeing an experience through Peter’s perspective helped me to understand
how we don’t all see with the same eyes or viewpoint. One way the allegory touched me was to know
the areas where I could put into words what my heart felt, and the allegory
expressed it so well.
I cannot encourage you enough to grab a
copy or copies to read, keep in your personal library or to give away. Maybe you might be able to touch the hearts
of those around you by giving them a copy of this as a present? Of course, no allegory or story can cover any
one couples’ lifetime of experiences, heart, thoughts or lessons learned, but
this was close.
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest
review of this book. The opinions shared
in this review are solely my responsibility.
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
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