It’s rare that I come across a book that I have to read over and over. There are a few, and I’ve found another one, “The Shack”.
My kiddos got this book for me for Epiphany this year, and I read it twice within the first 2 weeks I had it. I’m slowly pouring through it again.
I wrote about it here right after I got it, but since I’ve picked it up again I felt like I should mention it here. I keep going back to it for several reasons. The book is amazingly refreshing in some of the revelations it offers. It really makes me smile and laugh and cry and think.
The beginning of the book, while the hardest part of the book to read for me, sets the stage perfectly for what it is really all about. Tragedy meets eternity in this book, and you have to get through the tragedy to get to the eternity part. Mackenzie, the main character, goes through a terrible experience with his family. 4 years after his life is forever changed by tremendous pain, he finds himself right back in the middle of the area where the pain started. He comes face to face with the Shack… and face to face with God at the Shack. God works to break through Mac’s pain, and Mac is totally surprised by who he finds and how it makes him feel. He’s once again changed… (I’m not going to give it all away, so I better stop.)
Some critics have really torn “The Shack” apart, calling it sacrilegious, among other things. It has been much more controversial than I ever expected it to be. But all the people I know personally who have read it have really enjoyed it. (Maybe we’re all just a little weird in my circle!)
I would encourage you to have a look at “The Shack” whether you are a Christian or not. This book has been at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list for a while, and it’s worth a read, if for nothing other than to join into the discussion and take sides on the controversy it has stirred up.
I love “The Shack” and I know I’ll read it a dozen times or more. I hope you’ll at least read it once! 
