Book Discussion - Making Waves

As Katy said in an earlier post, we are changing up our schedule for this quarter. Now our book discussions will take place only once a week, on Wednesdays,  and along with that we are changing up what our book discussion posts look like. So, here we go! 
Making Waves: A Novel (Lake Manawa Summers)This week the book discussion is going to be based on the book Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad.
In the story, Marguerite thinks that lying is acceptable because it’s somehow what God wants for her, and if she is ever going to accomplish her dreams it is necessary. Most of us while reading this book are like “What? You are so wrong here…” But how often do we do things wrong and justify them by thinking that God would be proud of us because it’s helping us achieve what we believe is a priority?

Since in this book Marguerite has a problem with lying, this book discussion will focus on that.



Proverbs 21:6, "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death."
This verse clearly states that attempting  to get what you want(treasures) by lying is vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Vanity, according to dictionary.com is excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, and achievements. So, it is vain to lie to inherit treasures.

Colossians 1:9, Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

Well this verse obviously proves it’s wrong to lie in God’s eyes, especially since God doesn’t lie(Hebrews 6:18) and we are to be like God(John 6:33).
Now let’s look at the book.

Marguerite is under the false impression that God is okay with her lying because He understood why she was doing it, as I stated earlier.  But the results of her deceitfulness get her little. In fact, it causes her strife. She almost drowns and looses the respect and affection of the man she is quickly falling for. Sadly, first time trouble isn’t enough for Marguerite and she continues in her folly, still under the assumption that God backs her up because of her reasonings. Not only is Marguerite lying to others, but she is lying to herself by believing this! The selfishness that she doesn’t seem to realize she is displaying is ruining the relationships she holds dear. Trip is continually a victim to the lies that Marguerite speaks. But then Marguerite gets what was coming to her…
Trip discovers her lies, and as a result of that, can no longer trust her. Anything she says is counted for as a lie by Trip, which aggravates Marguerite who obviously doesn’t realize why he doesn’t trust her since she said that she’s sorry. And then lies again.
By 2/3 way through the book, Trip can’t trust a word Marguerite says and Marguerite is learning that lying is wrong – no matter what the motives are. But lies have a lasting mark on the people they’ve been told to, and Marguerite now has to earn the trust of the people she knows all over again, which is a long and difficult journey.  But, by the end Marguerite has learned the importance of truth.
Ephesians 4:15, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ"
So here are a few questions to ask yourself…

1. Is lying beneficial in the long run? Will you be happy you spoke the lie that was on the tip of your tongue 10 years from now?

2. Does your family, friends, or co-workers appreciate the false accounts?

3. And most importantly, is your lying glorifying God in anyway?







3 comments:

Diane said...

Just wanted to say, I love the snow falling across the screen. Really neat! :O)

Unknown said...

Thank you Diane! We were actually about to take it down...but because of your comment, we will wait until the the end of February. :-)
Thanks!

- Kait

MaureenT said...

I can look out my window to see the snow! Winter isn't half done yet...yuck!
I loved this book. Marguerite is delightful, but those lies sure got her in a lot of trouble. Think she ran into a brick wall. God was showing her that she needed to follow him and stop the lying!
Lies hurt...I've had some that were told to me, and came back to hurt. That is where forgiveness comes in!

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