East of Eden

Six months ago I devoured John Steinbeck’s mythic tale, East of Eden.  Steinbeck creates fantastic and believable characters in a larger than life sort of way.  He even gives one of his characters a horse named Doxology.  Doxology is only the most amazing name for a horse ever. I really must buy a horse just to name it Doxology.  Anyway, some of you may remember Liza Hamilton.  If not, allow me to introduce you to her.  Liza is a small, strict woman with a rigid set of moral standards.  Life is black and white for Liza Hamilton.  On one occasion, in the book, Liza’s husband Samuel stays out all night hanging out with some neighbors.  Now, Samuel was not out doing anything scandalous but was just out later than Liza deemed appropriate.  The next morning Liza disapprovingly chides Samuel, saying, “Maybe you can find it healthy to rove all night, but the Lord God will do what He sees fit about that.”  Now I am not interested in discussing whether or not the fictional Liza was justified in her conviction.  What I am most interested in discussing is the narrator’s comment immediately after her rebuke:

“It was well known that Liza Hamilton and the Lord God held similar convictions on nearly every subject.” (Penguin Books, East of Eden, 178)

The narrator’s quip is both amusing and illuminating, don’t you think?

I have all too often discovered myself assuming that God thinks similarly to me on a variety of subjects.  If I am in a fight with Colin, I might say something like, “Well, why don’t you pray about that?”  Hmmm, I’m pretty sure that what I really mean is, “I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to testify that you fully agree with me that God is on my side in this argument and not yours.”

Sometimes we get so overconfident in our understanding and knowledge of God that we simply assume all of our opinions are synonymous with His heart.  We seem to think that if only we knew Scripture word for word then all of our thoughts and opinions would be in continuity with God’s own. There are so many problems with this assumption, not least of which is the sin in our hearts that causes us to, at times, misunderstand or misappropriate the Scripture that we have so impeccably memorized.  Now, this is not about disparaging knowing the Bible or memorizing Scripture. This is about resisting the assumption that if we know the Bible well we can co-judge with God.

The other day as I was scrolling down my twitter feed I read a tweet by one of our siestas, Fran Thomas.  She typed the following:

“Just because you have the gift of discernment doesn’t make you right all the time.” And then she wrote in parentheses: “talking to myself.”

Her tweet was a gorgeous reminder and it took me back to the Liza Hamilton in myself. Thanks for that word, Fran, if you are out here in these interwebs today.

The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. Deuteronomy 10:17

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281 Responses to “East of Eden”

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Comments:

  1. 51
    Kimberly Mason says:

    no human can be right about everything in scripture even when we are trying our best to interpret it – i think that is one reason we have so many denominations (no one denomination is correct about everything) in the church!!! it keeps us humble to remember this (and like your mom always says Lord please help me to humble myself – i.e. please don’t let me get to the point where you have to humble me!!!!) it always helps to have friendly reminders from friends too! thanks Melissa!

    sounds like an interesting book. i really want a dog so maybe i should get a really big one like a saint bernard and name him doxology. 🙂 blessings!

  2. 52
    Tanya says:

    Thank you for the reminder!
    Proverbs 10:14 says:
    “Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.”
    As I read that one day several years ago, I added the following:
    “I don’t always have to speak what I know about something, sometimes keeping my mouth closed is a good thing!”
    Can you tell I’ve had some similar issues with my tongue?
    🙂
    Tanya

  3. 53
    Becca says:

    Favorite fiction book..EVER.

  4. 54
    DigiNee says:

    Getting the book immediately for my Kindle! Thanks for the excellent and succinct post – right to the heart!

  5. 55
    Traci says:

    Thank you Melissa. I needed this blog today. Not so much for my relationship with my husband, but with my relationship with my twin sister. I often find myself saying,”God, she SHOULD….” I’m off my doxology now. THANKS.

  6. 56
    Melissa May says:

    I love that quote about Liza and God. Oh, dear.

    I found myself thinking about something else dangerous this week: when my husband and I agree about things! Specifically when if we’re in agreement about problems we see around us. It’s easy enough to think I’m right but even easier when I have someone I respect agreeing with me. And just because he and I agree doesn’t mean we are right and everyone else is wrong! (Lord, have mercy on us!)

  7. 57
    Terry says:

    Excellent post, Melissa. Hit me right between the eyes.

  8. 58
    Susan B says:

    What a great reminder that God’s thoughts are higher than ours!

  9. 59
    Paige Szajnuk says:

    Nice . . . thanks for the reminder. I love the way you write, by the way. So thoughtful; so relevant.

  10. 60
    Casey says:

    Dear Sweet Melissa,

    Girl, you are preaching a Word straight to my “never wrong” heart! Love you for it!

    Casey
    Fort Pierce, FL

  11. 61
    Sara G says:

    Thanks Melissa for this post!

  12. 62
    Dixie says:

    Amen siter….I am always suspicious of the person or minister who too frequently uses the phrase…God or the Lord told me….seems too often a way to make absolutely sure no one disagrees lest they find themselves disagreeing with God Himself. For the most part I find I almost always have the mind of God on things (JUST KIDDING!!!!!!Don’t we all!)

  13. 63
    Christy says:

    Great post. Really does hit home. I thoroughly enjoy your posts. They always make me stop and think. And def apply! (as my husband will gladly tell you)

  14. 64
    Makes me wonder says:

    Since God’s timing is always impeccable, I’m wondering about the timing of your post. I’ve come to know about a situation in which some folks are interpreting scripture one way and I just can’t see how they get there. I’ve been studying, seeking, and praying that God would open my mind so that I might understand the scriptures. If that sounds familiar, it’s because I’m currently doing “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place.” I do not want to be proud or boastful; I don’t want to be a know-it-all, but I do desperately want to understand His word, especially as it applies to this situation. I would greatly appreciate your prayers in this matter.

  15. 65
    mariel says:

    EXACTLY a word I needed tonight…thanks!

  16. 66
    Deb Weaver says:

    My friend always says, “Christ didn’t come to take sides but to take over.” Good reminder! His way is always right. His thoughts are higher and deeper than ours!

  17. 67
    Heather says:

    Beautifully written, Melissa! I can really identify with this…and it sure doesn’t take long for me to be humbled about it either unfortunately! 🙂

    Have a splendid weekend!
    Heather

  18. 68

    You are so right on girlfriend!

    But truthfully, I do still like to be right.

    I’d better go pray about that.

    🙂

  19. 69
    Radical Abandonment says:

    Loved this post. How true!

  20. 70
    Dora says:

    God led me to him 2 yrs ago. Before then I was a Christian but always wanted to have a deeper relationship with Him but each time I tried, I met people who “preached” to me, making me feel like they were right and I was wrong. Moreover, I felt like they had developed their knowledge of God and the scriptures, and I hadn’t – so God must be on their side, not mine. A big turn-off to feel “less than.” You see, I am not stupid – I am an educated woman with 3 degrees and a management job. What I needed was to truly learn the bible and learn what God wants from me. One day, God led me to people who helped me do that. When I met these humble angels, I was affirmed that I could be humble (which is truly the way I am) and should not be made to feel “less than.” Thank you God for loving me that much!

    Melissa – your blogs are truly inspirational. Your writing – but more than that – your thoughts, are nothing short of homeruns each and every time. You are inside our heads, woman!

    • 70.1
      Joy says:

      Dora, your comment is so convicting. It made me aware that in my quest to be a godly woman, and respected as such, that I have had an air about me that could make others feel “less than”. Pray for God to change me.

    • 70.2
      Dawn, Pottsville says:

      Dora, my Pastor always says, “God doesn’t lead you to a place…He leads you to a “people”.” I believe that. When you’re around the right people, they will minister to you and you to them and Christian growth is the result. When I read your blog I thought of this. Luv ya Siesta!

  21. 71
    Sabrina says:

    I read East of Eden last summer after my 20 year daughter recommended it to me. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for your insights. It is always a pleasure to hear from you.

  22. 72
    Julie says:

    This was a great post – thank you! I loved East of Eden. If you haven’t read The Winter of Our Discontent and also Travels With Charley, try those next. The latter is funny and a good one for dog lovers. But still pure Steinbeck. 🙂

  23. 73
    Dena Masterino says:

    Preach it sister! If that isn’t a truth I need to hear daily (if not every moment), I seriously do not know what is.

  24. 74
    ginny says:

    This hit me right where I’m living today, Melissa. Thank you so much!!

  25. 75
    Chesney says:

    Wow. Loved this. What a beautiful post, and what a beautiful heart!

  26. 76
    Siesta OC says:

    Oooo girl! What a great post. I absolutely love your honesty, especially about you giving Colin a chance to get to the right side. 🙂

    What a great point. So often we see sides and naturally we see ours and just assume GOD is on that side. So important to realize He is for the good of all.

    The scripture came to mind, We fight not flesh and blood, but principalities. (Eph 6:12)

    It seems like the enemy is dying to stir us up to do the work so that he can sit back and say she’s doing it herself.

    Our flesh becomes dominent and we lose sight of GOD’S way which usually includes us in a good way.

    Great post! Smarty Pants!

  27. 77

    Powerful to me! Thank you Melissa!

  28. 78
    Ashley says:

    Ouch…stop it 😉

  29. 79
    Sue says:

    Whew! Speakin’ to me!

  30. 80
    Robin Wight says:

    Melissa,
    I have a a wonderful neighbor who suggested this book to me….of course it is a classic, but I have never read it, which is a travesty b/c I am 35….anyway, I am so glad you brought this up….I’ve had it in the collection, but I have yet to “put on my big girl panties” and dive in….I am going to read with a good perspective. Thank you for your intellectual insight on subjects.
    Blessings!
    Robin Wight

  31. 81
    Debbie says:

    Well, Miss Melissa, don’t you have a sweet little way of holding a mirror up in front of me. :0) Bless you, real good for that, girl!

  32. 82
    Emily says:

    Now there was a word I needed to hear today…what a powerful reminder that GOD is GOD and I am not!

  33. 83
    Joyce Watson says:

    Well, there is such thing as being “humble” and praying, instead of strife. It almost sounds like a Mary and Martha story only with a man and wife.
    *** Salvation is not about what I do, it is about what Jesus did.
    When we think we are right and everyone else is wrong attitude__we usually end up eating our own words, the devil takes a foothold in our lives and we end up in the pit. Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to others and to you about the matter. But, how many couples really stop and pray about things, before they have already said something hurtful?
    We can be so wrong, when we think we are right. Sometimes, God has a different plan. God has no limit.

    What are you doing reading John Steinbeck, isn’t that an old book, how funny…I can’t believe it, Melissa you have some good thoughts here!

  34. 84
    Brittany says:

    I was so excited to see the title of this post! East of Eden is in my top ten favorite books. It’s one of those stories that I found myself literally nodding in agreement with as I turned each page. That’s strange to say about a fiction book, but he had so much to teach through the characters and their lives. For each individual in the story, there is someone in my life that I could connect them to, including myself. It was as if Steinbeck was writing my story…with different events and names, but still the same story, nonetheless.

    Thanks for your insight in the book. I’ve been thinking about reading it again soon.

  35. 85
    Fran says:

    Sweet Melissa…
    The Lord is still “on me” about all of this discernment stuff! I have learned that I was all but covered up with some pride and arrogance and calling it discernment. It wasn’t looking so cute and then He hit me with the hard truth as I sipped my sweet tea at McAlister’s. 😉

    I have been wrestling through something for quite some time and wondering if I was just dying to be right or was this feeling truly from Him. Well…guess what happened in bible study this morning as we watched your sweet momma teach the “True” portion of Deeper Still’s “Faithful, Abundant, True?” She opened up with a word from John and the teaching was all about discernment!!!! Sweet mercy Lord this is for me! How timely of Him.

    If anyone is wondering about discernment over a matter or relationship, I HIGHLY SUGGEST finding the last two sessions from this bible study. Hopefully its available online somewhere. Just what I needed.

    Love you all so much and I am so thankful to do life with you via this blog and twitter. 🙂

    Happy weekend Siestas! May our spiritual guts be strong in Him! 😉
    Fran

  36. 86
    BeachSC says:

    I’m always humbled at how God works to bring needed clarity in certain situations, and to bring self examination in such subtle, yet profound ways. Thanks for sharing this. I needed it today.

  37. 87
    stillanon says:

    I especially like the “It was well known” part of the narrator’s quip!!!!! hmmmmmmmmmmmmm…now that’s embarassing!

  38. 88
    kerri says:

    I can be such a “right-fighter”…it’s in me to desire to be right more than to desire to be content at times! I find myself asking God to help me see my heart for what it really. He is so gracious to bridge the chasm of who I am and who He’s created me to be!

  39. 89
    Rachel says:

    Ah, yes. We women have a lot in common with Eve sometimes. It is an ugly trait to say the least, presuming to know the mind of God for others, especially since I spend so much time in my prayer-life asking for His mind’s eye, so that I may understand His will for me!

  40. 90
    jan says:

    Thank you! You spoke straight to my broken heart!
    I need to hear HIM more and less from me!
    Thank you my sweet friend! janf

  41. 91
    Linda Eddy, Thompsons Station says:

    Wow! Oh my! Wow! Oh my! Wow! Oh my!… I’m astounded at the wisdom here and then horrified that I see myself! (But thanks, I really needed that!)

  42. 92
    Tina Marie says:

    Melissa, your musings remind me of this article over at CTMagazine … not so much what you said, but how you said it. Thanks for sharing!

    http://bit.ly/fAONF1

  43. 93
    jewelsbb says:

    Thanks for the word Melissa…you’re as real as it gets.

    Love,

    Liza xo

  44. 94
    Lavonda says:

    Good word. Such a good word.

  45. 95
    Grandmamitz says:

    Soul-stirring post. I needed this.

  46. 96
    Michelle says:

    You’re stepping on my toes! I have a tendency to always assume I am right–and my hubby would definitely attest to that.

    That book has been sitting on my bookshelf for years and I’ve never read it. Bought it one day at a yard sale or something, probably liking the way I felt smart just by buying it! hahaha Maybe I should crack it open and take a read. Might learn a thing or two about myself! Thanks for the post.

  47. 97
    Jana says:

    I love that post, most interesting. Thanks.

  48. 98
    Toni Lizana says:

    Good word to me this morning. I find myself “worrying” about other people and their choices because they don’t seem “right” to me. Ha! This was just confirmation to me that I need to leave it alone and pray and let them and God work it out instead of trying to help them to “see”…
    Also, been looking for a good book to read…thanks.

  49. 99
    Carol says:

    Thanks for that post, Melissa! It reminds me when I was much younger and always felt that I was right! (comes from being the eldest of four). Being in God’s word has helped humble me as well as your Mom’s bible studies!

  50. 100
    Patty says:

    That was a good word, from you and my friend Fran. I also wanted to tell you that the verse you quoted at the end is my SSMT verse right now.
    Love,
    Patty

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