Excerpt

 Emmy's Equal Discussion Questions: Marcia Gruver

1.     Too much time apart strains Emily Dane’s relationship with her father Willem to the breaking point. The added stress of a stand-in father figure in the person of the Dane’s handyman complicates the situation. Instead of feeling grateful for Nash’s intervention, Willem reacts badly. Why do you think love is so often tarnished by unworthy emotions like jealousy, possessiveness, and the tendency to be easily offended?

2.     Nash proves a godly and trustworthy substitute for Willem. Too often young girls seeking replacement fathers wind up in ungodly relationships and/or bad marriages. Why do you think the father/daughter relationship is so important to a girl’s self-esteem, especially in early development?

3.     Emmy’s stolen moment of intimacy with her comatose father demonstrates her deep need for his affection. How can a relationship with God fill the daddy-shaped hole in the heart of a fatherless girl?

4.     While searching for his identity apart from his Indian heritage, Diego “Isi” Marcello lands on the Twisted-R Ranch under the guidance of rancher John Rawson. Though he has his own motives, Mr. Rawson grooms Diego into a surrogate son. Having lost his father at an early age, Diego eagerly accepts the attention. How did God intervene to bring resolution to both their lives?

5.     Diego’s mother Melatha is a strong and often invasive presence in his life. Yet without her love and diligence in teaching Biblical truths to her son, what end might have come to the confused and headstrong young man? In what ways has God gifted single-parent Christian mothers to raise their boys?

6.     Cuddy Rawson’s father is present, but their relationship is rocky. John Rawson’s unrealistic expectations of his son have irrevocably damaged their bond. Cuddy, knowing he’s a disappointment to his father, sets out to prove him right. Without God to balance his life and give him self-esteem, Cuddy turns to alcohol abuse. How many people in your sphere of influence may be struggling with the same issues?

7.     Diego’s repeated attempts to lead Cuddy toward trusting God fail. Not until Cuddy’s father makes the first move by offering forgiveness and acceptance can Cuddy accept the same gifts from God. God also made the first move toward mankind by sending Jesus to ransom their souls. How does this relate to I John 4:19: We love him, because he first loved us?

8.     Emmy and Cuddy struggled with the notion of trusting a heavenly father because of their relationships with their earthly fathers. How important is it that parents, especially fathers, model God’s love to their children?

9.     Although God has transformed Emmy on the inside, her outward appearance and behavior don’t yet reflect these changes. How can we best show love and acceptance to new Christians who are still a little rough around the edges?

10.     Diego’s mother and the Rawson’s housekeeper leap to judgment of Emmy’s character based solely on her demeanor. Why are we so eager to slip people into neat cubbyholes instead of waiting to learn their true nature?

11.     Bertha finds in Darius Thedford a second chance for love. How is attraction and romance discovered late in life different from young, impetuous love? How is it the same?

12.     Thad was a larger than life presence in the lives of Bertha, Charity, Magda, and many others in Humble, Texas. How hard might it be for Darius to fill his shoes? How can the members of Bertha’s family help him to feel more accepted?