Let’s just face it. Max Lucado is brilliant. Coming Home is yet another beautiful allegory from this talented writer who skillfully engages children while teaching them Biblical truths.
Fantastic life like paintings by Justin Gerard compliment this heartfelt story about Argo and Arion, twin brothers who are shipwrecked on an island and given very specific instructions by their captain to stay out of the forrests of Terrene while he is away.
The Captain tells them that he is going to a color-filled island that is alive and perfect for them. He promises to return and bring them there, but first they must wait and endure the temptations of Terrene and it’s dismal greyness.
The response of one brother is not without consequence as his color fades and he becomes like the forrest he was warned to avoid.
Will Arion be able to sway his brother back to the Captain’s side before his return? Will he be left no choice but to leave the island without his brother?
I loved the depth and message of this story and enjoyed sharing it with my children. My only disappointment was that Argo does make a bad choice and recovers at the last second, as the boat is leaving the shore. I found this sad.
I believe that the opportunity to be rescued from sin is there until the last second and that God’s will is that none perish, however, who wants to achieve forgiveness at the last second? Essentially Argo makes it by the skin of his teeth, a scary and avoidable position.
God’s mercy is HUGE. Yet, unfortunately, there will be people who don’t “come home”, but linger in the forrest. This is a reality. Admittedly, I’m not sure how you can tactfully present that concept to children, but I still felt it was an element that was important and lacking in this story.
This book is available at Crossway for $15.99.
*In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission Rules please note that Coming Home was provided for review by the Crossway Book Review Program.
Novelized 