Title: The Greatest Miracle in the World by Og Mandino
Book Beginnings quote:
The first time I saw him? He was feeding pigeons.
Friday56 quote:
"Mister Og, the individual who made the remark must be a very stupid and unworldly person. Remember what I told you about the thoughts that a man thinks and how they affect his actions and his life. I agree that reading any twenty-minute message by itself, once, will do little good. But, reading that same message each night, before you go to sleep, opens many hidden passages in your mind... and throughout the night those ideas seep into all levels of your being. Next day, when you are awake, unconsciously you begin to react, almost imperceptibly at first, to the message you imprinted on your brain the previous evening. Slowly, day by day, you change... as the message transforms itself from words and ideas to action and reaction on your part. It cannot fail, providing you read and imprint each night."
Summary: Og Mandino was an inspirational speaker and writer. This book is written as if the events in it really happened to him but I choose to believe that the story in The Greatest Miracle in the World is really a religious allegory with Simon, the Ragpicker. representing the Christ-figure.
In the story Og Mandino meets Simon once on a snowy day when he can't get out of the parking garage because the bar won't stay up. Simon comes to help him by holding up the bar so he can drive out. When he turns to thank his helper, Simon has disappeared. Later the two me form a friendship and Simon encouraged Mandino to read the God Memorandum he has typed up. They are just 20 pages and should be read every night for a month. Simon assures Mandino if he does this that his life will start to change for the better.
Review: I am the librarian for my church's little library. I started this role just a few months before COVID lockdowns so I haven't done much to clean up and organize the collection. But I did take one quick pass and pulled out books I thought were outdated, too ratty, or no longer appealing. I pulled this book, The Greatest Miracle in the World, because there were two copies and the book is old, first published in 1975. Time for a heave-ho. But something told me to take it home and read it first. Boy am I glad I did. The book is a gem. First, the relationship between Og and Simon is wonderful example of how friendships can be formed and nurtured. Secondly, if you believe it is an allegory as I do, it warms my heart to think that God loves us so much he would send his Son or someone to give us good advice on how we can and should live our lives.
The memorandum from God is indeed life-changing, life-assuring stuff and I believe if I were to read it every night for a month it would indeed start changing my life for the better. It starts with this:
Take counsel. I hear your cry. It passes through the darkness, filters through the clouds, mingles with the starlight, and finds its way to my heart on the path of a sunbeam.And it ends with:
Wipe away your tears. Reach out, grasp my hand, and stand straight. Let me cut the grave cloths that have bound you. This day you have been notified: YOU ARE THE GREATEST MIRACLE IN THE WORLD.Pretty powerful stuff.
After I read the whole book I decided to return it to the church library and have decided that I need to recommend that we read this book as a church book club selection. There is a pretty good chance that most gals in the club won't have read it before because it was published so long ago. It would generate a great discussion for sure. See if you can find a copy of this gem languishing in your library. It is very short, just 120 pages. I recommend it highly.
-Anne
Will people have trouble finding copies of it since it's so old?
ReplyDeleteProbably. But the church library has two copies and you know me, I love the hunt.
DeleteThis seems like a fascinating book. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of thoughts and messages affecting our lives. So true! Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “MOTHER MAY I”
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it will be the perfect church book club pick. It's a good thing you paused before tossing it and decided to read it instead. It's as if it was meant to be!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Anne!
Sounds like a thought-provoking read!! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an inspirational read. Hope you enjoy
ReplyDeleteI liked it a lot. Though it was confusing the way it was written as though it really happened. Maybe it did.
DeleteNow this is why I can never actually complete a culling and decluttering regime, because I pull books off the shelf, put them in the charity shop pile, then think 'Oh! that sounds interesting' and by the time I have finished, the book is back on the shelf again!
ReplyDeleteSome of the older books are definitely timeless and the best and the good news is, your book is still widely available on Amazon if you have more than a couple of ladies who want to read it at the same time.
I really enjoyed reading all of your quotes and extracts, they certainly made me stop and think, thank you for sharing :)
I like going to library book sales - it's been ages since I've been to one - but sometimes you could find real gems.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
Sounds like an interesting one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a great and inspiring read. Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's such an amazing way to encounter a book and it just hammers home how important libraries are! Although it might not be entirely my cup of tea I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for dropping by my post and I hope you're having a lovely weekend :)
ReplyDelete