PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN - Vanessa Davis Griggs
BET/New Spirit
February 2004
SYNOPSIS: Griggs forges new territory in inspirational fiction with a novel about promises made and trust shattered, about the secrets that can tear families apart, and the power of faith to heal the self and those one loves.
INSPIRATIONAL FICTION: (4+)
REVIEW: PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN is a riveting, emotionally charged novel with spiritual depth which causes the reader to look beyond the surface to capture the true meaning of the promise which exists beyond Jordan. This novel grasps the attention of the reader from the opening pages, creating expectancy in their heart and satisfying that expectancy throughout the pages towards its climax.
‘The entrance of thy word gives light.’ This is seen with the biblical phrasing used by the author to introduce each chapter. This adds to the reader’s curiosity and raises their expectation towards the content of the chapter. Vanessa Davis Griggs does not disappoint as she lays a firm foundation in the use of her characterization and the running theme of love in its various forms throughout the novel. The title of the novel also adds to the depth of the novel. On the surface one sees Jordan as just a surname of a given character but when the spiritual meaning of Jordan is examined, it is recognized as the first obstacle the Israelites encountered and had to overcome in order to reach the promise land of Canaan. Therefore, the word Jordan becomes a symbol of an obstacle which must be overcome in order for each character to reach their promise land.
“..Haven’t you ever loved anyone so much, there was nothing you wouldn’t do to keep them from hurt…” These words created the character of Lena Patterson. Just as Jesus became the sacrificial lamb because of His love of mankind; so too did Lena become the sacrifice for the child she loved and held dear to her heart. Although not seen as a main character within the novel, her sacrifice molds and shapes at least two of the other characters and mirrors the life of one.
It is better to have experienced true love in one’s lifetime than never to have loved at all. For Richard Jordan, this is indeed the case. Within his life there is only one who could have his heart. It is he whom the writer chooses to carry the burden of the covenant. His faith is tested at the edge of the gushing waters of the Jordan; dare he believe that there would be milk and honey within his lifetime, dare he set aside the love for one woman and care for another. Jordan has to endure the walk of faith throughout the novel, finally able to realize the promise.
Like the epitome of the good shepherd, George Landris recognizes the necessity to seek out his flock from the scattered sheep, feed them on good pasture, bring them to a restful place, restore what is lost and strengthen that which is sick. He is portrayed as “a real man, strong and tender” who gives meaning to the life of many. Love flows through his veins but not for the one he has promised himself to. The beat of his heart resonates for one whom he cannot have and for that one he would climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest sea just to be sure all lies well with her. This creates a problem but it becomes his lifesaver as the real woman behind the mask is revealed!
The woman behind the mask is none another than Theresa Jordan. As the novel begins the reader sympathizes with this character but is soon jolted to the realization that in this character lays a self-centered, insecure woman who does not trust the love of her fiancé. The thought of competition shifts the masks the young lady has held dear. The past echoes through her dreams but her understanding is clouded, unresolved issues lead her to almost lose the one person that could have changed her life and almost destroy the life of another who only had her best interest at heart. She is a woman of high standards but even with this good attribute, her vision is still clouded, she judges the outside instead of the heart.
PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN reminds us that true, undefiled love suffers long, is kind, it envies no one, it does not seek to exalt itself above others and most of all it is sacrificial. Many a person searches for this type of love but never finds it. However, as Pastor Landris declares it can be found in God, who is able to walk us through the ‘Jordans’ of our life and take us into the promise land- the land that flows with milk and honey.