It's all about the Heart

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry

The Fiction Story

Truman Wiley is not a good man, he has many flaws. He is a bad father and a bad husband. His estranged wife and children would testify to that. He is also addicted to gambling, a problem that keeps him in a tight spot more than financially speaking.

Truman Wiley is really only good at one thing. He is a mighty fine journalist. He has the rewards to prove it. But that is not why his estranged wife, Ellen, contacts him with the absurd proposition of writing a book about a death-row inmate.

Terrelle Conley is a convicted murderer who wants to donate his heart to their son, Aiden, in exchange for a chance to tell his story. If you are curious as to how such a confusing scenario is possible, here is the rather simple rundown- Ellen, Aiden's mother, happens to have a personal connection to both the governor and the wife of the inmate.

Truman's work of retelling Terrelle Conley's story brings him closer to his family. He is surprised to be able to work side-by-side on the project with his daughter. He also finds an ember still burring with his wife. Sadly, he brings with him the implications of his gambling problem. On top of that, digging into the Terrelle Conley case proves to be dangerous and counterproductive in securing Aiden's new heart.

The story is sown neatly and cleanly throughout the three part book and at times you may find yourself asking, whose heart is this story about? Is it Adien's who has congenital heart disease? Is it Terrelle's, the inmate whose still claims innocence? Or Truman's, who is in need of reconciliation and much more? The you'll remember that stories are always about the main character.

The Gospel Story

It seems like everyone around Truman is a Christian, his wife, his son, the convict's wife, even the convict has “found God” in prison. None of that impressed Truman. What does impress Truman is the capacity his wife has to forgive and Terrelle Conley's willingness to hand his heart over to his son, especially when Tuman's research begins to indicate that he may in fact be innocent.

This is the avenue on which Truman Wiley encounters the gospel. Why would a stranger give up his life for another? It's true, Terrell was slated for execution and there was nothing he could do to avoid it, but the peace with which he approached his death, and the joy with which he offered his heart had an affect on Truman. Maybe Christ had more of a reality in life than he realized.

Every good story illustrates a change in the main character. The gospel does that too. Truman Wiley's change was drastic. WARNING. The rest of this blog comes very close to being a spoiler. If you already intend to read the book, stop here. Go get the book. If not, please continue.

Desperate to do the right thing, Truman takes action that ultimately concludes in two lives saved. Sorry if that ruined anything for you.

We are talking about the gospel here, so don't get the idea that Truman did a great deed from his own heart. His change can best be described by the verse that sub-titled the third part of the book.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.

I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26

A theme throughout the book appears to set up the concept that God can take something bad and bring something good out of it. i.e. Terrelle's death, despite the possibility of his innocence, will save Aiden Wiley's life. But something else happens. God does take something bad, (Truman Wiley) and puts something good into him (a new, tender, responsive heart) and the result is something greater. Hey, read the book to find out.

Favorite Line: "That would be just like God, to punish an innocent for someone else's sins." It was contained in the main character's inner-monologue, but what makes it such a great line is that ironically it was not a positive statement.

Looking for a good read? Try one of my own books or one of these Fiction Candle top recommendations.

Until next time, remember Christ, the author of salvation and the reader of our hearts.

#chrisfabry #LiteratureFiction #ContemporaryFiction #ReligiousInspirationalFiction