One hundred years ago, the war to end all wars ended, leaving the world a very different place, and, ironically, setting the stage for the next world war. Geographic boundaries would shift and entire countries would be swallowed up or renamed, but even more seismic changes were at work in the spiritual realm as hearts were softened and minds were startled awake by the devastation and loss of life.
Oswald Chambers is best known for the classic devotional work My Utmost for His Highest, but some of his most important pastoral work happened against the backdrop of World War I as he ministered to troops stationed in Egypt. In A Poppy in Remembrance
A Story and a Message
Claire Meacham grew up to the staccato of typewriters and the echoing excitement
Ule anchors her characters in early 20th century England and France with vivid multi-sensory descriptions of honking taxis and rumbling horse drawn transports that combined for nose-assaulting bedlam — this along with an affluent socialite aunt who played bridge with “Clemmie” Churchill and a worship service in which Robert E. Lee’s disenfranchised daughter turns up veiled in black and wandering Europe.
Relevant Counsel from Chambers
Chambers’s counsel to Claire in her spiritual pilgrimage comes directly from the pages of his sermon notes, so not only does it ring true, but it applies to present day believers as well:
“I find it helps to brood on the unknown and let it sit in your soul.” (33)
“Sanctification means intense concentration on God’s point of view. Every power of body, soul, and spirit are chained and kept for God’s purpose.” (121)
Through Claire’s eyes, the reader experiences the heat, the lice, and the drills of soldiers deployed in Egypt and also the heartache and terror of the European front that hit close to home and left grief in its wake. With nearly 17 million deaths all tolled, many emerged from their experience of World War I without hope. Even the poppies that sprouted from soil churned by tanks and soldiers’ boots were taken as a symbol of the war and a sign that beauty can, indeed, survive ugliness, but lasting hope comes only through submitting one’s entire life to the God who already owns it.
Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the irreparable past in His hands, and step out into the irresistible future with Him.” ~Oswald Chambers (397)
Many thinks to the author for providing this book to facilitate my review which is, of course, offered freely and with complete honesty.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you should decide to purchase A Poppy in Remembrance
Photo of poppies by Monica Galentino on Unsplash
If you enjoy reading Living Our Days, subscribe to get regular content delivered to your inbox. Just enter your e-mail address in the field at the top of this page.
I link-up with a number of blogging communities on a regular basis. They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week. I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers.
Living Our Days 
Sounds intriguing. I love Chambers’ writings.
LikeLike
Me, too! I’ve been reading through My Utmost this year, and it looks as if I’m going to make it all the way through for the very first time.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for sharing, Michele.
LikeLike
Thank you, Corinne, for your encouragement!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing, this is very interesting to me.
LikeLike
I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know you’ve been reading!
LikeLike
Michele,
Any book that weaves in the words of Oswald Chambers is worth taking a look at. I love this “Sanctification means intense concentration on God’s point of view….” We always think there’s our point of view and their point of view, but reaching to see things through God’s eyes…now that’s growth. Love his words and sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing…
Blessings,
Bev xx
LikeLike
My only regret, Bev, is that I did not manage to get this book read and reviewed in time for Veteran’s Day. It would have been a perfect read for this 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.
LikeLike
I love a story with a message, Michele. How interesting that the author wove a story around the lives of real people she researched and wrote about previously – the Oswald’s. Your reviews are always so well done – now I have another book to add to my ‘to read’ list!
LikeLike
She also did a good job creating a cast of very believable characters to showcase the Oswald and Biddy. This was the book I read over Thanksgiving break, and it was such a vacation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
After so enjoying her Mrs. Chambers biography, I’ve got to check this out! What a creative idea. Thanks for sharing Michele!
LikeLike
When Michelle contacted me about the book, I thought it was a great idea too. She really did a great job with it.
LikeLike
I just finished reading this book also! It was everything you described so well. It seems that I always get so involved with characters in the fictional stories that I read, but this time it went even deeper, since the story was interwoven with favorite real characters. What a joy to find them living here again on your post today! 🙂 “Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ.” One of my favorite Chambers’ quotes. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas, Michele!
LikeLike
Yes, and it was fun to watch for little tidbits of Chambers wisdom here and there.
Thanks, Bettie, for your friendship. Blessings to you!
LikeLike
I read Oswald Chambers biography about 20 or so years ago and found it to be very interesting and inspirational, Michele. I’m sure that Biddy’s would be just as great a read! Thanks for sharing and I’ll be pinning!
LikeLike
Thank you,. Beth. I’ve heard good things about that bio, and I know Michelle Ule used it as a resource in her writing of this story.
LikeLike
I’ve only read Utmost from Chambers. This sounds good.
LikeLike
It was a really engaging read with a story that was challenging as well as encouraging. That’s saying a lot for a work of fiction!
LikeLike
I sometimes think Oswald Chambers does not get the recognition he deserves. Thank you for reviewing this very important book.
LikeLike
I certainly did not have much appreciation for his work until I read his wife’s biography. She did a great service to us in preserving and sharing his words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a good read. And I love the term sanctified imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure describes Michelle Ule’s vivid story telling!
LikeLike
I’ve been reading several books on the WW’s and one of the things that have been astounding to me is that a large majority of the military personnel died not from combat but from accidents. My husband was telling me that a report from the first Gulf War said the same thing. I can only imagine the need to be able to process all of that and a need for something more to cling to in the midst of all the madness. Visiting from #LMMLinkUp
LikeLike
That’s a sobering statistic, for sure. World War I showed the world what it looks like when you can kill a lot of people from a distance. Sadly, war has not become prettier in the past 100 years.
LikeLike
Wow. I love seeing when writers introduce God, who He is, and what He can do in a non-traditional way. Looks like an amazing story!
LikeLike
Yes, this was a great read in that way, describing the way God works within the days of one ordinary life in the midst of a world wide crisis.
LikeLike
What a beautiful Oswald Chambers quote! You have me intrigued about the biography on Biddy. (I remember your sharing it earlier in the year.) Will have to check out the Poppy in Remembrance book; it sounds like something I’d enjoy!
LikeLike
Poppy was pure enjoyment. I learned a lot, both about wartime Europe and the power of God to change lives, but the primary experience of reading the book was pure joy.
LikeLike
yeah, this right here –> “I find it helps to brood on the unknown and let it sit in your soul.”
i’m still in process of learning to sit with what is true … but not stay there so terribly long that it becomes burdensome.
always learning …
LikeLike
Great balance in that way of thinking, Linda. And I’m learning right along with you. Nice to have company in the process!
LikeLike
Michele, this sounds like such a good read. I love the quote from Chambers. I use My Utmost every few years as a devotional. Thank you for sharing about this book.
LikeLike
This has been my first time through the whole book, and I plan to use it again!
LikeLike
Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost …” was one of the first devotional books I ever read. It impacted me greatly at a time when my life was truly a mess! Thanks for sharing this review. As always, it makes me want to read it sooner rather than “someday.”
LikeLike
I’ve been so grateful for the wisdom and insight!
LikeLike
I love the wooed you shared by Oswald Chambers. There is hope in his words. This part is my favorite —-> Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the irreparable past in His hands, and step out into the irresistible future with Him.
May we let go of what is gone and look to the future knowing God is with us.
LikeLike
Rejoicing with you, Mary, in God’s Future Grace!
LikeLike
I have to admit, I hate stories of war – reading and even watching them. But this does sound intriguing! #GlobalBlogging
LikeLike
World War I was very gritty. I don’t blame you one bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another inspiring review. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup again this week.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and for sharing!
LikeLike
This sounds fascinating! I’ve been reading Rosanna White’s series that takes place in London during WWI, so this time period is of particular interest to me now.
LikeLike
It’s a chilling and yet fascinating period of history. So much death and destruction, and yet there is so much we can learn from it all.
LikeLike
Teacher, great post. You know I’m a huge Oswald fan. And, fascinated by the Great War, in which my Grandfather fought in. Again, I learned things.
LikeLike
Where did your grandfather fight? Mine was in England, and he was made an “offer” by an English lady who would have liked to have married that young Canadian guy, but his mum was home with a houseful of younger siblings and needed him there. Family history is so fascinating, and world wars really toss the apples up into the air!
LikeLike