Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir. . . of Sorts
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Christian Books & Bibles
Book Type: Paperback
Bruce -
I usually run away from memoirs, mainly because I believe most of them to be pretentious cries for attention but this title peaked my curiosity. Early in this book Cron tells us his father is responsible for ruining his childhood. Cron was born into affluence, he name drops and brags about how important his father was and then complains bitterly when his father's drinking and inability to keep a job lands them in a middle class neighborhood. His anecdotes with which he hopes to illicit sympathy are rites of passage, a part of growing up that many readers will identify with, some with fondness or laughter. Cron does not find them amusing and seems slighted that he had to endure them. He was a kid with an inferiority complex that sought the acceptance of his peers and craved the approval of his father. Didn't we all?
He speaks of feeling like an outcast and them describes his many friends and the frequent keg parties he attended. He whines of how standoffish his dad was, how unapproachable and unaffectionate. He describes a postcard he received from his father while away on one of his many trips that said "Want to know a secret? I love you." He immediately laments that fact that his dad's love for him had to be a "secret". Seriously?
There is a poignant moment during Cron's spiritual awakening. He feels God speaking to him and saying, "I'm sorry for letting you down." He questions whether a mighty, sovereign God would actually say such a thing to a young boy. A wise older women tells him "Why wouldn't Jesus humble himself and tell a little boy he was sorry for letting him down if it would heal his heart?" Cron cries, "But if Jesus is perfect...?" The woman explains, "Son, love always stoops."
Another such moment is when Cron relates how his own son needed to him as he summoned the courage to perform a daring act and how he remained steadfast by his side. I wasn't sure if Cron was teaching a lesson on fatherhood or trying to convince himself and his readers that he is not the lousy father that his drunk dad was.
He speaks of feeling like an outcast and them describes his many friends and the frequent keg parties he attended. He whines of how standoffish his dad was, how unapproachable and unaffectionate. He describes a postcard he received from his father while away on one of his many trips that said "Want to know a secret? I love you." He immediately laments that fact that his dad's love for him had to be a "secret". Seriously?
There is a poignant moment during Cron's spiritual awakening. He feels God speaking to him and saying, "I'm sorry for letting you down." He questions whether a mighty, sovereign God would actually say such a thing to a young boy. A wise older women tells him "Why wouldn't Jesus humble himself and tell a little boy he was sorry for letting him down if it would heal his heart?" Cron cries, "But if Jesus is perfect...?" The woman explains, "Son, love always stoops."
Another such moment is when Cron relates how his own son needed to him as he summoned the courage to perform a daring act and how he remained steadfast by his side. I wasn't sure if Cron was teaching a lesson on fatherhood or trying to convince himself and his readers that he is not the lousy father that his drunk dad was.
