Interfaith Inspiration: A Baptist-Muslim Love Story
Our second Saffron Cross anniversary reflection comes from Sarah Amick, who hails from the Christian tradition and is engaged to a Muslim. Sarah shares her first encounter with the book and how it’s help her realize that a happy, successful interfaith marriage is possible. Thanks for your thoughts, Sarah!
Friends: please read, share, and post any questions/comments for Sarah below.
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As someone who has dearly loved stories and reading for as long as I can remember, I am unable to count the number of books I have read over the years. I am unable to list all that have deeply moved me or describe how each has forever changed me. However, certain ones have touched me and affected my life in ways I will never forget. Saffron Cross is one of those.
I’ve tried to remember, but simply can’t recall how I first heard about Saffron Cross. I must have seen it somewhere while browsing online. Whatever article I saw captured my attention enough for me to add it to my goodreads.com “to-read” list on October 30, 2013. Then on December 9, I placed an order through Amazon and received my copy of Saffron Cross a few days later. I remember wanting to read it immediately, but didn’t start it for about a month. According to my goodreads account, I finished reading it on March 9, 2014, but I was definitely not done thinking about it then!
Sometimes it’s hard to tell which books will be the most meaningful, and often those are not always the most enjoyable or easy to read. Saffron Cross was both incredibly meaningful and wonderfully enjoyable for me. I laughed, I cried, I reflected, and I felt moments of intense closeness to God. I also felt like I really got to know Dana and Fred and truly connected with their story. I had never read a book that was so real, so honest, so hilarious, and so thought-provoking!
I immediately began sharing this book, and wanted everyone to read it and experience Fred and Dana’s story just as I had! However, I was interested in it on a slightly more personal level than others. Like Dana, I was raised in a Christian family and have mostly attended Baptist churches. I always assumed that I would marry a Christian man who shared and practiced the same faith as me. However, in recent years, I slowly became more understanding and appreciative of other belief systems and religions, and even open to the idea of marrying someone of another faith tradition.
I am happy to share that I am now engaged to the most kind, loving, and honorable man I have ever known. He also happens to be Muslim. We are grateful to God for bringing us together as friends first, and are looking forward to spending our lives together as husband and wife. Thanks to Saffron Cross, and Dana and Fred’s example, I am even more convinced that a successful and joyful interfaith marriage is possible. All we need is love, respect, commitment, and most of all, sincere faith and trust in God and each other.
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Sarah Amick is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, where she received her B.A. in English in 2003. Her work experience includes over 15 years in both public and academic libraries, which is fitting for a book-loving English major. Sarah lives in Richmond, VA where she works and studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently pursuing a degree in Religious Studies and International Studies with concentration in Social Justice, and a minor in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. Sarah’s other interests include ringing in her church’s handbell choir, attending cultural festivals and events, visiting museums and gardens, and traveling. She loves to curl up in a comfy chair with her cat, a cup of tea or coffee in hand, and, of course, a good book. She and her fiancé also enjoy taking walks, sharing meals, watching PBS, and reading together.
Don’t forget to download the Kindle version of Saffron Cross, on sale this week for only $2.99! (That’s $13 off the print list price). Hurry! This offer ends Friday.