The Memory Quilt

by T.D. Jakes

A perfect Christmas for Lela Edwards this year would include the presence of her husband, her three daughters, and her favorite granddaughter, Darcie. They would each be happy, healthy, and properly married. But life doesn't always unfold in a perfect way, even for God-loving, churchgoing people like these. Lela's husband of fifty years, Walter, has recently passed, and the daughters now live in towns and states far from the Chicago neighborhood where they were raised.

Darcie is traveling to Missouri City, Texas, to be with her mother, not to Chicago to be with her grandmother, whom she expects to come down hard on her for deciding to divorce her husband and the father of her unborn child. Lela is upset and annoyed with Darcie and herself for breaking her own time-honored tradition of making a quilt to celebrate each family wedding. The quilt is still in separate pieces, and apparently so is the marriage of Doug and Darcie.

The Christmas season is about celebrating the birth and meaning of Christ; about the hope and inspiration that the story we revisit each year offers. So, as the days of the season progress, Lela participates in a Bible study group that focuses on the Virgin Mary. This is the cold season in Chicago and rough weather, literally and figuratively, is ahead for Lela, her family, neighbors, and fellow church members, but in the Scriptures are messages and guidance. If they heed the lessons of the Virgin Mary, they will learn from their mistakes and misjudgments of each other and find favor with God.

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Holiday, Christian, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Bishop T.D. Jakes is the author of the bestsellers God's Leading Lady; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; Maximize the Moment; The Great Investment; His Lady; Woman, Thou art Loosed (the film of which won the Best Film Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival) and He-Motions. His daily morning show The Potter's Touch and weekly broadcast The Potter's House air on Trinity Broadcasting Network and Black Entertainment Television, as well as in Europe and South America. Bishop Jakes is the founder and pastor of The Potter's House, one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation, where he leads an interracial congregation of more than 28,000 members. He lives in Dallas with his wife and five children.

Reviews

[❤Marie Gentilcore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay and it had a good message but I had a hard time connecting with the main character Lela, a cantankerous old woman.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just what I needed to get me out of my Christmas funk!

[Krystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am sad to report, I have found a Christmas novel I did not care for me. I had such wonderful high expectations when the cover said, "A Christmas Story for our times", however my expectations were not met. For me this story wasn't about Christmas as much as it was a sermon in someone else's life. I did not appreciate the grammar throughout but I think the grammar is what validated the phrase on the front of the book. I sure my evaluation differs from others but I will not be recommending this book, especially for the Christmas holiday.

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows an elderly, somewhat grouchy lady named Lela, who lives in Chicago. The neighborhood where she lives isn't as nice as it previously was when she moved there in the 1960's. But she manages on her own, with some help from her friend Barbara, who lives down the street.

The story begins near Christmas time, with Lela and her friend, Barbara, going to Bible study at her church. They are studying the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. At the start, Lela is judgmental, angry and lonely, as her children all live far away, and aren't coming to visit her for Christmas.

Lela must also deal with neighbors she disapproves of, including Deborah and her teenage son, who are renters that live across the street. When several attempted break-ins occur in her neighborhood, Lela blames the boy and she starts thinking about moving away. But her Bible study, her memories, and her experiences creating a Christmas quilt during the holiday season reawaken a sense of compassion, peace and acceptance in her towards others, including Deborah and her son.

I enjoyed this story and found it to be uplifting. At times, Lela could be curmudgeonly, but the book overall was a positive one about God's love at Christmas.

[Ashly Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the simplicity of this book. It was a relatable story that I feel like we can all learn from. Mary is someone that is underrated in the Bible in my opinion. I was happy that she got some shine. It definitely gave me much to think about. And to check my attitude.

[Nancy Ganzon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story dragged for me.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read some of T. D. Jakes inspirational books for women in the past, but This was my first experience with one of his novels. His main character, Lela, suffers from a common malady, especially at Christmas, of wishing her children were closer and called more often, even though when they do call, she is critical and harsh with them. Through a study of the life of our Lord's Mother Mary, Lela faces her own shortcomings, and by the end of the book, you will see her transformation into allowing the Lord to guide her thoughts and actions. I was particularly touched by a group of statements titled "Life Lessons on a Favored Person":
1) endures, even though she may be the center of gossip
2) doesn't need a man to fulfill God's plan
3) ponders things deeply before spouting an opinion
4) experiences God's mercy
5) praises no matter the circumstances
6) is still favored, even when a divorce is pending
7) is still obedient, even when he or she doesn't fully understand the situation
8) sometimes faces inhospitable people, pain and loss.
9) makes room for the Savior and anyone else God sends
10)sees the culmination of God's promises

A wonderful Christmas read to ground readers in what Christmas is all about.

[Lucy Bilik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a modern day novel in the ghetto with a very slow start. Reading about mundane events of everyday life for half a book was very boring to me however 2/3 of the story down the real things start happening. I love TD Jakes, however I think he needs help with catching attention of everyday person from the beginning of the story. Otherwise the meat/quality of the story is very good, great lessons learned.

[Carolyn Sill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, short read. The first part of the book had a lot of detail, time was slow. Toward the end, the climax of the book, time jumped forward and details were missing. Even so, there was a lot to learn from Lela, Barbara and the other characters. My thoughts have lingered over some of the events in this book, even days after finishing, I'm still struck by events that may be normal in some neighborhoods, but that I pray I will never have to experience.

[Maria E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up hoping to motivate myself to quilt again. I have always believed that truth is truth no matter where you find it, whether in your own religion or in others. This book is more about letting go of small petty hurts and about not jumping to conclusions. I loved the allegory of the motifs on the quilt to the life of the Virgin Mary. I really would have liked the main character to have done more for her own pregnant daughter as she did for the stranger across the street.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lela is trying to be in the Christmas spirit but her favorite granddaughter is not coming for their annual Christmas visit. Her friend accuses Lela of being negative. But Lela is worried about her granddaughter and the break-ins around her neighborhood and the kid down the street. A friend asks Lela to make a quilt for the angel tree but Lela doesn't want to do that. Instead she starts a quilt that follows the story of Mary as Mary started her life as the mother of Jesus.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lela is a stubborn and often negative 70-something grandma torn between what she wants and what her family members want for her. She turns to her Bible and studies Mary during the Christmas season, and gradually her whole attitude changes.

[Emespre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Lela's character annoying with her judgmental and negative nature, but this nature was a carefully constructed part of the story that was instrumental in the storyline. I loved the analysis of Mary's story and how it was parallelled with the lives of characters in the story.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know the author was trying to show how the main character changed but I really didn't like her. She was opinionated and judgemental and mean. It was interesting as she tied the story of Christ's birth to the blocks of the quilt and who she gave it to.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just wasn't my style

[Chelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

slow moving. wasn't impressed with the ending it just ended. No real wrap up of the story.

[Robin M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugggg. Got it as a stocking stuffer. 'nuff said.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for book club this month. Really loved it. This story has made me want to be less negative about life in general and has caused me to be even more grateful for my family.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

ended up skimming it.

[Jamie Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about a bitter old lady who finally sees the err of her ways. Mom and Mary Ann gave me this book on CD to listen to. Reminded mom of MawMaw. Very cute.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute story, easy reading. It never hurts to remind ones self of the important things in life. Like, compassion and forgiveness.

[Leo11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read during the holiday season.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

just ok

[NK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this book a lot. Good flow to this uplifting Christmas story with Chicago references.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Religious. Explores the possibility of saying yes

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Can be read in about an hour. A good Christmas story. Scripture references throughout the story.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ending!

[Jill K Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas story set in the south side of Chicago.

[Linda Breiding · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I enjoyed about the book is that the main character was an older lady which is unusual and it gives you an insight in their world.