THE MASTERPIECE by FRANCINE RIVERS

THE MASTERPIECE is one of the most beautiful and inspiring novels I have read. It is FRANCINE RIVERS at her best! It is always worthwhile waiting for her books as they never disappoint!
Every character is so realistically portrayed that we can literally feel what they are feeling.
It is a powerful story in which we see how God, the loving Father, not only speaks to His children to encourage, lead and guide them, but also, by His amazing grace, orchestrates circumstances in order to save them from destruction. It is made very clear that we have a choice to make if we do not want to end up in hell! It is the Gospel message played out in a modern setting.
Roman Velasco and Grace Moore are very different but they both have been badly wounded and broken by the past.
Roman grew up as Bobby Ray Dean living in the Tenderloin with his prostitute mother, who died of an overdose when he was seven. He escaped from one foster home after another, joined a gang and became their tagger, venting his anger in painting gang graffiti on buildings. He cannot get over his mother's death, and the death of three of his gang member friends, making him afraid of getting close to anyone again. He is caught and sent to the Mastersons, who take in young delinquents, instead of being sent to prison. What he learns there makes a big difference in his life.
Grace has.found it hard to get over the horror of her parents' death which also happened when she was seven. She is badly treated by her husband but somehow blames herself for the break up of their marriage, until she realizes he was using her, which makes her angry with herself. She was brought up by her rather austere Aunt Elizabeth and has a poor self image.
Grace has an intimate relationship with the Lord. The only exposure Roman ever had to anything related to church or Jesus was a neon sign saying "Jesus Saves" on the opposite side of the street when he was growing up in the Tenderloin.
Roman's artistic talent is nurtured at the Mastersons' farm and he becomes a sought after and very wealthy artist. He still vents his anger by secretly painting graffiti on buildings and on his studio walls. This gives him quite an adrenalin rush as he is afraid of being caught and going to jail. He lives behind walls in a huge house and keeps away from his few friends
Grace feels guilty about the way her son was conceived. She had been going to give him up for adoption, but changes her mind when he is born. She takes the job as Roman's personal assistant in order to be able to take care of Samuel herself.
This is a story of redemption and restoration. We see how the merciful Father, who has been watching over these two all their lives, draws them to Himself, healing their brokenness as they learn to trust in Him. We see His incredible mercy and the grace He bestows on those who have done nothing to deserve it. He can indeed make a masterpiece out of every life, no matter how hopeless!


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