Authors note: I had a lot of trouble writing this, it took me two days! In the end i think i came up with a good writing piece.

                Have you ever heard of the saying ‘actions speak louder than words’?  This is the case in the novel Peace like a river. The Land’s family finds themselves in a difficult situation with different ideas about what to do. Their actions and decisions helped me find the theme of the book.

                In the novel there are two major characters, but one main character. The author describes the main character, Reuben’s dad, like an angel. In the first few chapters, other characters notice that Reuben’s dad can perform miracles. His first miracle was when Reuben was born. Reuben was born not breathing and nobody could get him to breath. The doctor thought he had brain damage and he would die.  When all hope was gone Reuben’s dad ran in and shouted “Reuben Land, in the name of the living God I am telling you to breathe”.  Everyone was surprised when moments later the baby started breathing.  This is definitely a miracle it is another reason why I believe Reuben’s dad is an angel.

                Amazingly, that was not the only miracle that Reuben’s dad performed. Another surprising action was when he walked on air. One night Reuben was going to the outhouse and he heard footsteps in the barn. He went to see who it was and he saw his dad with eyes closed and praying. He was walking across the back of a pickup truck and when he got to the edge he didn’t stop. His father was walking on air.  Reuben was the only witness of the miracle. This miracle reminded me of god and when he walked across water.

                The last and final miracle was when Reuben’s dad found two boys in the girls’ locker room being “improper” to Dolly. When he walked in Dolly said his face was glowing and he lit up the room. This miracle and walking on air really led me to the theme.

                I believe the theme of the story is, God is always with us. In this book every miracle is like something that happened in the bible. When Reuben’s dad helped bring Reuben back to life it reminded me of when Jesus brought a man named Lazarus back to life after he had been dead for four days. It is not the same situation but it just reminded me of that. The next miracle when Reuben’s dad walked on air reminded me of when Jesus walked across water, like I mentioned before. Lastly the last miracle when Mr. Land glowed and lit up the room it reminded me of when the angel came to Jesus glowing. Reuben’s dad was able to do all those miracles because god gave the ability too.

                 Reuben’s dad is almost like a figure of god. When the two boys in the locker room promised revenge and then put tar on the family’s door, Reuben asks his dad what they are going to do and his dad tells him “Nothing; of course, nothing! What those fellows don’t realize is, we’ve already won. The victory is ours.” When he said this Reuben didn’t understand he asked his father “aren’t we going to do something about it.” Mr. Land just laughed. This is another reason on why he’s a figure of god. He doesn’t believe in revenge. Most Catholics think that they can do their revenge but then still call themselves a catholic. I disagree. Reuben’s dad is definitely a true catholic.

                If this book has taught me anything so far it’s that God is always with us to lead us and help us.