Annalise Decker has it all - a loving husband, three great kids, the respect of everyone in Deep Haven, and a deep secret that could blow it all apart. Annalise has only been Annalise for twenty years. Previously, she was Deidre O'Reilly, drug addict and runaway. After nearly dying and then then testifying against a drug dealer, Annalise left St. Louis for Deep Haven and Annalise arrived for a fresh start. It didn't take long for everything in her life to begin to go right. Nathan Decker asked her to marry him and she became the model wife. Children were born and she became the model mother. Opportunities arose and she became the model member of the PTA, model volunteer, model church goer, and model wife of the mayoral candidate.
It was only a matter of time until her past met her future. Frank Harrison arrives in Deep Haven to visit his niece, Annalise. Agent Frank Harrison was the handler who relocated her. Annalise's life is in danger and she needs to make decisions. Does she shatter the image her family has of her? Does she uproot them? Does she leave them behind in search of safety for herself? Does she stay and risk their lives?
Warren crafts a wonderful story but it was really the overwhelming theme of identity that stuck with me. During a particularly powerful scene in which Pastor Dan reads and comments from Psalm 103 during a church service, he says "I see you, and I know you, and I love you. Period. I know stuff about you that you don’t even think I know, and yet I love you."
Annalise spent twenty years building an identity that everyone around her embraced or so she thought. It isn't until she is in imminent danger and the town embraces her family that Annalise understands that it isn't her image that everyone likes but her. As a matter of fact every character in You Don't Know Me is dealing either with a secret they are keeping or a misconception they can't seem to overcome. Is a kid from the wrong side of town worthy of dating Coleen Decker? Is Jason Decker really the model son and student? Do the Deckers really live the idyllic life?
Isn't this how it is with God? We do our best to be what He expects of us? We strive to be the perfect Christian? We think we have to make something of ourselves before God will love us. It just isn't true. God loves you. Period.
Psalm 103 English Standard Version
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
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