Sometimes I go awhile without reading a spiritual book. When I was a teen, my favorite book series was “Left Behind”, and I had only discovered the series by first reading every other book in our church’s small library. I think my parents liked knowing that if I was reading books from the church, they were probably appropriate. I read a lot of “Christian” books in my adolescence, so I suppose I did need a break sometime.
This book reminded me how hopeful and uplifting a good, faith-filled book can be, even if it is non-fiction and deals with some pretty dire stuff. As humans, it can be difficult seeing pain, loss, disease–anything that hurts us causes our loved ones to hurt. Despite a cancer diagnoses and feeling like the future looks bleak, Lynne Hartke does a wonderful job of telling her stories of heartache and feelings of loss in such a way that they are filled with hope.
Mrs. Hartke uses her faith and Bible verses to provide strength in her toughest days, and she also often shares how her belief in God was a steady guide in the questions and doubts she has experienced in her life. I think that anyone who has experienced loss from cancer, or is a friend too someone with cancer, will be able to find a feeling of positivity upon finishing this book.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: A man is recalled to have ridden his snowmobile into a barbed wire fence and is mentioned to have been bleeding profusely, blood is also mentioned to be seen on his clothes and gloves; cancer treatment and its effects are described in brief detail; a parent is mentioned to suffer from a stroke and a heart attack; the author gives a brief description of seeing her mother in agony from cancer treatments.
Sex/Nudity: Sexual innuendo is implied briefly; clinical nudity occurs briefly; a woman is described trying on bras and her mastectomy scars are mentioned.
Mature Subject Matter:
Loss of a loved one, cancer, death.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
None
