Some personal thoughts about pain and suffering-The Life We Never Expected- Book Review and Giveaway

I read a lot of books.  Many for review purposes and some even purely for pleasure.  I know, can you believe it?

But occasionally a book I read strikes a nerve and completely settles in my heart with the words written on the page.  The Life We Never Expected is one of those books.

Written by husband and wife team Andrew and Rachel Wilson, The Life We Never Expected is a book about their experience of raising two severely autistic children.  But oh, it is so much more than that!  It is a book about heartbreak and hope, about struggles and victories, and about faith in God.  It is about what to do when "sometimes life throws you a curve ball."


Doesn't that apply to just about everyone?  Yes, if you have an autistic or otherwise special needs child, this book is for you!  Read it and know you are not alone and that others are walking a similar path.  But even if special needs are not on your life's journey, you need to read this book.

I have not been able to put this book down.

Here is an example of why-

"For those of us who are mothers (and fathers), God wants us to esteem the field we have been given." (p.39)

"With the best will in the world, people aren't big enough to absorb your grief.  God is." (p. 56)

"...fighting for our joy is important. " (p.59)

Oh friends, the nuggets of truth just keep coming.

Though the Wilsons confess to not having all the answers, they do have a heavy flowing source of inspiration to share with others who have been thrown a curve ball.  People who thought life would look one way and then discovered it looks completely different.  They share their experiences and their faith, encouraging each step of the way, and yet honestly admit that some days are just hard.

This 152 page book describes the five cycles they believe we go through and then break each of those into chapters of weeping, worshipping, waiting, witnessing, and breathe.  Some of the stories they recount will make you smile and some will make you cry, but all will challenge you to look at your life and the lives of those around you through new eyes.

From the minute we enter into a crisis until the moment, God willing, we exit it, we are called to remain faithful.  Yes, sometimes that is hard.  last year, in our own personal crisis of an unexpected deployment which left us scared and in shock, there were days that I felt like a failure.  Listen to this-

"...God is not scared of our pain, nor does he want us to suppress it in the name of soldiering on." (p102)

After reading that, even now, I took a deep breath of relief.  I let go of the guilt I have been carrying and realized that neither my feelings, nor my reaction to them, overwhelmed God.  He has got this!  And He has you!

I cannot over stress my love of this little book!  It is comforting, healing, and so much more. Whether you parent a special needs child, know someone who does, or just need some encouragement and strength for your own curve ball, I know you will be touched by the words of Andrew and Rachel!

FlyBy productions is offering a copy to one reader of our blog! Just leave me a quick comment and a random winner will be chosen next Friday!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Blessings,