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Raw, Real, and Read-worthy

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Though her story is unique, her writing and perspective are all the more so. Sarah Kay is one of those writers you would read for the sentences alone. I love the way some of them roll off of your tongue, poetically... you WANT to read them aloud just to hear how they fall upon your ears.

She doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but invites you to come on her journey in an intimate way and wrestle with her, with God. She grieves beautifully. Which I'm sure is just part of why God had her write His story in her life.

Pieces of humanity

Customer Rating:
I liked the book because it was a very VIVID picture of the sense of devasting loss of control which accompanies tragic and unexpected losses. When such a thing happened to me, I remember feeling just as Sarah Kay felt--as if I were made of such delicate glass that the slightest touch would completely shatter my already weak hold on reality. I don't see this so much as a "how to" book of what to do when tragedy strikes, but rather more of a comforting book. In the same way that I think defining a problem robs it of some of its power, I am convinced that having someone else help you put your feelings into words--especially when they are eerily close to your own feelings--can be of great comfort. Let the psychologists write the "how to" books and let the novelists portray humanness in such a vivid way that you thank God that He really exists and accepts you with all your anger, brokenness and shame. Such a novel could well bring a lost and grieving soul closer to Jesus. I found the book profoundly moving and I especially thought the way she portrayed her feelings about what it felt like to be the fiance and not the wife of the victim was overwhelmingly heartwrenching. It's a book you'll want to stay up and read the first day. I gave a copy of this to my sister, who had been through certain similar circumstances, and it helped her a great deal--unlike the more how to book I had sent her. I think that reading this book with an open heart will help any reader become a more tender and compassionate person.

Heartfelt Expressions on a Journey with God

Customer Rating:
This book was wonderful. The author was very real and open as she described her journey through one of the hardest stages of life one will ever face. The book is raw and intense but well worth the read.

Beautiful writing--powerful message!

Customer Rating:
For someone who enjoys the flow of a book as much as the content, I loved this book for its structure and use of language. The beauty of the passages drew me in as much the story and its message. Sarah Kay suffered an incredible loss and, for many, that would make us bitter. But as the book unfolds, we listen to her heart asking those very difficult questions that so many of us have thought but couldn't verbalize, and she does so with incredible candor and transparency. In doing so, she allows us to glimpse both her pain and ours and begin to understand the loving God who meets us in the hardest places and brings us rest and healing.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who has lost a dream, a love, their faith, or hope. Thank you, Sarah, for bringing me to a place where I could face my own losses and see the hand of God at work putting the pieces back together again.

Reflections for all of us

Customer Rating:
This book made me look at my own life and realize how many times I have been frustrated and wanted to see some sort of quick action from God and how disappointed I am when it isn't fast enough. When you read about the number of hurdles and tragedies Sarah Kay has overcome, I think it is amazing how strong she is through all of that. Many of us want to waiver from our faith when the going gets tough. This book is an excellent example of a young woman keeping her faith in front of her and realizing she can't go through life alone.

She writes of her memories and additional obstacles that many of us put ourselves through as part of coping with other challenges. Many of us would want to blame someone and live a life in a box and I think this is a natural reaction, but it is wonderful when Sarah just steps up and realizes she must not take this approach any more. By asking God where she is and looking for that guidance in every day activities, she seems to maintain a strong faith and solid lifestyle. I realize now I need to reflect each day on the joy and the sorrow and not just turn to the Lord when I am in a time of need.

Sarah Kay realizes that God works in mysterious ways. We will all go through frustrations, sickness and sorrow, but we must realize there are reasons for all of this and sometimes it might never be clear why we had to go through those terrible times, but that which doesn't destroy us only makes us stronger.