Book Review: Through the Valley of Grief by Mattie Jackson

Two years ago this month, I lost my eldest son at only 36. It was sudden. It was tragic. Not a day has gone by that I have not mourned, deeply. In the past two years, I have gobbled up everything I can find to help me find my way in this horrible situation (as long as I feel it's a trustworthy, Biblical source). I've read books that have brought hope, and I've read some that I had to put aside because they didn't resonate or held Biblical error. I've listened to preaching galore. 

So about this source:

Because this is a year-long devotional, I'm not finished with it. I'm about 50 days in, but I feel that's a good beginning--enough to tell you that I will absolutely keep reading this book. It is one of the few devotionals that both spoke to my heart and gave voice to my grief.

The selections are brief, just enough to grab onto. This is important, because attention span is short in grief, and I don't know when one gets over that, or if they ever do. The way the book is broken down by practices throughout--Wail, Connect, Worship, Hope--at first didn't mean much to me, but as I've progressed through the entries and learned to understand more on this journey, they've made more sense. I sometimes go back to the introduction to understand them again. 

I don't know that the grief "healing process" ever brings about full healing. From what I'm told, probably not until I see Jesus. But in a devotional like this, you feel like there's someone there to tell you that the journey you are on is uniquely your own, and that it's okay for it to be that way. You sense the Lord's hand holding yours. In short, this little book offers a venue to freely grieve and to be comforted.

I highly recommend it to anyone experiencing the death of a loved one, and I'm very, very sorry for your heartache and loss.

I trust this author to deliver! ~ Book Review of The Journey, by Melanie Dobson

I've read, I think, 8 or 9 of Melanie Dobson's books now, and she's become an easy one for me to turn to if I'm having trouble finding just the right read. Now, The Journey has achieved the top slot in my favorites by her. 

I'm attracted to gritty, epic feels in the historicals I read, and I was not disappointed in this story of adventure, hardship, and ultimately triumph. While some parts were especially sad, the author portrayed tragedy in a way that allowed me to hope along with the characters, just as we have to do when tragedy strikes any of us.

The heroine is flawed. She's too impulsive. But she's also brave, and I think represented the type of person able to survive those experiences in settling the land over the mountains well. The hero was so very British, and that allowed him his own set of flaws to deal with in the North American wilderness. Both these people, as well as others in this big cast, were molded by a new depth of humility toward the end of the story, and I liked that (although the heroine and her little brother were both still quite impulsive). It felt pretty honest.

I highly recommend The Journey for anyone who likes an early American historical with a strong dose of grit and realism. 

Thoughts on Prayer and Keeping Hope Alive in the New Year

We're off and running into 2024, and we can hardly keep up with the snowballing changes and craziness going on in the world. Never have I seen so many things happening that point to these church-age days winding down to God's glorious return.

BUT, God might wait. In the meantime, what are we to do? We are to pray
always and not lose hope6Luke 18. $Oh, hey, my hero in Polly talks a bit
how those words had an impact on him.)

The Holy Spirit reminded me recently of how important continual prayer is
in everything. We cannot always expect a one-and-done answer when
we pray, especially when it comes to the Big, Deep, Important Things.
The HUGE battles.

In Exodus 17I 8613, God sent the armies of Israel out to fight against the
armies of Amalek near Rephidim (in the Sinai Peninsula near Mt. Sinai).
God offered Moses victory, but it only lasted while Moses held his arms
and staff aloft. As the battle raged for hours and hours, Moses grew
weary and his arms drooped. Each time that happened, the tide of battle
would turn against the Israelites. Thankfully, two men, Aaron and Hur,
came alongside Moses and helped him hold his arms up for the duration
of the battle, and as he held them, beseeching God, God answered
in victory. In fact, we are told that Joshua (the first in command)
overwhelmed the Amalekites with the sword.

Victory O Lord! 1871 painting by John Everett Millais

I have often found that the same holds true for our prayers. As long as I

keep my praises and request ever before Him, he responds. But
sometimes when I lag, He calls me back to stark attention--not always
comfortably.

As we go march forward into 2024 let us remember not to let our prayers
grow wearisome. There are loved ones for whom we've prayed a very
long time. There are continual needs surrounding us. Let's keep in
constant, ever-vigilant prayer over those people who hold places deep in
our hearts and on behalf of others, and let us not weary on our spiritual
laurels in the face of whatever lengthy battles lie before us.

We must keep watch. We must pray. We must not lose hope.

Hopefully,

Naomi

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And don't miss my brand-new release!

POLLY, BOOK ONE IN THE NEW APRON STRINGS SERIES

The Kindle version releases officially on Monday, January 15th,

but the paperback is available right now!