This is the fourth book in The
Restoration Series. The focus is on the
youngest son of Marilyn and Jim.
Throughout the story the reader is lead to feel the emotions of the
different key characters: Doug, his
parents, his siblings and his closest friends:
Jason and Christina.
Doug is the youngest of three children and away at college. During his time there he begins to experiment
with independence, but not always in the healthiest of ways. He gets involved with a group of kids who
smoke pot and have beer parties on the beach.
Their self-centered life style begins to rub off on Doug. As he tries to balance two different lives,
the one his family upholds with Christians values and the one his friends
promote with self-indulgence, he finds that instead of feeling free, he feels
in turmoil. The turmoil peaks just when
a tragic accident occurs with life altering impact.
Walsh and Smalley make a great
team. Although I’ve read many books on
“wayward” children. This is the first
book I’ve read that really addresses sincere, Christian parents who have done
their best but still have a child walk away from the Lord. Most books cast blame on the parents. This book does an excellent job of showing
where each person (including parents) need to take responsibility but it also
helps a grieving parent realize there’s a point where no matter how much you
did right a child may still choose to turn away from God. Told in story form the message of this book
is a profoundly healing book filled with hope, forgiveness, unconditional love
and God’s power.
I received this book through Revell book
publishers and was not required to write a positive review.
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