God Loves Broken People (and those who pretend they're not) by Sheila Walsh

In the introduction Sheila Walsh says that if she could only write one book this would be it. As I read the pages of this book I could not put it down. I read it straight through in two sittings and that only because I had to go to sleep. As soon as I woke up I began to read again. This book is marvelous beyond words in my opinion. You feel as if you are sitting next to Sheila drinking hot chocolate as she talks to you.

What I like about this book is that it is a well written, well balanced book. It is very personal and yet organized in a way that goes through different steps/stages of grief and recovery in a sound Biblical manner. Sheila uses stories from her life and others to help us see how real people held on to God and drew nearer to Him during painful times. She also brings in scripture references through Bible characters' lives and favorite Bible verses that she uses personally in times of crisis and daily living.

I have read a lot of books that deal with "why God lets bad things happen" and "healing our wounds" and "dealing with our issues" - but this book by far is the absolute best. Sheila does not candy coat anything. She talks about real pain and real struggles and admits that it is not an easy journey. She even admits that as humans we do not have all the answers and that answers are not always given to us by God either. But she points to scripture after scripture where God proclaims His love for us. Through scripture she shows that we are not abandoned in our darkest hour. Then through her life stories and others she shows the miracle of how we go on because the real miracle is that we often feel God closest when life is at it's worst.

I think maybe this is a hard concept for anyone who hasn't really suffered a devastating crisis because it sounds impossible. But if you're ever gone through something horrible and survived with God's grace you really see how good God is. I felt comforted and encouraged and fortified to face trials as I read this book. I also for the first time didn't see my brokenness as shameful or a wasted part of me but something that God could use to make my life more meaningful and a way to help others along the journey of life.

There are no words to give justice to this book. It is something I would recommend to anyone and in fact I plan to buy copies and give to my family members and friends.

I received this book free from booksneeze and I was not required to write a positive review.