Made Well : Finding Wholeness in the Everyday Sacred Moments

GIVEAWAY

SIMMONS, JENNY
MADE WELL : FINDING WHOLENESS IN THE EVERYDAY SACRED MOMENTS

When He walked the earth, Jesus said to an unwell man, "Do you want to be made well?"  His invitation stretched beyond physical healing -- He sought to restore the soul. The same invitation stands for us today. For anyone struggling on the journey toward wholeness, Jenny Simmons offers a resting place and a friend along the way. With personal insight into emotional pain, she invites you to encounter a God who is working out your restoration -- often in surprising ways. Her humorous and inspirational prose lights a path toward wholeness.

My Review:

A hope-filled book that encourages readers to find wholeness in the midst of their brokenness  whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual. Simmons' writing style is warm, inviting and often humourous as she shares her heart through moving personal experiences. She asks the questions we all ask when we are faced with the impossible. Loved 'hearing' my own doubts and frustrations addressed within the pages of this book. Simmons understands and I felt heard even though I hadn't uttered a word.

Made Well is all about looking for God’s healing beyond the big and bold miracle moments we all hope for. It’s about the quiet, unobtrusive things that gently carry us through the pain, supporting us in the midst of darkness. As Jenny Simmons says: “…God is often quietly at work behind the scenes answering in ways we would never expect or pray for.” (p 32) I’ve had so many of those quiet moments during my 6+ years dealing with chronic neuropathic pain.

One of those sacred healing moments crept up on me yesterday. I was heading out to a women's bible study across town and the cold, snowy weather had messed up the bus schedules so I was running late. Missed my first connection and the second bus was overdue. I was cold, in pain and feeling discouraged after a month long battle with painful side effects from a new physical therapy. I wanted to turn back and just head home but 'something' compelled me to keep going.

It took forty minutes for the bus to make its way out to the suburban church. I missed the worship service and headed straight for the classroom where we had a smaller than usual turnout. And in the course of one hour my spirits were lifted, my discouragement washed away by the words of one lady who shared the simple truth, "Do not be afraid."

Every word she spoke was as if specifically directed to me. Every. Single. Word. She glowed as she shared and testified. I've never seen a sweeter expression. Joy radiated from her. She spoke from the heart, eyes filled with compassion.  Praising Jesus in the midst of some heavy tribulation. I listened to her, spellbound knot after knot of tension slowly unravelling within me. I began to feel the wholeness I craved. Not through the healing of my broken body, but rather, in spite of it.

Yes, I’m still in pain and I struggle with the enormity of that and how massively it has changed my life but God keeps showing up in awesome ways, meeting me where I need Him most through the actions of others. And that is exactly the message that Made Well conveys.

An encouraging and compelling read that offers solace and hope to any and all who are hurting.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Made Well: Finding Wholeness in the Everyday Sacred Moments please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the  subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 27 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!