Books!

Thankful Thursday…..and today, my gratitude post is a bit different. I am thankful for books – specifically, good, Chrisitan books. While I often enjoy getting “lost” in a great fiction, today I am thankful for authors who have dared to share their hearts…to share their story of where God has taken them, how He was faithful, and what they learned. These type of books have been especially helpful to me during my last two years of grief – often, they have been a lifeline!

My friend, Tammy, who is so fresh in her grief recently shared several books that have been helping her. Some I had heard of, or even read, and others I am anxious to find and read. I wanted to share some books (other than my Bible) that have been a real help for me….

Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love by Raymond Mitsch and Lynn Brookside….both authors have been through grief but Lynn Brookside is also a grieving mother. This book is a devotional and seemed to deal with so many of the emotions I was feeling just when I needed it.

Confessions of a Grieving Christian by Zig Ziglar…sent to me by another grieving mom. Mr. Ziglar’s conversational writing style is enjoyable to read – I’ve often thought he would be so interesting to sit and talk with over a cup of coffee.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn….and there are many of these books – some in a devotional format, some geared to children and the very comprehensive “adult” one. I love them all!! Anything and everthing that I can learn and meditate on regarding Heaven – and what my Tyler is experiencing – is wonderful for me!!

Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert…also given to me by another grieving mother (why are there so many of us!?!?) This is a children’s book, I suppose, but not only does it have beautiful illustrations but it addresses so well the idea of how differently all of us grieve – especially husbands and wives – which was eye-opening for me.

And perhaps the best book I read – and still one of my favorites – is not actually a grief book at all..but, it was wonderful for me (another author I would love to “chat” with sometime!) It was A New Kind of Normal by Carol Kent. This book is the sequel to When I Lay My Isaac Down, but I didn’t realize that at the time. I’ve since read both and they are both excellent but the second one is still my favorite. Mrs. Kent is not a grieving mother, per se, however, her world – as she knew it – was completely and forever changed when her only son committed murder. I won’t give away the story…you really should read this one…with the details but she was forced to accept that her life would NEVER be the life she once had.

For a long time, I considered myself “going through grief” which implied I would eventually get through with it. This just is not the case. I will forever be a grieving mom – forever missing Tyler – but with God’s help I am daily striving to live my life with purpose, with joy, and to bring glory to Him. This book was very inspiriational to that end.

It is amazing what good books can do for us – comfort us, teach us, inspire us – and, so, this Thankful Thursday..I’m grateful for books!