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teagirl05's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
aka_1923's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good book and I read it during a time that I truly needed it!
bettywoj's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what a wonderful book! Laura Story shares the story of her life, brokenness, and God's power to bring through the brokenness. God never promised us that life wouldn't be messy, but He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. This book encourages me to share my own brokenness to show God's faithfulness.
ellie_outdoors's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent book to read if you or a loved one has gone through recent difficulties. It was a nice reminder that God’s love for us isn’t dependent on the circumstances that life presents to us.
arjayebrewerforestfern's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book, it was recommended to me in a goal group. I’d never looked at it like this before how God uses the brokenness and how God uses them and their stories in extraordinary ways.
A really good read that doesn’t say that God hasn’t fixed things due to a lack of faith which sadly I’ve seen happen to friends of friends. Chronic illness is tough but there can be joy through diagnosis, devestating news and when dreams are broken not just of the individual but their family too.
I love how Laura found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus. Thank you Laura for sharing yours and your husbands story with us all.
A really good read that doesn’t say that God hasn’t fixed things due to a lack of faith which sadly I’ve seen happen to friends of friends. Chronic illness is tough but there can be joy through diagnosis, devestating news and when dreams are broken not just of the individual but their family too.
I love how Laura found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus. Thank you Laura for sharing yours and your husbands story with us all.
ineedasilentnight's review against another edition
5.0
Laura Story writes about her journey in her marriage and ministry. She is best known for her song "Blessings."
Before Laura and her husband had celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary, Martin got diagnosed with a brain tumor (after having symptoms for about a year). She had just accepted a worship leader position at a church in Atlanta, Georgia and they had been there for a few months at the time of the news. When she got the call, she was at a worship conference in another state. She hurried home to take care of Martin.
He eventually had surgery on his brain resulting in some permanent damage and disabilities. Not soon after, Martin needed another surgery because he had gotten an infection in his body that could cause further complications. And complications there were. God brought Martin out from his induced coma safely, which was a miracle. Although he was easily confused and lacked short-term memory, he still had his personality. There were certain things that Martin couldn't do after having brain surgery- walk, eat or bathe. After being released to rehab from the hospital and ICU, Laura was his full-time caretaker.
Laura describes all of the thoughts and doubts that she faced during each stage of this journey, which has spanned years. Her faith was tested and all of her expectations for what their life together would look like in the future were challenged. They had wanted children together, but that idea seemed impossible after Martin having brain surgery and disabilities that would likely stay with him through the course of his life. Although Laura and Martin are still navigating the challenges to this day, she shared her story to encourage and give God glory for what He has done.
The main struggle that Laura explored in this book was if God is still good if He doesn't fix [whatever ails us]. As any other person would when facing a devastating diagnosis, she asks: why? After reflecting and praying eventually she comes to this conclusion on page 139: "The answer to our why's may be obvious now, or they may never be in our lifetime. But even if we knew why, it's likely we wouldn't be satisfied with the answers anyway." And later on page 141, "The answer to why doesn't help us heal. But knowing that God's glory can be displayed, even in the brokenness of our lives, gives us hope despite our circumstances. I promise you will find more purpose and joy in your life if you set aside the why and begin to ask how." God can use our brokenness to bring us closer to Him.
This memoir is so beautifully written because not only does the author lay out her thoughts for us with such vulnerability, but she explores related themes in the Bible. As a worship leader in a church, she examines what it means to worship God when circumstances aren't what we'd like them to be and we feel broken. Because of her experiences, she wrote a song that has impacted so many people. She shares their stories.
I have asked so many of the same questions that Laura poses in this book. Reading this, I felt I was sitting down and having coffee with her as she poured out her heart with this story that she probably wishes occasionally wasn't hers. I learned that God must be enough for me even if the healing I want never comes. It can be used for my benefit and for others'- bring me closer to God and be a testimony of God's faithfulness to others.
Her song, Blessings:
To say the very least: I experienced tremendous spiritual growth from reading this book.
Before Laura and her husband had celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary, Martin got diagnosed with a brain tumor (after having symptoms for about a year). She had just accepted a worship leader position at a church in Atlanta, Georgia and they had been there for a few months at the time of the news. When she got the call, she was at a worship conference in another state. She hurried home to take care of Martin.
He eventually had surgery on his brain resulting in some permanent damage and disabilities. Not soon after, Martin needed another surgery because he had gotten an infection in his body that could cause further complications. And complications there were. God brought Martin out from his induced coma safely, which was a miracle. Although he was easily confused and lacked short-term memory, he still had his personality. There were certain things that Martin couldn't do after having brain surgery- walk, eat or bathe. After being released to rehab from the hospital and ICU, Laura was his full-time caretaker.
Laura describes all of the thoughts and doubts that she faced during each stage of this journey, which has spanned years. Her faith was tested and all of her expectations for what their life together would look like in the future were challenged. They had wanted children together, but that idea seemed impossible after Martin having brain surgery and disabilities that would likely stay with him through the course of his life. Although Laura and Martin are still navigating the challenges to this day, she shared her story to encourage and give God glory for what He has done.
The main struggle that Laura explored in this book was if God is still good if He doesn't fix [whatever ails us]. As any other person would when facing a devastating diagnosis, she asks: why? After reflecting and praying eventually she comes to this conclusion on page 139: "The answer to our why's may be obvious now, or they may never be in our lifetime. But even if we knew why, it's likely we wouldn't be satisfied with the answers anyway." And later on page 141, "The answer to why doesn't help us heal. But knowing that God's glory can be displayed, even in the brokenness of our lives, gives us hope despite our circumstances. I promise you will find more purpose and joy in your life if you set aside the why and begin to ask how." God can use our brokenness to bring us closer to Him.
This memoir is so beautifully written because not only does the author lay out her thoughts for us with such vulnerability, but she explores related themes in the Bible. As a worship leader in a church, she examines what it means to worship God when circumstances aren't what we'd like them to be and we feel broken. Because of her experiences, she wrote a song that has impacted so many people. She shares their stories.
I have asked so many of the same questions that Laura poses in this book. Reading this, I felt I was sitting down and having coffee with her as she poured out her heart with this story that she probably wishes occasionally wasn't hers. I learned that God must be enough for me even if the healing I want never comes. It can be used for my benefit and for others'- bring me closer to God and be a testimony of God's faithfulness to others.
Her song, Blessings:
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All along, you hear each spoken need
Yet you love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
To say the very least: I experienced tremendous spiritual growth from reading this book.
marlo_c's review against another edition
4.0
I've never tired of the song Blessings, and it's truth has ministered to me often. I've enjoyed learning the backstory of the song. The book is an easy, honest and insightful read, though I will admit to speeding through it toward the end. That speaks more about the stack of books I'm trying to get through than the quality of this one. Its message of hope through difficulty and blessing through trial is a necessary reminder. We want nothing more than to avoid suffering, but God knows that we need difficulties to mature us. I need that reminder.
krabbott09's review against another edition
4.0
A great reminder that there is joy in our brokenness.