A Good And Perfect Gift, Book review

Book description:

Challenging surprises often lead to unexpected joy. Amy Julia opens eyes and softens hearts as she brings readers into her own story of disappointment turned to blessing. This is a journey of discovering strength through weakness, and the author learns to embrace the fact that we are all dependent on God and one another. This books will inspire readers who appreciate beautiful writing coupled with deep insights about life and faith.

My review:

'A Good And Perfect Gift' is the story of one family's struggle to deal with Down Syndrome and a beautiful little girl named Penny! This is the true recount of their joy and sometime disappointment but ultimately the discovery of their blessings! An inspiring story particularly as it brought back  a few memories...

A few years back I met a loving family and a little girl diagnosed before birth with many challenges. Despite their fears her parents never thought of abortion and trusted in the Lord for the future. Told their little angel would never be 'normal', she would neither hear or walk and her health would be poorly, this family rallied and faced each new challenge together! With time and much love, many therapies and countless surgeries later, this very special Child of God loves to listen to music, sings, speaks a mile away, goes to school, and attends Bible school. She still wears (leg) braces and uses a wheelchair but she scoots faster than you can run, swims and attends to her own daily needs. 

Raising a child against all odds is not for everyone. Amy Julia Becker candidly shares in 'A Good And Perfect Gift' how her world came crashing down when she experienced this personal challenge. Her heart broken, she tells us of the painful realization her little girl was 'different'. Family, friends and acquaintances rallied with much prayers, love, care, compassion. Yet others judged without understanding and it hurt! 

In her words Amy tells us 'how she had trouble talking to God months after Penny's birth and for a time did not feel the need to pray. Passively and gratefully she accepted intercession from others in the same way she received casseroles, baked chicken and meatloaf!'

Today Penny uses sign language to communicate with her family and the outside world and she is now a proud big sister!

After reading this story you will realize Penny is not a Down Syndrome child but a little girl, a beautiful little girl who loves to clap her hands, bounce and sway to music!

Amy recalls the band performing at a Thanksgiving dinner. During a break the band leader approached Penny held in her Dad's arms, looked her in the eye and told her Dad: 'She's beautiful', 'She has an old soul'.

A heartwarming story about a little girl who is all about love! This is an honest recounting of what happened and it is not just for parents of special children but for anyone willing to accept the beauty of those who are just different!

I give it 5 stars!

Meet the Author:

Amy Julia Becker writes and speaks about family, faith, disability, and culture. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, she is the author of Penelope Ayers: A Memoir, and A Good and Perfect Gift (Bethany House).

Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, First Things, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Hartford Courant, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, and Books and Culture.

For more on Amy Julia read (here) .

I received this book free from BETHANY HOUSE as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.