Resurrection Year {Book Review}

I mentioned in April that I was thrilled to discover the website Booksneeze! This website offers the opportunity to receive free books in exchange for honest reviews from bloggers. I was excited to find this site because as y'all know I do love reading and what a great opportunity! I also appreciate the opportunity (as a writer) to examine someone else's work! There are so many talented writers in our society! *smiles* In April I did my first review for them on the book: Days Like These: Even in the Darkest Moments, Light Can Shine Through by Kristian and Rachel Anderson. 

The book that I chose to review this time was called Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams into New Beginnings by Sheridan Voysey. To be frank I actually finished the book last week while I was stuck in the airport due to bad weather but have taken a few days to process through everything that I read. While the book might be termed "simple" by some (due to its easy read) the book is complex in its ability to touch at the heart and soul of all who read it. While I could not exactly relate to the issue that the couple was experiencing {infertility} I could relate to the concept of your life being totally opposite than you had planned and wrestling with shattered dreams and broken hearts. In many ways I am sure that everyone can relate to a book like that at one point in our lives. 

There were two things that the book spoke to me loudly about. First, I was struck by the way that Sheridan was willing to sacrifice his thriving and (what most would deem) successful career for his wife who had been sacrificing her dream (of having children) for him. Although I am not married, I, along with many others can count on our fingers the number of marriages that we see that exist like that in the world. Most people that we see walk away when it gets to hard or it isn't beneficial to themselves. The opposite - in a humble and with raw honesty- is portrayed in this book. THAT alone deserves for us to stand up and clap for their marriage. For their bravery to face the future that maybe they hadn't expected to face on their wedding day. For their courage to live out their wedding vows when most people are  quick to throw in the towel. For their humility in thinking that this may not affect anyone else. And maybe if nothing else- just a round of applause for sharing with us their hearts. You have truly inspired many, not only myself. 

Second, I was struck by the honesty that the book portrayed in examining our lives, our beliefs about God, and our suppositions about who God is when our dreams do not always work out the way that we had envisioned. What does that mean? Has God abandoned us? Does God even care? What does it mean? This book explores with humility these themes and allows the reader to explore them with them. 

No matter who you are ... we all have dreams that we may have lost or seen shattered. This book has inspired me along my own journey right now in a season of shattered dreams. This book is different then any other book of its kind (and believe me, this year I have read a ton on this subject). Most books you walk away with the "happy ending" and the bow that is wrapped around the story. That is the book or the story that most people cheer for. But as I discussed in a post from early June the journey also brings hope - even when the ending is not what we had planned or imagined. The journey can bring the hope... and sometimes that is in itself a miracle. This concept of hope in a specific outcome ... is this an American christian ideal that we have placed on the gospel? On the Lord working things out "the way that we want"? I am not sure. What I am sure though is that the book, while maybe not having the ending we expect or hope for challenges, inspires, and encourages me that I am not the only one in the midst of a "Resurrection Year". Sheridan, I appreciate your candor and your story more than I can express. Your willingness to share your story has changed countless people, including mine. Thank you!! 
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.