God Loves Broken People (and Those Who Pretend They're Not)

I am familiar with Shelia Walsh in the children's book realm because my oldest, Gabriella, is quite the fan of the Gigi, God's Little Princess series. I have also reviewed the first two installments of her new children's series, Gabby, God's Little Angel and Gabby's Stick to It Day here on my blog.  I wasn't aware that she wrote books for adults too, so when I received the opportunity to read God Loves Broken People (And Those Who Pretend They're Not), I was intrigued.  I wanted to see what Sheila had to offer for grownups!

The title of the book immediately snagged my attention.  It wouldn't take much digging into my past posts to realize that I am most certainly a broken person.  I had a rather traumatic childhood, I've had issues with depression and anxiety, and I've had marital troubles.  Yes indeed, I am a broken person.

The subtitle also sparked my interest.  Honestly, who has never put on the smiling face in order to mask some hidden, but deep pain in our heart?  I certainly have.  I still do on occasion, but I'm learning more and more to lean on God instead of myself.   I decided that I definitely needed to read this book.

I am so very glad that I did.  

My head nodded in agreement so many times, I probably looked like a bobble head and the number times that I said/thought, "I wish that I'd had a book like this a long time ago."

Because of her own past struggles and trials, Sheila's writing is honest and moving.  She's been there and understands what a person who is at what they feel like is the end of their rope needs to hear and what they don't.  She also knows that it is at those desperate moments when we feel like God is so very distant and uninvolved, so we need assurance that He is indeed still there for us. 

How is this for a powerful reminder of God's fierce love for us?

"But if God loves His Son beyond anything we can possibly conceive, and yet His fierce love moved Him to sacrifice that beloved Son on our behalf--then what does that imply for us? What might that same fierce love ask us to do, in order to broadcast to the world and to the angels that God Himself is the greatest treasure of all? Can we say with finality that the pain, trial, hardship, difficulty, or tragedy that we face is simply over the top and too much...and therefore must mean that God doesn't really love us?

The cross shouts, "No!"

Through personal anecdotes, scriptural references, and stories of ordinary and famous people this book serves as a great encouragement for those dealing with pain and hardship and also as a beacon to guide straying hearts back to the Lord who will never forsake them.  Add it to your "must read" list for sure!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the BookSneeze program in exchange for my honest opinion.  I was not required to provide a positive review. *