Waiting for Morning... a book review

It has been a wonderful summer and school is just about to begin for the new year.  Another year of living and loving her family... 2 beautiful daughters and a doting, loving husband.  As her husband Dr. Tom Ryan and girls return home from their annual "end of summer" campout, Brian Wesley is staggering out of a bar after drowning his sorrows in 14 drinks.

A drunk driver

A red light runner

A family's life forever changed

Hannah knew something was wrong.  They were never this late getting home from their camping trip.  Then a car stops at their house... a knock on the door... and words no wife wants to hear...

"There was a serious car accident, ma'am..."

After receiving the news of the horrific accident, Hannah Ryan heads to the hospital only to learn that her dear husband and eldest daughter Alicia died.  Her faith in a good and loving God dies with them. 

As Sgt. Miller, a fellow believer, tries to comfort her, she responds, "I'm sure you mean well, Sgt. Miller, but you're just like every other Christian right now.  'It must be God's will.' 'They're home in heaven now.' 'God still loves you.' 'The Lord has a plan...'"

"A wave of emotion choked off her words, and she had to swallow hard before she could continue.  'I don't want to hear it.  Do you understand? Brian Wesley, age twenty-eight, married with one son, just destroyed my life!  He took everything from me and left me with nothing, not even hope.  He murdered my husband and daughter, and so help me God, I'll never forgive him as long as I live.'" 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Karen Kingsbury has captured the heart and soul of a family torn apart by drunk drivers everywhere.  She has given a voice to the family members left behind questioning the goodness of God.  Why us?  Where were you, God?  You could have saved them!

As we walk through the pages of the book, we can identify with the desolate feelings of both Hannah and Jenny.  A mother bereft of her family... a daughter who yearns to be with her dad and sister in heaven.  Can Hannah find her way back to God and true peace?  Will she be able to forgive Brian?  Will Jenny find a reason to live?

We all walk through trials, illnesses, seemingly unnecessary deaths and more - bad things do happen to good people.  Through the grace-filled writing of Karen Kingsbury, we see how even faith-filled families can have doubts and anger toward God. 

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review from Multnomah Books and Random House, Inc. through Edelweiss Digital Books.

Blessings,

     Ellen