BOOK REVIEW: TheColor of Rain: How Two Families Found Faith, Hope, and Love in the Midst of Tragedy
AUTHORS: Michael and Gina Spehn
PUBLISHED: Sept 2011, Zondervan
PAGES: 288
My review from goodreads.com:I haven’t given out many fives stars recently on goodreads—I’m not sure why. This book was definitely a five for me.
I finished it this morning when I should have been finishing other things, but I had to finish. This book is heavy at times, really heavy, but only because the subject matter is heavy. It is about two young families who lose a young parent to cancer. The writing was such that it felt like I was part of the story, which is part of what makes it so emotionally engaging. But above all, the book is inspiring, as are the authors, their families, and the lives they are living.
I heard Gina Kell Spehn speak recently in Michigan, and was even blessed with the opportunity to go to lunch with her and some friends. I knew by her words, testimony, and absolute trust in God’s plan that I would be deeply affected by reading this story of her life. And the take away message is that when life takes you down a dark, unexpected, scary detour, if you’ll just put your trust in our Heavenly Father, He will make you the better for it–plus He’ll add some amazing color through your rain if you just let Him.
The ending was absolutely beautiful–which I suppose since this is a true story with real people, this is just their beginning. But if you aren’t a book finisher, I’m telling you, you have to finish this one. The ending is what makes the rest of the heartbreak bearable. I guess that’s how life is, right? The only thing that makes the dark, unexpected detours bearable is remembering that there are happier, better days ahead. You just have to look through the rain.
A very good, thought-provoking and potentially life-changing read.
(there’s a great news article and video clip from http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/a-local-couple-shares-their-story-about-the-true-gift-of-love!)
