The death of one’s spouse is one of the most challenging things we can experience. No matter how prepared you may think you are for that day, you are forced to face the fact that your world has changed completely.

One Woman’s Journey into Widowhood shares Marge Humphrey’s story of her experiences as she entered a new stage of her life: widowhood.

As she began that stage, she found herself plunged into the depth of despair following the death of her husband of more than four decades. She faces the ups and downs, turmoil, and heartache of being alone. She now has to make all the decisions, large and small, and do things she never did before.

Even though life seemed overwhelming at first, Marge survived those days. Now she shares her struggles and ultimate victory with you. She addresses the important new friend she met along the way—grief—and explores how grief and healing were partners that, with God’s help, created a new Marge Humphrey.

I held the birthday box Susan handed to me. She turned toward the kitchen counter, wearing fan-legged red shorts, her back to me, now two inches taller than my five feet, two inches. Suddenly, the present seemed out of place in time. I thought, It’s as though she’s a butterfly about to flutter away. Why can’t I hold on to her?

I stretched on my toes and kissed the side of her face. … Susan left the kitchen to change clothes. She and Robin and some friends were going to hear a concert and speaker that night. I stood in one spot, pondering that feeling as though a clock of separation were ticking: a clock that had begun a month earlier in St. Augustine. Susan herself had initiated spending the time with her parents. All that day, I wanted to reach out, touch, and embrace her in answer to a strong and un-vague impulse—an impulse that I was losing my daughter and there was nothing I could do about it.

The death of one’s spouse is one of the most challenging things we can experience. No matter how prepared you may think you are for that day, you are forced to face the fact that your world has changed completely.

One Woman’s Journey into Widowhood shares Marge Humphrey’s story of her experiences as she entered a new stage of her life: widowhood.

As she began that stage, she found herself plunged into the depth of despair following the death of her husband of more than four decades. She faces the ups and downs, turmoil, and heartache of being alone. She now has to make all the decisions, large and small, and do things she never did before.

Even though life seemed overwhelming at first, Marge survived those days. Now she shares her struggles and ultimate victory with you. She addresses the important new friend she met along the way—grief—and explores how grief and healing were partners that, with God’s help, created a new Marge Humphrey.

I held the birthday box Susan handed to me. She turned toward the kitchen counter, wearing fan-legged red shorts, her back to me, now two inches taller than my five feet, two inches. Suddenly, the present seemed out of place in time. I thought, It’s as though she’s a butterfly about to flutter away. Why can’t I hold on to her?

I stretched on my toes and kissed the side of her face. … Susan left the kitchen to change clothes. She and Robin and some friends were going to hear a concert and speaker that night. I stood in one spot, pondering that feeling as though a clock of separation were ticking: a clock that had begun a month earlier in St. Augustine. Susan herself had initiated spending the time with her parents. All that day, I wanted to reach out, touch, and embrace her in answer to a strong and un-vague impulse—an impulse that I was losing my daughter and there was nothing I could do about it.

I held the birthday box Susan handed to me. She turned toward the kitchen counter, wearing fan-legged red shorts, her back to me, now two inches taller than my five feet, two inches. Suddenly, the present seemed out of place in time. I thought, It’s as though she’s a butterfly about to flutter away. Why can’t I hold on to her?

I stretched on my toes and kissed the side of her face. … Susan left the kitchen to change clothes. She and Robin and some friends were going to hear a concert and speaker that night. I stood in one spot, pondering that feeling as though a clock of separation were ticking: a clock that had begun a month earlier in St. Augustine. Susan herself had initiated spending the time with her parents. All that day, I wanted to reach out, touch, and embrace her in answer to a strong and un-vague impulse—an impulse that I was losing my daughter and there was nothing I could do about it.

Eleven-year-old Madison was leaving a friend’s house on a Sunday afternoon when she was struck by lightning. A week later, the little girl—often called Smiley because of her cheerful, generous nature—was pronounced dead. Among the many loved ones she left behind was her grandmother Sheila KayTurner.

 

How are we to make sense of such a tragedy, as family members, as friends, but most of all, as Christians? Searching for books to help her understand and heal from her agonizing loss, Turner found them too clinical and turned instead to writing. She chronicles that first year without Madison, reflecting on their relationship and on the special way Madison touched everyone, from the little boy afraid of starting kindergarten, whom she befriended, to her youth minister. She also writes with painful honesty of Satan’s using Madison’s death to rekindle resentment and jealousy within her family. Yet Turner chose to make Madison her example and her inspiration, knowing that the greatest tribute she could pay to her precious granddaughter was to exemplify her loving spirit.

 

This deeply personal yet universally human account not only speaks to the heart but also reveals surprising insights. Turner’s journey is ultimately one of hope, as she moves from searing grief to the certainty of God’s hand at work. Whether you’re in the depths of your own grieving or want to understand the experience of a loved one suffering from loss, you can find a renewed faith and sense of purpose in Sheila and Madison’s story.

Little Lawrence isn’t the most accomplished angel in Heaven. He wants to do well, but his halo doesn’t fit right, and he doesn’t know how to use his wings. He spends his days sitting on the steps that lead to the throne of God, hoping to run into the Archangel Michael. If he could just meet Michael, maybe he could become a messenger of God, too. Until then, he sits and waits for his big break.

On Earth, Mary has just lost her little brother. She used to call him “Butter,” because she could never quite say “brother.” Now, Butter has died. Mary promised God she would always protect her little brother, and she feels she has failed. The loss of Butter makes Mary angry with God. She refuses to talk to Him; instead, she is miserable, never once turning her face to Heaven in prayer.

Is it possible little Lawrence has found his mission? Does Michael trust the tiny angel with the crooked halo enough to send him on such an important journey? Mary is so young to have already given up on God. It’s not going to be easy for Lawrence, but he may be her only hope. As he gives his all to becoming a true messenger of God, he must hurry and save little Mary … before it’s too late.

Little Lawrence isn’t the most accomplished angel in Heaven. He wants to do well, but his halo doesn’t fit right, and he doesn’t know how to use his wings. He spends his days sitting on the steps that lead to the throne of God, hoping to run into the Archangel Michael. If he could just meet Michael, maybe he could become a messenger of God, too. Until then, he sits and waits for his big break.

On Earth, Mary has just lost her little brother. She used to call him “Butter,” because she could never quite say “brother.” Now, Butter has died. Mary promised God she would always protect her little brother, and she feels she has failed. The loss of Butter makes Mary angry with God. She refuses to talk to Him; instead, she is miserable, never once turning her face to Heaven in prayer.

Is it possible little Lawrence has found his mission? Does Michael trust the tiny angel with the crooked halo enough to send him on such an important journey? Mary is so young to have already given up on God. It’s not going to be easy for Lawrence, but he may be her only hope. As he gives his all to becoming a true messenger of God, he must hurry and save little Mary … before it’s too late.

Trapped in the worst way possible—bleeding, raw, and angry, the frightened wild dog is confronted by a stranger who takes her in. This kind individual replaces the dog’s constant chaos, pain, and fear with lessons of trust and love.

Have you been ensnared by past or current pain? Is it actually possible to find new light in the experiences of trauma that are common to all of us at various points in our lives? Can the aftermath of a physical or emotional shipwreck actually contain shards of truth and bring restoration to broken hearts and minds? In Diamond in Darkness, author Pamela Bowers uses the story of the journey of a dog, Man, and a few friends, along with personal experiences and biblical references to help readers find a way out of pain and into a new life. Viewing pain from a different perspective can be the first step to a place of peace, refreshment, and new joy.

When mired in the darkness, it can be almost impossible to envision a time when one feels safe and happy. But, as readers of Diamond in Darkness, healing can take place. As Man says, “The best healing takes place when mind and heart work together in the task.”

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet that is not the full story. Suicide takes the life of a loved one and leaves families emotionally and spiritually devastated. Rediscovering Life is the story of how a pastor has found joy despite dealing with the horrors of his father’s suicide. In this book you will find answers, hope and practical suggestions to not only deal with the suicide of a loved one, but also to learn how to overcome this horrific tragedy. Rediscovering Life is a journey about returning to the Author of Life and finding the joy you have always wanted. Anyone who has lost a loved one from suicide will greatly benefit from this book.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet that is not the full story. Suicide takes the life of a loved one and leaves families emotionally and spiritually devastated. Rediscovering Life is the story of how a pastor has found joy despite dealing with the horrors of his father’s suicide. In this book you will find answers, hope and practical suggestions to not only deal with the suicide of a loved one, but also to learn how to overcome this horrific tragedy. Rediscovering Life is a journey about returning to the Author of Life and finding the joy you have always wanted. Anyone who has lost a loved one from suicide will greatly benefit from this book.

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. Yet that is not the full story. Suicide takes the life of a loved one and leaves families emotionally and spiritually devastated. Rediscovering Life is the story of how a pastor has found joy despite dealing with the horrors of his father’s suicide. In this book you will find answers, hope and practical suggestions to not only deal with the suicide of a loved one, but also to learn how to overcome this horrific tragedy. Rediscovering Life is a journey about returning to the Author of Life and finding the joy you have always wanted. Anyone who has lost a loved one from suicide will greatly benefit from this book.