Parting the Waters
January 25, 2009
When Tina Howard emailed me a week or so ago and asked if I would participate in a blog tour for a friend’s book, I almost said no. Not because I didn’t want to. I did. I was just afraid I wouldn’t have the time, for one. And for another, I’d never had a hand in a blog tour. I didn’t want to screw things up.
But I said sure, why not. If she was nice enough to ask, I should be nice enough to agree.
I’m glad I did.
Parting the Waters, by Jeanne Damoff, was waiting for me in the mailbox a few days later. I tossed it into my bag to take to work the next day, intending to start it during lunch. I did. And finished it three hours later.
To say that I never let a good book come between me and my work would be an honest enough statement, but this book was better than good. It was among the most enthralling and honest memoirs I’ve ever had the privilege of reading.
The Damoffs were your typical family. Jeanne, her husband George, and Luke, Grace, and Jacob, their three children. Their family prospered under the loving care of God until a tragic boating accident left Jacob fighting for his life. Submerged for over ten minutes, Jacob was left in a vegetative coma with little hope of recovery.
Parting the Waters is a chronicle not only of the accident, but the faithfulness of God. It is the account of a miracle, a story of hope and love, and a glimpse into a crisis of faith.
I’ve read many books that grapple with how a loving God could let bad things happen to good people. Trials and unanswered questions are a part of every life, and to many a stumbling block to greater faith. Theologians have for thousands of years grappled with these issues, but it took a Texas school teacher named Jeanne to bring everything into focus for me. Yes, bad things happen in this life. To all of us. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t in control, and that He can’t turn the bad into the beautiful.
It’s the subtitle of Parting the Waters that gives you a clue as to what the book is truly about. “Finding beauty in brokenness.” That’s what the Damoffs have learned. That there is grace in the midst of pain. That God can use even the smallest of us to touch the lives of so many people. That His purposes are interwoven into even the smallest details to bring peace to the suffering.
And that tragedy to the body can lead to triumph for the soul.
You can learn more about the Jeanne’s book by taking a look at these pages:
Parting the Waters on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1579219500
Jeanne Damoff’s Website: http://jeannedamoff.com
Jeanne Damoff’s Blog: http://ellezymn.livejournal.com/
And if you happen to be browsing the shelves of your local bookstore and come across Parting the Waters, buy it. Read it.
Trust me. You’ll be glad you did.
Comments
13 Responses to “Parting the Waters”
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I’m a writer whose first novel, Snow Day, will be published by FaithWords in 2010.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m just as confused as anyone.
And that is fine with me, because the great thing about wandering around in the fog is that you never know what you might run into.
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Great! Thanks. Sounds like a good book.
It sounds like a really good book. I typically really enjoy books like this. Thanks for sharing.
I’m checking this book out now, too, and I have a feeling that it has come at a good time. … Good to be back now, and Billy, thanks for your support and prayers.
Sounds like a book I desperately needed six months ago. The Shack just didn’t cut it for me as I wasted away in the land of broken children. I am afraid to read it now. I have PTSD and just reading your review brings on the tears. Thanks for giving some attention to this book… I’ll bookmark it for the future.
Wow. You brought tears to my eyes, too, and I wrote the book! Thanks for this lovely review, Billy. I’m honored, humbled, and deeply grateful. My prayer for Parting the Waters is that people who read it will meet God on the pages. You just confirmed that He’s answering it.
Jeanne
Great review BC! Makes want to pick this book up! Thanks for sharing!
In the few, short weeks I’ve read your writing, Billy, I’ve seen enough to be convinced that your stamp of approval on a book is a prized trophy. I’m sure this book deserves the good review.
Billy, hi. Just wanted you to know I mentioned you in the latest post “Together Road,” about community building at High Calling Blogs. Said you were a great story teller. And it’s true.
**I’ve awarded your blog the Premio Dardos Award. Come see what it is: http://lynnrush.wordpress.com/***
I actually hate January, but don’t tell anyone. I am insistent on coming to appreciate something about everything. If I can’t scrounge up joy over ice clinging to droopy branches then I really am in a sore spot!
Billy-
Rarely am I motivated by a review to read a book. It is usually recommendation from a friend I trust that leads me down the literary paths. Your review was perfect, because now I have to find out how God brought that family through. You left us hanging…
Great job!
Billy, you wrote an awesome review of this book. It sounds wonderful; I’ll have to get it! Thanks so much.
[...] “met” Billy last January when he reviewed Parting the Waters on his blog. I was deeply touched and honored by his words, but even better than the gift of a [...]