Book Review: The Life We Never Expected (Christian title)

                                                                                   BOOK INFORMATION:                                                                  

Sometimes you end up living the life you never expected. When Andrew and Rachel found out that one, and then both, of their children, had severe autism, their world was turned on its head.

This is a book about surviving and thriving when something goes horribly wrong. It is a mixture of their story and God's story, and the way in which his has shaped theirs.

With clarity and biblical insight, they share their experience of grief and worship, struggle and hope. As well as reflecting on the specific challenges of raising children with special needs, they speak to broader questions as well: the problem of suffering, building a marriage under pressure, fighting for joy and trusting in the goodness of God.

This is not just a book for families and friends of special needs children, but for all who have been thrown a curve ball in life, and need to know how to lament, worship, pray and hope

                                                                        MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK                                                              

The heart will always look to rejoice in something beyond itself, so rather than trying to squash desire, we should instead look to satisfy it. It is what you call fighting for your joy in all circumstances.

The Life We Never Expected was a beautifully painful book for me to read. You can tell that the authors Rachel & Andrew Wilson are blessed with a wonderful gift of being able to be parents. They are great at the ministry of parenthood. They are parents of two autistic children. I don't have autistic children but I know people who do and know it can really be a challenge and struggle. It is so worth it though. In this book, we witness stories of their successes, grief, joy, defeat, and victories on their parenthood journey. They are bound and determined to turn this into something great and give all the glory to God. 

They have faced the pain, not shoved nor explained it away. They have been able to see their distress in ways I can only learn from. It isn't just their words they have your reflect on. They keep the gospel in their teachings and reflections because God is the only one we can lean on.

The Life We Never Expected was such a true title, but ultimately all our lives are unexpected. I am thankful for the words expressed in this book.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Crossway and the authors in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

                                                                                   AUTHOR INFORMATION:                                                                  

Andrew Wilson holds degrees in theology from Cambridge University and London School of Theology. His passion is to communicate the extraordinary truths of God. Andrew teaches internationally and is a deacon at Kings Church Eastbourne in the United Kingdom, where he leads training and development. He is also the author of Deluded by Dawkins.