David Wilkerson

I have always been fascinated with New York City.  I didn't have opportunity to personally visit until I was around 40 years old but I went there in other ways--through books.  As a teen, there was a fiction young adult series in the church library, each about a teen drug addict in the city who through various paths turned his/her life around and gave their life to Christ.  I loved those stories of redemption and life in the city!

Probably no one has done more to transform New York City than David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade. David's son, Gary, shares the story of his father--a man whose faith and hard work, reaching out to the unlovable, helped change the streets of a drug filled, gang filled city by sharing the love of Christ. But David was human too and his life wasn't always something to write home about but he didn't give up.  He had struggles but trusted God.  What a lesson we could all learn!

I love that Gary didn't paint his father as perfect but shared with the readers his struggles.  God used him anyway just as He can use me given my limitations and shortcomings.  All the better to show God is the one at work rather than me, right?  The text is easy to read and can easily be completed in a day.  A must read for anyone who loved The Cross and the Switchblade or one who enjoys biographies.  Personally, I loved it!

When I saw this book available through the publisher for review, I ordered it immediately. Just three weeks ago, I passed Wilkerson's church in NYC and spoke with one of the members who invited me to visit next time we were in town.  Think I might just take him up on it and see for myself the impact Times Square Church is having on the city.  As mentioned, I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

The 13th Gift

For Joanne Huist Smith, the Christmas tune, The Twelve Days of Christmas, held the secret to happiness and she had attained that.  Then shortly before Christmas of 1999, her world was shattered when her husband died unexpectedly.  The rest of the world was preparing for Christmas day but Joanne struggled to get out of bed and be a mother to her three children.  The thoughts of celebrating Christmas was one of the last things on her mind.  How could she when her husband wasn't there to be part of the memories? 

Each family member was dealing with the loss in different ways. Her oldest, Ben, seems to have withdrawn from the family while daughter Megan has become the peace maker.  Middle child Nick is weary.  Then thirteen days before Christmas, a poinsettia appears on their doorstep with a note that it is from their true friends.  Threatening to just let it sit outside and freeze in order to help avoid the holiday altogether, Megan talks her Mom into bringing it inside.  Each day a different gift arrives and through them comes healing to the family as they try to discover the identity of the giver and how to celebrate Christmas and still honor the memory of their father/husband while making new memories of their own.

If you know me at all, it will come as no surprise why I chose this book.  It is a Christmas story of course! I loved the way the author spoke from her heart and walked us through her grieving process with honesty.  However, I would have preferred she left the language out of it.  I can't be convinced that anger/frustration/grief must lead to cursing.  Would I recommend this book?  Yes, with a disclosure. I loved the tradition her friends began and wish I had thought of it when my children were home to help pass it along. However, I think I might just start it myself.  A beginning?  Praying that God would show me who might need that kind of friendship and encouragement this Christmas season.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.