A testimony to the sufficiency of God in the gruelling day–to–day reality of raising a child with a mental health disorder.
Mental health disorders have become increasingly prevalent, especially in children and teenagers. Suicide is the 3rd highest cause of death in fifteen– to nineteen–year–olds around the world. This effect of the Fall has left thousands of families in despair, confusion, and impotent desperation. Leslie Schmucker knows this all too well.
Writing to encourage other parents who find themselves in a similar situation, she explores different aspects of her and her family’s experience with their daughter,
Jackie. Through violence and mayhem, joy and hope, intense isolation, shame and confusion, Leslie’s honest testimony to the goodness of God is humbling.
Leslie’s testimony is split into four sections:
Comfort from the God who Knows
Sufficiency in the Fallout
Guidance in the Storm
Hope for the Journey
Life in our post–Fall world is not always neat, not every story looks like a success, but Leslie shows us how the gospel is for every situation, the love of God is for everyone, and He can be trusted to write our stories. Whether you are raising a child with a mental health disorder or not, this book will challenge your comfortable Christianity and show you a love beyond measure.
Endorsements
… an accessible, authentic, hopeful book about clinging to God and His promises in the midst of some of the hardest,
most painful circumstances a family could face.
John Knight Donor Officer, Desiring God
Never have I read a book that so powerfully owns the heart–wrenching realities of raising a child with severe mental illness, while simultaneously and fervently pointing the reader to truths of Scripture, the power of the gospel, and the love of God in Christ.
Stephanie O. Hubach Author, ‘Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability’; Research Fellow, Disability Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri
If you have a child struggling with mental illness,
this book will be like sitting down with a good friend who can relate to what you’re going through and has much wisdom to share.
Keri Folmar Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and ‘The Good Portion: Scripture’ and co–host of Priscilla Talk
… a story of courage and trust that all parents would benefit from, not just adoptive parents. The story is not sugar–coated. Disney would never consider an ending like theirs. Brace yourself, reader, and learn from experience to rest in the Lord.
Matt Schmucker Elder, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; Director, CROSS Conference
Leslie Schmucker worked for over a decade with mentally ill children. She directs the special needs program at Dayspring Christian Academy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has written for The Gospel Coalition and Desiring God, and blogs at leslieschmucker.com. She and her husband Steve have three grown children and eight grandchildren.
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