Cancer, Faith, and Unexpected Joy by Becky Baudouin

Baudouin shares events and insights she experienced while her mother was dying and after her death. The chapters are short vignettes and are suitable for devotional reading. Questions are given at the end of the book for group discussion or personal reflection.

Baudouin also writes about experiences earlier in life. She stuttered as a child and writes about how that affected her in childhood and later. She shares how she learned to not be afraid, turning her worries into prayers.

She believes God allows trials to come our way and that He is always working for our good. Our dependence on Him is what matters most. (56) With that in view, Baudouin writes about being with her mother during the cancer and her feelings after her mother's death. My favorite part of this narrative was when her mother was near death. Heaven became much more real to her. I had found the same with my own mother.

Reading this book is an encouragement to those who feel called by God to write an inspirational memoir. Here is a quote I liked and think explains the motive for Baudouin writing this book: “When God heals us, he turns our shame into our story.” (84) One could say the same about grief or tragedy. Each of us has a story we can tell.

I recommend this book for those facing the death of a loved one or having recently experienced it. It would be a good book for a grief recovery group to read.

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Becky Baudouin is a writer and former columnist at Chicago's Daily Herald. For over a decade, she has helped lead marriage and grief workshops, and is now also a speaker for MOPS. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their three daughters. You can find out more at http://www.beckybaudouin.com/.

Kregel Publications, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.