As God’s children, we are not promised a life free of pain, struggle, or sorrow. Rather, we are promised that He will walk through the pain with us and carry us if need be.
In His Grace Is Enough, author Kelli Hays shares women’s true tales of what at first glance seem to be ones of life’s heartbreaks including her own. The stories range from Kelli herself, facing the news her newborn has a life threatening condition, to a mother losing her teenage daughter in the Texas A&M bonfire tragedy, to being diagnosed with a disease, and the end of a marriage due to infidelity. All of these sorrows and hurts are enough to rock the foundation of someone’s faith and make them angry at God.
Yet His Grace Is Enough. Through scriptures and personal testimonies, Kelli shows us God’s shoulders are big and He can take it when His children doubt or are mad at Him. His grace is enough. He never leaves our side, even in our darkest hour.
I wish I had this book when I was battling the darkness of Post Partum Depression with my first born. Kelli talks about how she grieved at being robbed of the beautiful newborn experience she thought she’d have because her baby’s health was in jeopardy. Most of their time in their baby’s first days were spent in hospitals and not at home receiving well wishing family and friends.
I remember telling my therapist those same words- I was angry and felt robbed of enjoying my new baby because of the black cloud of depression and anxiety. Praise God my baby was healthy, but we spent much our first weeks of my son’s life in a therapy office dealing with a depression and anxiety I never planned on nor had experienced previously. Even when I was angry at Him, His Grace Was Enough. Through prayer, I made it to the other side, but this book would have been a warm blanket to someone who was shivering inside.
My faith came out stronger but even now reading His Grace Is Enough this week has brought peace to our lives. Our son turns 4 in two days (that same little newborn mentioned above) and during the week I was reading the book we found out he most likely has Autism.
We are optimistic for his future but His Grace Is Enough has been a comforting arm around my shoulder. The book reminded me it’s okay to be angry and hurt and for my faith to waiver. I love that throughout the book Kelli tells us our feelings are okay whatever they are because they are ours and no one loss is “bigger” than another. If something has happened in your life – whether it’s the end of a marriage, being robbed of an experience, or losing a loved one – and you are hurting, your hurt is valid. God sees it.
In my darkest hour of therapy, I wondered how I was going to continue to get through the upcoming days. My therapist said something I still use to get through hard times to this day. “God gives us enough grace to get through the next hour. Then he gives enough for the day. Then the next. Then the week, and so on.” If you or someone you know are going through one of life’s valleys, I encourage you to pick up a copy of His Grace Is Enough, because Kelli and these inspiring women remind again and again that He is always there and will carry us if need be.
You can buy the book here, and it’s free to borrow if you’re a member of Amazon Prime!
Author Kelli Hays
