The Life We Never Expected

The Life We Never Expected

Hopeful Reflections on the Challenges of Parenting Children with Special Needs

Written By Andrew and Rachel Wilson

Book Overview:

What do you do when hard or painful circumstances turn your world upside down, resulting in a life you never expected? Andrew and Rachel Wilson grappled with this question after both of their children were diagnosed with regressive autism. Refreshingly honest, this book explores the highs and lows of raising children with specials needs, reflecting on the broader question of how to cope with suffering of all kinds. Sharing personal stories from their lives and encouragement rooted in the truth of God's Word, Andrew and Rachel highlight lessons they've learned related to fighting for joy and thriving in the midst of trials--ultimately pointing readers to Christ, the One who promises to make all things new.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy reading books!  I really enjoy reading books that give me a different perspective on the struggles that others may live with.  These could be the struggles of the person or the struggles of those who care for them.  While the difficulty faced may feel different, each is being affected by one main conflict. Seldom do we ever want any kind of prolonged difficulty in our life or the life of those we love, yet that remains out of our control and in the hands of the Almighty. This book is written by parents who had a vision in their minds eye that turned out to be very different than what God had planned.  They are parents of two children with autism. The layout of the book made it very easy to read a long, to pick up and read even if you only had a few minutes of time to do so.  I finished the book in 2 days...I was hooked! The book is separated into five cycles and each cycle has five subheadings: Weeping, Worshiping, Waiting, Witnessing, And Breathe.  Some of the wisdom shared among these pages could be applied to more than just raising children with special needs. One quote that I decided to write down in my little note book for future encouragement, " If what you think you have is greater than what you think you deserve, then that's where thankfulness comes from.  If what you think you deserve is greater than what you think you have, then that's where bitterness comes from." I really enjoyed the section titled, "The Unresolved Why," it talked about the unanswered why's that we have when we endure suffering or hardship. I can't tell you how many times I have wondered why something is or isn't happening.  In the end why it happened, or didn't happen is of little importance.  Knowing why doesn't always change the feelings surrounding the struggle. I like the way Andrew said that we may never know what the answer is to that question but we can always know what isn't, it isn't because God doesn't care or doesn't love us or is distant. I will conclude this review with one more of my favorite quotes from the book, "So if you're mired in despair at the moment, wondering how you're going to get through the week, let alone the year, it's worth bearing in mind that, in all probability, it won't always be like this.  The old dreams die, but new ones form.  The clouds close in, but the sun finds a way, eventually, of breaking through."  I highly recommend this book!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one of the products mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog, thanks to FlyBy Promotions. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."