Overview

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.

Full Product Details

9781527110137

Table of Contents

Reviews

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) ... 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)

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. It's not a success story where everything is neatly tied in a bow at the end, but it is a story of hope in a great and loving God who holds our lives in his hands. Reading this book will encourage you and spur you on to persevere in the midst of difficulty, keeping your eyes fixed on Christ, the one who suffered for us. -- Keri Folmar (Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and 'The Good Portion: Scripture' and co-host of Priscilla Talk) How do you keep going when your world is falling apart? Leslie Schmucker has written 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. This book isn't just for families experiencing mental health issues; it is for anyone enduring severe suffering and is desperate for hope -- John Knight (Donor Officer, Desiring God) A brother-in-law isn't typically an impartial reader. So why endorse this book? For years I watched up close as Leslie and Steve rejoiced, cried, fought, fell down, and got back up again. Leslie captured this journey brilliantly within these pages. It's 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)

... 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) 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) 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) ... 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)

A brother-in-law isn't typically an impartial reader. So why endorse this book? For years I watched up close as Leslie and Steve rejoiced, cried, fought, fell down, and got back up again. Leslie captured this journey brilliantly within these pages. It's 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) How do you keep going when your world is falling apart? Leslie Schmucker has written 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. This book isn't just for families experiencing mental health issues; it is for anyone enduring severe suffering and is desperate for hope -- John Knight (Donor Officer, Desiring God) This book is amazing. Truly. 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. I couldn't put the book down. Everyone should read this book-for the painfully honest picture it conveys of the realities of family life when severe mental illness is present-and for the crystal-clear hope it points us to in Christ, whatever our challenges may be. Leslie Schmucker has hit a home run! -- Stephanie O. Hubach (Author, 'Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability', and 'Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God's Presence'; Research Fellow, Disability Ministries, Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Lou) 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. It's not a success story where everything is neatly tied in a bow at the end, but it is a story of hope in a great and loving God who holds our lives in his hands. Reading this book will encourage you and spur you on to persevere in the midst of difficulty, keeping your eyes fixed on Christ, the one who suffered for us. -- Keri Folmar (Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and 'The Good Portion: Scripture' and co-host of Priscilla Talk)

Author Information

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.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available