Texas author Jeanne Damoff has just released Parting the Waters. Watch the video first. I'll wait... Now we'll get a glimpse into Jeanne's heart in writing: Where did you get the idea for the book?Parting the Waters is a true story. Several years after Jacob’s accident in 1996, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to write what I was seeing God do. I didn’t want to, and for the next few years I kept giving God excuses for why I didn’t have time. Without going into detail, let’s just say He essentially removed my excuses, and I went home and wrote the first draft in two weeks.
What are the major themes in Parting the Waters?Beauty from brokenness. God’s goodness and sovereign purposes in suffering. The body of Christ. The power of community when it works as it should.
What insight did you gain from writing about such a difficult experience?Reliving our experience on the page was excruciating at times, but also very cathartic. I believe it’s good for all Christians to look back on our most difficult times and see how God carried and led us when we felt like we were wandering over jagged shards in a fog. Probably the biggest insight I gained was a deeper assurance that God is in control and I can trust His loving purposes, even when it hurts to breathe.
How and what is Jacob doing now?Jacob is a precious, happy 27 year old who lives abundantly in spite of his brain injury. Though he wasn’t expected to ever awaken from coma, he walks, talks, laughs, and loves intensely. He spends his weekdays with his long-time aide, Rusty Mauldin, working with his cattle and in his garden, then comes home on the weekends. Jacob worships the Lord with the passion of a lover who is not hindered by self-consciousness. Watching him is like glimpsing eternity.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?I hope they will realize more deeply that God loves them and is working out His plans in their lives with perfect faithfulness. Sure we suffer consequences when we make stupid choices, but many of the trials and sorrows we experience have nothing to do with punishment or a lack of faith. They are part of God’s goodness—conforming us to the image of His Son. I hope readers will meet God on the pages of our story and walk away changed by grace. To order, type "Parting the Waters" in the permanent little Amazon box on the right side of this blog. Any time you use this box to make an Amazon purchase, a portion of the profits go to benefit our Kenya ministry.For more from Jeanne:
Jeanne Damoff’s Website
Jeanne Damoff’s Blog
Jeanne Damoff’s Facebook Profile
Follow Jeanne Damoff on Twitter
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