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Broken into Beautiful

November 12, 2008 by Carrie

I had never heard of Gwen Smith before I picked up this book. I came across this title and thought it sounded like a message worth exploring. This book is all about how God restores the wounded heart (that’s its subtitle) and it is excellently done.

Gwen Smith is incredibly genuine. You know how you can sometimes tell when you are reading a book that the author ‘likes the sound of their own voice’ and are talking just to talk? Just because they can? Just because they managed to sell the idea of a book to a publisher? Well, that’s not Gwen. There was something very real in the way that she shared her own story of brokenness and related various other women’s stories that drew me in, as the reader, and encouraged my own soul.

Gwen Smith’s story is that she had an abortion in college which she proceeded to keep a secret for the next fifteen years. She had no intention of sharing her story at all because she accepted forgiveness for herself and had experienced God’s grace in this particular situation. Although involved in public music ministry she did not feel like she had to share every bit of her past to somehow justify her position in ministry. I do believe I agree with her opinion in saying that it’s not necessary to “empty your trashcan” to the general public but it is important to share your story if God asks you to. He asked her to and she has been obedient in doing so, which opens up an entirely different ministry of healing.

In this book she not only shares her story, but the stories of other women and the problems that they have faced in their path. This is not done in a vulgar way at all, but rather exercises a great deal of taste and maturity that I think is quite admirable. Coupled with the fact that she compares each individual woman’s story with a story from scripture, this book is quite well done. Smith doesn’t leave the answer to life’s problems in human hands nor does she rely on human wisdom (or the lack thereof) in facing the sin and dealing with it. Rather she throws her readers in the right direction — before the Throne of Grace.

This book is tasteful, encouraging, compelling and necessary. This book fulfills a need in a sympathetic yet solidly Biblical way for which I am incredibly grateful. After finishing reading the book I hopped on Youtube and watched an interview with Gwen and was left with the same impression of sincerity. She is a beautiful woman and has a beautiful story to share. To learn more about the book or to read an excerpt of it, check out the publisher’s, Harvest House website here.

I’d strongly encourage it because I believe you will find yourself blessed in doing so. I know I was.

If you’d like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment and we’ll announce one random winner next week (U.S. addresses only).

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Filed Under: Carrie, Christian, Non-Fiction, Women's Interest

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Comments

  1. Roger says

    November 14, 2008 at 10:26 am

    Sounds like a very good and useful read.

  2. Jacquelyn Cannon says

    November 14, 2008 at 11:00 am

    Sounds like a great book. I am interested in reading anything relating to God, please count me in.

  3. jan koontz says

    November 14, 2008 at 11:42 am

    my bff could use this book

  4. Kirby McCauley says

    November 14, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    I could really use this book ♥

  5. Anita Yancey says

    November 14, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    Sounds like a really good book. Would love to read it.

  6. Daniel M says

    November 14, 2008 at 4:40 pm

    looks good add me please

  7. Terri D says

    November 14, 2008 at 4:43 pm

    What a wonderful read this would be. Count me in!

  8. Valerie Mitchell says

    November 14, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    The book sounds great – would like to read it!

  9. Christina says

    November 14, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Please enter me, thanks!

  10. Joyce Moore says

    November 14, 2008 at 9:14 pm

    I would be interested in reading this book. God does amazing things. As a Christian we have to ask for a lot of forgiveness.

  11. Jill Miller says

    November 14, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    I would really love to win this book.

  12. Deidre says

    November 14, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    I would love to read her story.

    Deidre

  13. David Bertolo says

    November 15, 2008 at 2:10 am

    Looks like an interesting read. Please sign me up for your contest.

  14. nancy says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:38 am

    Looks like an interesting novel, please count me in

  15. djp says

    November 15, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    i need a good read for night

  16. Jennifer hedden says

    November 15, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    enter me

  17. Valerie Mabrey says

    November 15, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    count me in thanks

  18. Carol Drury says

    November 15, 2008 at 6:04 pm

    love to win and thanks for offering the opportunity!!!

  19. Catherine copeland says

    November 15, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    my personal experience with God is that he is always there for me. I’d love to read this book

  20. designhermomma says

    November 15, 2008 at 7:50 pm

    sounds like a fantastic book. I have a strong faith and would love to read this. thanks for a great review….

  21. Zoey says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    Sounds like a sad but touching story. Hope I win it.

  22. Maja says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:13 pm

    love it

  23. jesy says

    November 15, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    GREAT !!!

  24. Jennelle Henderson says

    November 16, 2008 at 1:58 am

    I’d love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway.

  25. Terra Heck says

    November 16, 2008 at 4:56 am

    I’d like to read this book.

  26. tami judd says

    November 16, 2008 at 3:02 pm

    I am in the same boat as the author, can’t wait to read it.

  27. Susan Ledet says

    November 16, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    This sounds like a good book. Thanks for the nice giveaway.

  28. Christina E says

    November 16, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    This looks intersteading

  29. Denise says

    November 16, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    I’d love to win!

  30. Paulie says

    November 16, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    I know just the person I could give this too – to the point and necessary.

  31. claudette flanigan says

    November 16, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    I just love the premise of this book! I know I would enjoy reading it!

  32. Sheila says

    November 16, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    This sounds like a very interesting and good book! I would like to win it very much! Please enter me in the sweepstakes!

  33. Tonya Froemel says

    November 16, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    very cool count me in please

  34. Hesper Fry says

    November 17, 2008 at 12:17 am

    Sounds great!

  35. chastidy vernengo says

    November 17, 2008 at 12:50 am

    Sounds great!
    chazvgo(at)gmail(dot)com

  36. Elizabeth M. says

    November 17, 2008 at 5:31 am

    Sounds just wonderful.

  37. Cassandra Shuff says

    November 17, 2008 at 7:50 am

    i would love to read this

  38. Sheri says

    November 17, 2008 at 8:21 am

    This looks like a good one! Thanks!

  39. Marion B says

    November 17, 2008 at 8:21 am

    Sounds like a good book to read!

  40. Lisa Fosses says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:19 am

    sounds like a book I would love to read

  41. jennefer sweitzer says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:33 am

    sounds great, I would love to read it.

  42. Erma Hurtt says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:35 am

    I would love to win this. Thanks!

  43. Angie P says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Thank you ~ this sounds like an intersting read.

  44. Carrie Baird says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:15 am

    This sounds like just the book I need right now. I would also like to share it with someone else. Thanks for the contest!

  45. Kelly F says

    November 17, 2008 at 11:20 am

    This looks interesting. You made it sound like a book that I need to read and I might just check it out at my library.

  46. Jodi says

    November 17, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance.

  47. Jennifer Barr says

    November 17, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    would love to win 🙂

  48. sam says

    November 17, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    This sounds like an amazing book. I’d love to read it!

  49. vicky says

    November 17, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    This would be a book that I would enjoy reading very much. I know how god has changed me and it amazes me every day. thanks

  50. Laura G says

    November 17, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    sounds like a great read! thanks

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