I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith is another book that I have no idea how to review. Even offering a synopsis of sorts fails, in my opinion, to do justice to the strength of the book’s story and the emotion it evokes. So, I will resort as I often do to the publisher’s description because you the prospective reader will want to know something of what the book is about:
In 2008, Angie Smith and her husband Todd (lead singer of the group Selah) learned through ultrasound that their fourth daughter had conditions making her “incompatible with life.” Advised to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose instead to carry this child and allow room for a miracle. That miracle came the day they met Audrey Caroline and got the chance to love her for the precious two-and-a-half hours she lived on earth.
Upon receiving the original diagnosis, Angie started a blog (Bring the Rain) to keep family and friends informed of their journey. Soon, the site exploded in popularity, connecting with thousands who were either experiencing their own heartbreaking situations or simply curious about how God could carry someone through something so tragic. I Will Carry You tells the powerful story of a parent losing her child, interwoven with the biblical story of Lazarus to help those who mourn to still have hope—to find grace and peace in the sacred dance of grief and joy.
I read I Will Carry You in one sitting. I wept at certain parts. I wondered what I would do if I were in Angie’s place facing the unthinkable. My heart broke for this family’s loss even as I rejoiced in their determination to believe God and to trust His sovereignty despite their grief. I realized, not for the first time, that faith when things go “right” is one thing but faith that chooses to believe when everything is crashing around you—that kind of faith testifies to the sustaining grace of an almighty God.
Angie writes with amazing tenderness, so piercingly honest that at times I felt as if I were prying. This an honest book. It is a sad book. Weirdly enough, it is also a hopeful book. It is, ultimately, a powerful testimony to the sufficiency of God’s grace in “the sacred dance of grief and joy.” It is a call to believe Jesus and His promise to save those who come to Him in repentance and faith.
Highly recommended. Five stars and then some.
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes…. Lisa would like to thank B&H Publishing group for allowing her the privilege of reading this amazing book.
Sounds like a powerful read. I can’t imagine what those parents experienced physically, emotionally or spiritually. What strong faith and an amazing testimony. Great review.
This book sounds AWESOME! Heart breaking and tear jerking, but amazing and moving all the same. I’d love to read it so I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks for your review. I had not heard of the book but, again, sounds amazing!
This book is powerful, touching, hopeful, sad and wonderful. I particularly loved how Angie wove the story of Mary,Martha and Lazarus into her family’s story. She is an exquisite writer.