The book is based on Barbara’s continuing ministry to women who have or who are experiencing grief over a loss. In most cases, that loss involves the death of a loved one. But it may also involve a divorce, a loss of a job, an estrangement with a child or parent, or any other of a number of real life losses people experience. Barbara’s theme is that God wants to take our mourning and turn it into His joy. This is certainly a theme consistent with Biblical truth, and I appreciate the fact that Barbara is writing from her own experience when she says God can help us find joy even in the midst of mourning and suffering.
There is what I think is an interesting back story to my involvement in the editing of the book. Barbara was my friend 45 plus years ago, when we were both young people at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Park, Michigan. However, we each went our separate ways, she to Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and me to Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary in Michigan. We lost contact with each other. She found her husband at Taylor; I found my wife at Grand Rapids.
I had no further contact with Barbara. Indeed, I did not know where she was, what her married name was, or even if she was alive. In fact, in the good life the Lord gave me with my wife and children, I didn’t even think about her for four decades.
So, how did I come to edit her book? That is the interesting story I would like to encourage you to read. You can read it by going to my website: http://www.blogger.com/goog_217296303
