Finally the Bride by Cheryl McKay

Finally The Bride: Finding Hope While Waiting by Cheryl McKay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I saw this book recommended on a blog discussion I read several weeks ago. It was among several women approaching their 30s who have a desire for marriage but no past or current relationship prospects to speak of (yes, I am one of them). It piqued my interest, considering I’ve seen so few books geared toward single women that reached beyond “what you need to do if you want a man.”

There is something so comforting about this book. It’s just so raw and real. Cheryl McKay writes to single women, as a single woman. She doesn’t sugarcoat her desire or her frustration; instead she bares all, including journal entries she wrote to God and the responses she received back, in the midst of providing important points and lessons to us on waiting and building our relationship with God.

At times her journaled frustrations and cries to God may seem to be repetitive, or in conflict with the points she’s trying to make about trusting God. But she’s human, and she doesn’t pretend that her attitude in her journal entries is always right. I actually found it comforting to see that she had to remind herself of the points that she would later write to others in similar situations. She wants to let her readers know that they are not alone in the circumstances they face, and I can appreciate that.

I was insipred to read from a spirit-filled single Christian woman who could really relate to where I am relationally, and I love reading what McKay has to say about the relationship we need to develop with God. I appreaciate the honesty of her story, and the stories she includes of those who came before her.

If you’re single, this book will inspire you. If you’re waiting, on anything, this book will encourage you as well. It truly is a book about finding hope in the waiting, regardless of what you’re waiting on.

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson

“This is the true in life — being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” — George Bernard Shaw

This quote is at the beginning of one of the chapters in Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susan Flory, and seems to really describe who Michael Hingson showed himself to be during one of our nation’s tragedies. Thunder Dog is the story of Michael and his guide dog Roselle, and their experiences coming out of the North Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11. Michael describes everything that led them there that fateful day, and everything they went through to get back home to his wife Karen and retired guide dog Linnie. Michael also explains a lot of his life story and the things that he learned and experienced that influenced him that day in Tower 1.

This is really an incredible story about several incredible people. Reading about Michael’s history as well as the details of his trip down the stairwell on 9/11 were both very enlightening. His friend and colleague David was with him on that day and was a big part of what Michael and Roselle went through. And Michael’s wife Karen had her own experience to share, being at home and knowing her husband was trying to get out of the tower without really knowing what was going on.

I expected a great story about Michael and Roselle, and this is definitely that. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the chapter in which Michael describes his personal experience with God that day as the South Tower fell, and his association to Psalm 23. I also appreciated Michael’s words about his relationship with Karen, and the moments that were told from her perspective. I really love this story, and heartily agree with Larry King in the foreword about it being a page-turning.

It is truly an engrossing story, so much more so because it is a true story, and a true story about some of the good things that happened despite the horrific tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001.

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers via BookSneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own.