Parenting.
It’s the job with the most challenges and endless rewards. Every day presents itself anew as none are truly identical.
And no two children are identical either. Each one, by God’s design, is different. But how does one parent when the differences put a child outside-the-box of “normal”?
Different by Sally Clarkson and her son, Nathan Clarkson is the moving story of such a child and the mom who loved him deeply.
Their story brings an inside peek into their journey from each of their perspectives. Each shares their thoughts and emotions as they tried to work through the daily struggles of their days.
Their transparency moved me deeply, often to tears. Their words filled me with a renewed respect for those who parent a “different” child. The journey for both parent and child is not an easy one to navigate.
Different is not a book of how-to’s. It is a story of how-we. Through their story, we all find hope for our own stories.
Their story brought several important truths:
- “The longing to live a meaningful life resides inside of all people” (page 53).
- “We cannot force others to conform to a mold they were never meant to fit” (from page 52).
- “The emphasis can never be on perfection, but on helping each other become who we were meant to be within a family setting” (page 58).
- “We all need to hear words from others and from Scriptures that will shape the pathways of our minds, instilling a confidence that God was on their side, that God had a place for them in writing the history of the world, that they were suited to live into a great story” (page 59).
This book brings a beautiful message to us all –
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT)
You can find more about Sally Clarkson at: sallyclarkson.com
You can find more about Nathan Clarkson at: NathanClarkson.me
***Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am disclosing this as required by Federal Trade Commission.
Today I am joining … #DreamTogether and Moments of Hope and Soul Survival and Booknificent Thursday .
Looks like a really inspiring book! Thank you so much for sharing. It’s so important to remember that God loves us all individually, and for who we are …right now.
Happy Monday, from the Soul Survival Linkup!
Megs
Meg, this one truly was one that I found hard to put down. Hmmm, I might not have 🙂
You’ve been hunkering down and doing some pretty amazing reading lately! Thanks for your thoughts on this book. It sounds like just the thing for giving us mothers permission to quit the perfectionist parenting and to love the child we have been given with all our hearts.
Michele, this book needed no hunkering 🙂 It was one of those that I couldn’t put down. I read it in the car, while cooking, and as I snatched moments here and there. It was a terrific read!
Sounds really helpful and insightful! Thanks for sharing Joanne : )
I haven’t heard of this book so I’m glad to hear it here first, Joanne! This grabs me: “Different is not a book of how-to’s. It is a story of how-we.”
This looks like such an interesting book and one I know I could benefit from. Having a daughter with special needs, I find myself in that place of trying to put her into the boxes of my world which only results in frustration and hurt. It’s only when I embrace life as it is as the way God designed it, do I find peace. Thanks, Joanne, for sharing this at #MomentofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, this is definitely a book which will speak to your heart. It is truly a book, in my opinion, which should be read by parents, teachers and administrators. We would all benefit and be blessed by this book. It definitely brings much insight and wisdom. It is not a how to book but one which shows that as we lean into the Lord to give us exactly what we need for each individual child, we both benefit and grow. Blessings to you, Lori. I so appreciate your thoughts!