Book Review of Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them.

This book was hard to read emotionally. Mary Beth Chapman's heart is on every single page, sharing moments of her life that have shaped her into who she is today. From growing up, to marrying Stephen Curtis Chapman to growing their family, to adopting to losing their baby girl to learning to live again. And so much more in between. I was holding back the tears even in the opening pages which was written by her husband.

It was written with a style that flowed so well. It was easy to track her thoughts and read more like a conversation than a story. It was so personal, so revealing of who she is that one feels left almost feeling like you know her. That you could sit down over a cup of coffee and have a conversation.

It was a very powerful book. But not in the "good feeling" sense. It was hard. And I can't even begin to imagine how hard it was to write, let alone live each day. Mary Beth hits it home over and over again.... life comes comes down to choosing to see God's story in our lives or choosing not to. It doesn't make the pain go away, but He's always there, even when we don't feel like we can go another step.

Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.