Customer Reviews

Finding Grace: A True Story About Losing Your Way In Life...And Finding It Again

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to accept the opportunity to read and review Donna VanLiere's "Finding Grace." Frankly, I have read very little in the Christian Fiction genre and I watch almost no television, so I was completely unaware of VanLiere's books or the movies made from them. However, I am definitely a fan of memoirs and something about her personal story made me curious to read what she had to say about her life and how she arrived at the point she is today.

"Finding Grace" is an inspirational story - probably more meaningful today even than when VanLiere was writing it, in fact, because of the way people all across the country, and the world, are being tested by the horrible economic crisis we all face. Thousands of jobs are lost everyday, along with the benefits attached to those jobs, such as health insurance, and parents are under tremendous pressure to maintain some sense of normality for their children.

Donna VanLiere shares her own story - and her theory that "broken dreams," the shattering of our expectations of the life for which we believed ourselves to have been destined, are the "launch pad to growth." VanLiere, who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of two perverted young neighbor boys as a child, had her innocence stolen so early that she spent most of her life questioning God about his absence when she most needed His help. As an adult, her dream was to marry and raise a family of her own but her dream plan was shattered by her inability to c0nceive despite spending thousands of dollars and several years trying to right the problem.

It was only when she recognized that God had a different plan for her, adoption, that VanLiere reached what she considers to be a state of grace in her life. Now she wants to share her insights and experiences with others who may be struggling with their own faith as a result of the difficulties they face in their lives. VanLiere's message is one of hope - that when life is at its darkest is the perfect time to open one's heart to an alternative plan, one that just might be what was meant to be all along. VanLiere defines "grace" as "when you get something you don't deserve." It is a gift that you have to do nothing to earn because God wants you to have it, the kind of gift you may not even recognize until long after having received it.

"Finding Grace" will definitely offer hope to those in turmoil about their immediate futures - but it also reminds that life is a long journey with many crossroads, and peaks and valleys, along the way. The most important thing to remember, according to Donna VanLiere, is that it is never too late to accept the grace that is always there for the taking.

Finding Grace by Donna VanLiere is a powerful memoir with a message of God and grace in your life. VanLiere was sexually abused as a child and compartmentalized it as her own fault making relationships difficult in her adult life. After facing multiple miscarriages and infertility, along with constant upheaval in her professional life, she finally discovered the gift of writing that God had given her and began the long process of adoption. VanLiere takes all of the bumps in her life's journey and turns them into opportunities for learning, not just for herself, but for the reader as well, who feels like a good friend by the time the last page is turned. As the author of The Christmas Shoes, the author has earned a reputation as a terrific writer, but this book also shows her as a true woman of God who is using her gifts to show His amazing grace.

Donna has provided thoughtful, insightful, humorous and authentic reflections on the blessings and challenges of life. Many will find it simply inspirational as she moves from victim to survivor to thriver. Will Marling, The National Organization for Victim Assistance[...]

It is a wonderful book! Although I am not a reader I read this book from the beginning to the end directly! It is the story of me and us.
Donna writes very honestly and open about LIFE, with its questions, deserts and pain, but also the glorious moments and happiness. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Ron from Holland (Europe)

The book is sad, funny, exciting, convicting and helpful. Donna goes through things we all have faced and some we haven't. Following her story and her solution brings hope to any situations we face in life.

"Angels of Morgan Hill" was my first introduction to Donna VanLiere and I literally counted the days waiting on "Finding Grace" to arrive. WOW - what an amazing read!! For anyone struggling with dreams or doubting grace, pick it up, you won't want to put it down!

Finding Grace by Donna VanLiere is a must read for anyone who has ever struggled to make sense of unfulfilled dreams and plans. Finding Grace will encourage and inspire anyone looking to find hope in the midst life's unexpected twists and turns. Donna's personal story is brought to life with a refreshing sense of honesty and candor as she exposes her painful journey, not only the events, but also the emotional and spiritual struggles that led her to "Finding Grace". Donna's story provides provides a reminder that even when we feel all alone, grace is all around us, we just might not see it. Finding Grace brings the reality of grace into focus, it's like putting on a pair of prescription eye glasses for the soul. This book is destined to become a Best Seller. Male or female, Finding Grace is a must read, especially if you are looking to make sense of the storms in your own life. Be warned, you will not want to put the book down once you begin.

Donna VanLiere's book, Finding Grace, came along at a time in our family's life when we're experiencing tremendous loss. Her own personal story of loss - including lost dreams - and the organic process in which she discovered God's unique and indescribable grace, brought me great encouragement. The book is filled with laugh-out-loud narrative, poignant & memorable life milestones, and a raw perspective of God. Anything but "preachy," I'd recommend this book for just about anyone. Thanks to Donna for being so vulnerable and real.

This is another outstanding book written by Donna VanLiere, author of The Christmas Hope series and Angels of Morgan Hill. Donna has a talent for bringing you into her books so that you feel you really know her characters, only this time it is different, she is the "character". Throughout the book you feel like you are there with her and there are times you feel like you are laughing with her and times you feel like you are crying with her.
This is a must read for all people in these uncertain times. Finding Grace reminds us that God is with us even if we aren't so sure of that. It is a book for those that are looking for something more outside of themselves and searching for answers who aren't sure of why things happen the way they do.

Excellent story by Donna VanLiere, is one of the best I have of her collection. Several of us have her collection.