Customer Reviews

Gift of the Red Bird: A Spiritual Encounter

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Gift of the Red Bird, a Spiritual Encounter, reads like a journal from Paula D'Arcy's life. On August 18, 1975, on a return trip home to Connecticut, Paula's car was struck by a drunk motorist. Her daughter, Sarah, died of head injuries on August 20, and her husband died three days later from a ruptured spleen. Paula was alive and three months pregnant with her second baby daughter, Beth. For this reason, she went on living.

Gift of the Red Bird tells of a story of extreme loss and ache, of searching for answers, of making sense out of the pain, and of looking for some light in the darkness.

This is Paula's journey, and when she goes on a wilderness retreat -- where it's just her, God, and nature -- she begins to get some comfort for her wounds.

A deeply moving narrative, this book may be short, but the message is deep and lasting. It's a journey well worth taking for anyone who has ever had a tragedy hit their lives where they've had the same questions.

Paula's loss of husband and child brought her into a spiritual wilderness, a void deeper than can ever be explained. Paula shares with us her inner struggles, her ability to let go and go so deep as to be given amazing grace. This search is not easy, it seems when one is ready to give up on oneself, at that very second something/someone transcends us and grace is welcomed and received. Another author who shares with us her insights is Kathleen Norris in her book Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith

Like the first reviewer, I found Paula's book at Laity Lodge during a retreat. I was at a time in my life where I was mourning the stage of life I was in. Somehow, I was able to strangely relate to Paula's experience. I couldn't put the book down and it now holds a very special place in my heart. I am glad Paula had the courage to spend three days alone in the wilderness with nothing to distract her but the voice of God. Now, I hear God in a little different way as well.

Paula D'Arcy gives a very detailed description of her journey in search of God following a terrible tragedy in her personal life. The pilgrimage is long and filled with peaks and valleys. Paula is tested but she survives to write a remarkable tale of how she comes to know God in a deep and intimate way.

The reader's enjoyment is enhanced by Paula's excellent writing. It also doesn't hurt if you like birds and the outdoor life.

After spending the weekend at Laity Lodge with Paula as a guest speaker I have purchased three copies to give as gifts. Paula is a gifted communicator. She has done all the work for us in our pilgrimage of life providing us a map to follow to ease our troubled existence. The red bird appeared all weekend!

This is an excellent book. I received it as a gift and have in turn shared it with a number of friends. Again and again I am encouraged by Paula D'Arcy to have the courage to live my own faith in my own creative and dangerous way.

This book was exactly what I had hoped for in that it was an individual description of a personal spirtual quest and the finding of the divine on this earth. A very uplifting, down-to-earth story that reads amazingly quickly

Very inspirational. I was totally filled with the Holy Spirit. I think I would like to go on a retreat like that. We have so much to learn. Please try it.

Gift of the Red Bird, a Spiritual Encounter, reads like a journal from Paula D'Arcy's life. On August 18, 1975, on a return trip home to Connecticut, Paula's car was struck by a drunk motorist. Her daughter, Sarah, died of head injuries on August 20, and her husband died three days later from a ruptured spleen. Paula was alive and three months pregnant with her second baby daughter, Beth. For this reason, she went on living.

Gift of the Red Bird tells of a story of extreme loss and ache, of searching for answers, of making sense out of the pain, and of looking for some light in the darkness.

This is Paula's journey, and when she goes on a wilderness retreat -- where it's just her, God, and nature -- she begins to get some comfort for her wounds.

A deeply moving narrative, this book may be short, but the message is deep and lasting. It's a journey well worth taking for anyone who has ever had a tragedy hit their lives where they've had the same questions.

I loved this book and have given it as a gift to several women who also loved it. The Gift of the Red Bird is wonderful for women in transition and those who are looking for something more in life. It is also a great book for a women's discussion group. You will likely recognize part of your life journey and perhaps find insights, healing and direction for continuing the journey.