Customer Reviews

When Dreams Come True: A Love Story Only God Could Write

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must confess, I have read a lot of books on dating and relationships. Generally, these books are a waste of time. Many of them attempt to be a "how to guide" on dating, when in reality there can be no such thing. A few books on relationships give some good ideas about dating. (or courtship, let's not get picky about terminology here) and what to do on a date, but that's about it.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE is not like that. This book tells the story of how Eric and Leslie Ludy first met, how they became friends, and how they eventually fell in love with each other. It's that simple. This isn't a self help or how to book and I am grateful for that. However, in telling their story, the Ludys do give us a glimpse into what happens when we place our love lives in the hands of God.

I understand that the way Eric and Leslie met and grew in fondess for each other will not work for everyone; that's why most current books on "relationships" are a waste of time because there is no one way to meet someone and begin a relationship. However, their lives are an encouragement for others who have already placed their lives in God's hands and are waiting for that special someone to come along. Also, unlike many other books on relationships, this couple does not preach at people; they don't say that because this is how their relationship developed, this is the way everyone has to do it. Instead they just tell their story.

It was also nice to see the story told from both sides (male & female), rather than the usual slanted male or female author's point of view. When you wait with God, dreams really do come true.

This is not a book with directions on "the way" to do things. It is simply the very honest story of how God worked in the Ludys' lives to bring them together. Eric and Leslie take turns writing chapters throughout this book. They begin by describing their childhoods, their adolescences, and how they lost their innocence. They tell of different relationships they went through and left them hurt and feeling dirty and defiled. I thought they were rather too descriptive for young people without the same experiences, but then the beauty at the end is more beautiful when compared to the beginning. Also, I think their story would be encouraging for those who have had the same kind of adolescence and disillusionment regarding true love.

They explain how they came to know the Lord and how their relationship with Him changed their life. They finally gave their entire life to Him, including their love life, committing not to date another person except the one they will marry.

Their meeting is described, at the time when Eric was 21 and Leslie, 16. They tell how they struggled with their relationship, trying to keep it at just friends, yet with the Lord drawing them closer. They came to the conclusion that they were meant for each other, but that they weren't ready yet for marriage, rather like Jim and Elisabeth Elliot. They continue to grow and mature in their spiritual lives, as well as their love for each other. When they decided it was time for them to become engaged and get married, they committed to save their first kiss for their wedding.

The last pages of the book tell of their wedding. Eric tells of his tears as he waits for his bride. Leslie writes of her nervousness before the wedding, and the peace and happiness that came over her as she walked down the aisle to Eric. It was so familiar; I don't know how many brides feel that way, but I know I did. They told how their first kiss was so special because they had saved it for marriage.

I thought their book was a sweet story of how God can change lives, and how His plan for us is the best and most beautiful. For those who have similar backgrounds, it may be helpful in their own lives. Those who have grown up with and held to a higher standard of purity in relationships will not find much to apply to their lives. The Ludys have seen God do amazing and wonderful things through the surrender in their lives, but those how have kept themselves to their ideals, to physical and emotional purity, and to a relationships with a greater parental involvement, will have a sweeter story to tell.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE is the autobiographical story of Eric and Leslie Ludy, authors of WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY. If you read WGWYLS then you got a taste of what the Ludy's tale was like. It's expanded upon greatly here and it turns out that their story is worth reading in its entirety.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE follows the lives of Eric and Leslie from childhood through marriage, in first-person point of view but from both of their perspectives. What the Ludy's are trying to accomplish in relating their past is to keep alive the dream of a real, pure love story for those who might think it is all a myth. Eric and Leslie were raised in the church but both made some bad relationship choices in their teen years. Leslie relates that because of her mistakes she thought the dream of finding a Godly mate (her "knight") was no longer possible. But, of course, there's a happy ending. Because both of them got serious with the Lord and began to seek after Him wholly God began to move in their lives. Individually they had made the choice to give Him total control of everything, including their love life. And that's where things began to look up.

WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE, then, is a powerful testimony to what can happen if you put God first in your life -- your whole life. The Ludy's are a powerful example of just how much more beautiful one's own personal love story can be when it's told by the Maker Himself, rather than in our own feeble ways. Their philosophy on this subject is better related in WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY (I recommend picking it up), but there's something fascinating and lovely about reading through their whole experience and seeing the hand of God upon their lives. Not only was I touched by the read but inspired in my walk as well -- to strive harder for the things which they did in theirs.

If you're desiring to let the Lord show you a better way in your relationships, or if you are in a place where you feel like it's no longer possible for something this good to happen for you then this is a book you need to read. Everyone will have a different story, but I believe that things ultimately can be just as amazing as they were for the Ludy's if we let the same Author take control of ours. For the Christian single, you can't do much better than the Ludy's books. FIVE STARS.

I am a college student and I read a lot of books on biblical relationships and marriage because I feel it is important to be prepared. This past Sunday night I read the ENTIRE book. I had to wake up at 6 the next morning for work and did not put it down until I was done at 2AM. What an incredible testimony of God's grace and purification and renewal in the lives of His children! When we are surrendered to Him, He just does amazing things. I must warn you, however, that in WHATEVER capacity your future spouse proposes to you, it WILL NOT be more beautiful than what Eric Ludy did!!! I don't know how God will write my story so that I'm not jealous of Leslie. =)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE (ok, I absolutely devoured it) precisely because it is not a preachy book. More importantly, though, WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE made me want to emulate Eric Ludy.
Eric and Leslie longed to be together. Until their wedding day, however, they were focused on being used by God in whatever way He wanted to use each of them. Eric was focused on missions and on a teaching job. Leslie was focused on being an encouragement to the women around her.
While WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE is not a how-to book, it does show readers that it is possible for two sweethearts to be focused more on their respective relationships with Jesus Christ than on each other. To those readers who are asking how we can be focused more on Jesus than on the person in whom we are romantically interested, I recommend the prequel to WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE (which is titled When God Writes Your Love Story). Just in case you are wondering, the prequel to WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE isn't a how-to book, either.

When you wait on God, dreams really do come true.

Eric and Leslie have hit it on the nose once again. This is a great book. With lots of humor and great honesty. This is better than any of the sappy romance novels out there. I finished it at 1am because I could not put it down in the last few chapters. It also came at a time when I started to question if I was right in purity. I know I am right (as God has told me many times) but it is great to know that others have gone through this and come out with the sweetest gift of all. So everyone please read this book. I saw another person say that she now believes in "Happily Ever After"...well I do to. Maybe we should all form a club!:-)

Wow! What a fun book to read.
I loved its fun way of weaving their story together. This book I bought for myself and when my wife found out it read like a couple combining their love diaries and stories and remembrances she just took the book from me and she stayed up all hours reading the book. I did get my chance and I couldn't resist the "what happened next" feeling I kept getting. A hint at the dream...two virgins...both almost lost purity...regained sense...held out for better...and wow.
My gut opinion: this book is in the top ten for my kids to read.
I think girls in particular will ABSOLUTELY FALL IN LOVE with reading this book.
This is not primarily a kid book to be given to teenagers to read. I think it is really a love story told to people like me. A father, husband, and romantic. I do think it is an excellent book for teens. I love it when a book is able to cross boundaries. It lets me connect with my kids in a fresh way.
I went back later and bought another copy for a friend.
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If you like this book check out their other book WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY, ISBN 1-929125-00-3, it uses the "let me tell my story" approach to a much lesser degree but it still includes a lot of personal detail about the ludy's lives.
Thumbs up for both books.

Eric and Leslie have touched a very special part of my heart with this book. God has been able to use it to soften and renew hope in areas of my heart that were shut off and hopeless. This book has sparked such a strong rekindling in my intimate relationship with Jesus and I feel as if I am experiencing His first love all over again...and in some ways for the first time. I recommend this book to ANY single men and women, especially if you have lowered your standards for yourself and your future spouse. The quest for purity and faithfullness to your future spouse is not a lost and pointless one. Even if your past hasn't been "kosher". Mine wasn't, but this book has helped me find forgiveness and a realization that if we think that we are to bad to accept God's perfect forgiveness then we are saying what he did on the cross wasn't good enough. Keep on Keepin' on!

Eric and Leslie do it again. Somehow they can use their love story over and over again and it brings home totally different points. After reading this book I fell more in love with Jesus than ever before. I actually have realized the importance of it. When you are so involved with Him, you feel the need for no one else, but also, if a future spouse is waiting for you, you want him to be like Jesus, so naturally its only logical to conclude that he is looking for the same. This book is just phenomenal, it also includes song lyrics that Eric and Leslie have written at the ends of chapters from their CD "Heavenly Perspective." The CD is a must have!! It's their best one! Their songs are like personal prayers put to music. There is nothing proud about them; they give God every ounce of credit for everything in their lives. This book, like all their others, is not a guide to successful dating or anything of the sort, just their beautiful story.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was so interesting that it was hard to put it down. I appreciate Leslie and Eric's honesty in the book. It made it easier for me to relate to what they were saying. The book helped me to see better the bad side of dating before you are old enough to ever think about marriage.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to single people who are tired of dating and have not found their true love.