Customer Reviews

When I Lay My Isaac Down: Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

In some theoretical realm we all know that life can change drastically in an instant --- a slip on the ice, a freak accident. But most white-collar, suburban churchgoers do not expect the message that Carol Kent and her husband received in October 1999, just a few weeks after she had mused, "Does life get any better than this?" (Their careers --- directing a national Christian speakers' bureau --- were on track. Their only son --- an earnest Christian, a navy lieutenant --- was married and the stepfather to two young daughters, whom they enjoyed grandparenting.) The devastating news? That their son, Jason, was in jail, charged with the first-degree murder of his wife's ex-husband --- a crime witnessed by several bystanders. With this as the book's setting, you quickly understand the subtitle "Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances."

As may be obvious, the book's title is drawn from the biblical story of Abraham, who was willing to give up all claim to his son Isaac. It is a book about surrender and the paradoxical lessons it can teach. "There is hidden power in our unthinkable circumstances," she says. Subtitles of the eight chapters outline the journey: "The Power of Unthinkable Circumstances;...of Relinquishment;...of Heartache;...of Community;... of Hope;...of Faith;...of Joy;...of Speaking Up."

The narrative, which includes quotes from journals of Carol and her husband, draws the reader into the depths of parental wipeout but without dragging the reader through detailed specifics of the author's own circumstance. It is, at the same time, a very personal and yet impersonal story. You "see" emotion and spiritual process and growth more than you "see" Jason or the courtroom, for example; in some ways Jason is representative of any "heart sacrifice," any relinquished dream. (Unlike Abraham, the Kents have seen no miraculous and evident "deliverance." Jason is serving a sentence of life in prison without parole.) "When we release our grasp...It's an act of trusting God when we cannot envision a positive outcome. But in the end, it's the only thing that works."

Carol's spiritual discussion in some chapters is supplemented by anecdotes tracing other people's faith journeys: a woman hearing that a husband has sexually abused a daughter, a single man losing the love of his life. The copyright page says some of these are "true to life" and included with permission; others are "composites of real situations." This disclaimer made it hard for me to endow a few compelling anecdotes with real-character authenticity.

Because of their nationwide ministry, the Kents have been "upheld" by a network of supportive "stretcher bearers" who have girded them in ways that may be enviable to the average reader. But I encourage the average reader to set aside that distinction and walk this journey alongside the author, who dares through darkness to hope in God's redemptive purposes --- some of which she can identify by the end of the book: "If [we] had never endured unthinkable circumstances, we might not have understood the pain of brokenness.... If there had been 'a lamb in the thicket' for our family, we wouldn't have launched Speak Up for Hope," a new prison-related ministry. "If life hadn't held unspeakable tragedy, we never would have been the recipients of such extravagant love."

Each chapter ends with questions that help the reader process personal pain. To her credit, at the end of the book, Carol goes out of her way to establish that her pain is not necessarily greater than that of other people's losses. "We don't need a meter to tell us which pain hurts the most. All of our heartaches produce great sadness, and telling our stories to each other brings a release, a comfort, and the knowledge that somebody cares." Most of all, she's newly aware of the love of God. "I know He loves me more than I love my 'Isaac.'"

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

Carol Kent not only shares her inexpressible pain over the sudden change/loss in her life due to her only child's arrest for murder, she also takes time to encourage her readers to look into their own lives for the Isaac they may need to lay down--or to reflect on the one they already have. I was brought to tears as I read about her suffering--always shared in a noble and authentic way--so like the Carol I have heard speak and teach. I was able to ponder my own loss, the Isaac that I was called to lay down 25 years ago. A new level of inner healing occurred. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone who is ready for God's mercy and comfort in the midst of sorrow.

Carol Kent has a deep, honest walk with the Lord that does not settle for cliches or easy answers. Her years of study and work as a teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship probably explains why her book rings true beyond the typical mush that the Christian Booksellers Ass'n churns out. I don't know Carol personally but I do know a couple of her friends and they know what it means to suffer, to question, and come to the point where what matters isn't the "answers" but Him and only Him. I grieve over what Carol's family and her son's family have had to endure, but I am so profoundly grateful that Carol journaled through the tragedy and put the raw truth and the magnificent insights into a book. This book will be a classic and should go into multiple printings. It will be read for decades to come.

This is for those who are on a journey that they did not choose.

It's also for those who love someone in the midst of horrific circumstances...it will help you know how to be a support and remain supportive for the long haul.
A practical, gripping, personal, honest and sobering story of Gods presence in a fallen world.
No matter why you read it, you will be challenged to be willing to release what you love to the One who loves you more.
It's a pretty quick read. You will not regret reading this book.

This book will turn you inside out. It is the core of the power of faith. You will be challenged. Tested. That reveals a gift from God - a gift of one mother pouring out her heart, revealing the gift from God, that is ultimately for all of our hearts - in reminding us that faith is ACTION, not passive. Out of the pew and into the battle for souls.

I bought this book on a Thursday morning and finished it within a handful of days. It is the story of the author's son murdering another man and God's work throughout this life shattering tragedy. God's timing for having me read it was incredible. Perhaps it is your time to read this book.

Carol Kent's writing of her family's true life tragedy manages to express both gutwrenching raw honesty with promises of hope and God's true love conquering all. Conquering ALL- rarely can we speak in absolutes and yet she reminds us that God's love conquers ALL. Like me, you will be grateful for the gift of her writing and the courage she displays in sharing her family's story.

This work has a lot to offer by way of (Christian) spiritual help for personal tragedy. And I find it well-written, and honestly thought provoking.

But it has a tone - a certain tone, that troubled me from the beginning. I was unable to name it, until near three-fourths of the way through the book, when the author distilled my discomfort for me. Reciting her journal, she says:

"It will never be possible for me to answer the question, 'What is the greater tragedy? Douglas Miller Jr.'s murder or Jason Kent's life without parole sentence?"

This troubles me greatly, as I have no difficulty discerning the relative societal gravity of those two events.

But it was bold of her to write of her painful experiences, and though I may disagree with the perspective, it is worth the read.

I read When I Lay My Isaac Down and was absolutely amazed at not only the story but also the help it gave me in my every day life. I recommended it to everyone I know, and then I saw the author, Carol Kent, on MSNBC last night. She reminded me of the power of her story and message and, in turn, I wanted to remind all the women out there: read this book!

What an incredible book. I am so thankful for the insight and truthfullness of Carol Kent and sharing her story as a Parent devoted to God, yet her world is shaken when her model 25 yr old military son is arrested and convicted of 1st degree murder. It inspired me and shows Christians are often called to go through times of intense persecution and pain while struggling to hold onto their faith and identify with the suffering of our Savior. It is during those times that the Lord is asking us if we will still hang onto His truths, His faithfullness, and Trust Him, even when you feel like God is absent from the horrific nightmare your living. I get so tired of hearing about the "cushy, prosperity, feel good" Christianity so many Preacher's talk about without honestly admitting and sharing how one can come under the onslaught of attack by the enemy, and in a moment life can be turned upside down. If God didn't spare His own Son from suffering, feelings of being forsaken, and severe trials, all while trusting and hanging onto His Father's Word, we as Christians won't always be spared such things either. The difference is we have Hope, we have Promises, and we have Deliverance just as Jesus did.
What a heart-wrenching story of a woman willing to bare her soul & Praise God for how He used that situation for Good, for refinement, for pruning, and developing a deeper trust & reliance on Him.

This book is worth reading. Very sad because it does not turn out the way I hoped. Carol Kent does a good job of expressing her feelings and expectations without being disrespectful of God. Carol's faith grows through this process and is a wonderful example for us to follow.