After the Locusts: Restoring Ruined Dreams, Reclaiming Wasted Years (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Mentoring at gut level, Coleman writes passionately. Her stories are captivating and relevant, the forgiveness chapter profound yet practical. -- Book Review CBA Marketplace, Feb. 2002, Ginger McGrath

Product Description

In the Bible, they were kosher food. John the Baptist had his with honey. And who can forget when Charleton Heston as Moses cast them over Egypt to persuade Pharaoh to "let my people go?"

We might not be dealing with such biblical blights, but trials and misfortunes still invade our lives, making unwelcome visits that test everything we trust.

Jan Coleman draws a convincing parallel between the locust plagues of old and modern plagues of the heart. They come in many forms; loss of a marriage, death of a loved one, painful abuse, illness or personal failure. As she builds chapter themes around scripture verses from the Book of Joel, Jan highlights women whose lives are a testimony of God's restoration plan. It reminds us that God uses disaster and disappointment to stir people to a new sense of Himself.

Years ago, Jan faced the death of her dreams and felt like a swarm of locusts had swooped down and ruined her future. There were the creeping locusts whispering, "This isn't really happening;" the gnawing locusts whittling away her confidence; the stripping locusts exposing her deep anger. She found a promise of hope tucked in an obscure book in the Old Testament, a promise that shaped her life, the promise that God will "restore the years the locusts have eaten."

Chapter one is titled, "The Big Bug Blitz" and foreshadows the tone of the book which reads like a novel. "The locusts were at it again. I knew it the moment I saw the clouded look in her eye, by the trance-like way she kept pouring cream in her cofffee. 'I can't believe this is happening,' the stranger murmured to our prayer breakfast group. 'I don't think I can go on. I feel so alone.'"

Readers are drawn into Ginger's heart and the pain of a ruined dream. As Jan offers to mentor Ginger through her healing process, we are eyewitnesses to her struggles to trust God again. With biting honesty and wit, Jan reveals her own story of the loss of her marriage, her foolish choices and the ache of prodigal daughters. Ginger moves toward hope as Jan shares stories of other women who reveal their heartbreaks--Phyllis who lost her only child to a tragic car accident, Eileen who was nine months pregnant when her husband drown while diving, Susan whose secret affair with a pastor almost destroyed her, Lisa whose past of abuse brought a distrust for men and God, and author Liz Curtis Higgs whose "bad girl" days, her "locust years" are the heartbreak of her ministry today.

The stories in the book are different, but the feelings of damage and waste, emptiness, fear and regret are common to all. The consistent thread of hope lies in how these women partnered with God to redeem their losses in surprising and wonderful ways. Each of them found a deeper relationship with God and new purpose.

Written with a unique style of warmth and gentle humor, After the Locusts is an uplifting message for every woman; those who has known loss and those who want to offer comfort to others.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: B&H Publishing Group (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805424903
• ISBN-13: 978-0805424904
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,095 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was too good to keep to myself!, May 20, 2002

By	Vickie G. Adkins (Brownsburg, IN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ever read a book that you couldn't stop talking about? After the Locusts is one of those books. Jan Coleman writes as if she's talking directly to you. She shares many stories from friends she's personally encouraged through ruined dreams, and gives you hope that you or someone you know will overcome those wasted years.

This book would be great for a women's Bible study. Highlighting the Book of Joel, Jan Coleman relives her own failed marriage; comparing that loss to the desolation left by a swarm of locusts. After the Locusts touches on coping with the loss of a loved oned, bankruptcy, dealing with troubled teens, divorce, and much more.

You will want to share this book with a friend. I did!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Inspiration to Practical, Loving Help, April 9, 2002

By	Susan B. Wilson (Iowa) - See all my reviews

Jan Coleman has cut to the core of our wounds with "After the Locusts:Restoring Ruined Dreams, Reclaiming Wasted Years". I anticipated using this book as a companion piece to daily Bible study over several weeks. Instead, I read it in 4 days, absorbing, underlining and taking notes before deciding to share it with a friend. Now, I need to buy several more copies for friends who are hurting in ways that "After the Locusts" helps.

Jan reels us in with real life stories of women experiencing the kinds of hurts and tragedies that are familiar to us all. She reminds us that, with a focus on God's truth and love, we can discover wisdom in our ruined dreams for healthier, more joyful lives. To help us move through our pain and regrets, Jan provides story after story to prove that truly trusting God means believing that His purpose is greater than our loss.

In spite of loss, trust God anyway. In spite of loss, love the Lord anyway. In spite of loss, praise His Majesty anyway. These are pieces of beauty that underscore the message of "After the Locusts". Jan reminds each of us that we are not alone in our sadness, our worry, or our grief. All of us have our sufferings. But God created each one of us lovingly and uniquely and desires that we come to him faithfully. And Jan Coleman gives us practical strategies for achieving just that. However, her strategies are grounded in the truths of Scripture.

It is a joy to have the wisdom of "After the Locusts" on my
heart. Between times of loaning it to friends, the book will be a valuable resource in my library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Ministered to Me Like No Other!, April 9, 2002

By	Deborah Searles (Auburn, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Jan Coleman's book speaks to your heart, mind and soul! This is the first book in years that I've read A.L. (After Locusts) from cover to cover. Jan speaks to you as if you were a long-time friend sitting at her kitchen table, bringing tears to your eyes as well as a knowing smile to your lips. Sharing her own experiences as well as those of other women, she candidly recognizes that you are not alone in your struggles, and assures you that there IS light at the end of the tunnel as well as a rainbow after the storm. Reminding us of God's promise, "For I will restore to you the years the locust has eaten." Joel 2:25, she comforts you like the arms of a dear friend. This book ministered to me like no other!