Sunday, September 19, 2010

Choosing to See: A New Book by Mary Beth Chapman



I just read on facebook that Mary Beth Chapman's new book, Choosing to See, is now at #13 on the New York Times bestseller list. I went and read the reviews on Amazon and it sounds really good. Here is the description on Amazon:
From Publishers Weekly
Chapman, wife to singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, tells the story of her life and loss in this tender memoir. Chapman discloses how unsuited she is to be the public figure spouse to a charismatic and outgoing husband. Marrying him totally upset her orderly mental image of a quiet life in the suburbs with a 9 to 5 working husband. Instead, she discovered that God gave her a life she didn't expect that has taken her places she didn't want to go. As Chapman tells it, fame, travel, and adoption of children took this quiet woman out of her comfort zone more times than she cares to remember. In 2008, the tragic death of their five-year-old daughter, Maria, led to still more inner heartache. The Chapmans' story is harrowing and deeply sorrowful, yet the author finds a way to communicate their hope, faith, and love for a faithful God in every moment by grace-infused moment.

Product Description
I've told my kids for years that God doesn't make mistakes," writes Mary Beth Chapman, wife of Grammy award winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. "Would I believe it now, when my whole world as I knew it came to an end?" Covering her courtship and marriage to Steven Curtis Chapman, struggles for emotional balance, and living with grief, Mary Beth's story is our story--wondering where God is when the worst happens. In Choosing to SEE, she shows how she wrestles with God even as she has allowed him to write her story--both during times of happiness and those of tragedy. Readers will hear firsthand about the loss of her daughter, the struggle to heal, and the unexpected path God has placed her on.


Here's one of the customer reviews:
I pre-ordered this book since I grew up listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's music, and my husband & I have an interest in adoption. Honestly, I am an avid reader, and have read LOTS of Christian books, both fiction & non-fiction, and, honestly, after a while they kind of all seem to sound the same. I found this book to be very refreshing and honest. Humbly and frankly addressing topics that are often 'taboo' in Christian circles, such as depression, not 'having it all together', doubts, anxiety, etc. was a change, for one. While reading the book, I felt like I was meeting someone like me, almost like talking to a friend, instead of someone leading a perfect life trying to tell me how to make mine perfect as well, following their method. I would highly recommend reading this book.


Sounds like my kind of book, as a quiet person myself, who often feels overwhelmed and inadequate for my tasks. After I read it I'll add my own review as well.

2 comments:

Christine said...

I haven't read the book - but what happened to them is one of the saddest stories ever. Let us know how the family survived their awful tragedy.

Jennie said...

Yes, it was horrifying. I felt so bad for them, and terrified at how easy it is for something like that to happen and change life forever. One of our girls was about the same age and like a day or two before while I was at my parents' house, she came outside while I was about to back out. She wasn't supposed to be outside, and I just happened to look over and see her. That scared us all good because my Mom didn't know she had come out. When the Chapmans' tragedy happened it hit so hard that that could have been us. It's only by God's grace that we all survive and that we don't do terrible harm to the others around us.