In her memoir, Everything Happens for A Reason Kate Bowler writes about living with Stage IV Cancer in the most real way, but her book is not only for those with cancer, or those who live with a chronic illness, it’s for anyone who has ever said that “everything happens for a reason”, it’s for the Church; in short, if you’re breathing then you need to read this.
My Review
I first read this when I was in the middle of getting diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and I was struggling with God, the Church, and my life in general. I felt instantly understood not only because she was writing about failing health and what that’s like as a follower of Jesus, but because she was unapologetically honest.
When most people around me were saying things like, “Everything happens for a reason.”
Kate said exactly the opposite and I was able to take a deep breath and know that it was okay that I didn’t believe that everything happens for a reason at all.
“What would it mean for Christians to give up that little piece of the American Dream that says, “You are limitless”? Everything is not possible. The mighty kingdom of God is not yet here. What if ‘rich’ did not have to mean ‘wealthy’, and ‘whole’ did not have to mean ‘healed’? What if being the people of “the gospel” meant that we are simply people with good news? God is here. We are loved. It is enough.”
― Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved
Kate’s writing comes right from her heart; it’s witty, ironic, hilarious, touching, raw, deeply emotional, and thoughtful. Her book is one of those books that I highlight until there is little left to highlight, one of those books that makes me laugh and cry exactly as much as it did the first read-through.
When I read it, I wanted to recommend it to everyone I knew, and when I sat in waiting rooms in hospitals and doctors’ offices and saw the people around me, I wished I had copies for everyone.
Conclusion
This book, as I said before, is for anyone who’s breathing. It’s for anyone who wants to live like they’re dying, because that’s the only way to live.
You can go buy it here on Amazon in Kindle, audiobook, hardcover, or paperback form.
Readability — 5/5
Breadth / Depth of — Content 5/5
Helpfulness — 5/5
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