Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott (Book Review)

Title: Rachel's Tears
Authors: Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Biography/Religious
ISBN: 978-1-4003-1347-1
This book was made available for me to read from Thomas Nelson.

First sentence: The events of April 20, 1999, have generated miles of print in newspapers and magazines and months' worth of coverage on TV and radio all over the world.

In a few days, on April 20th, it will be the tenth anniversary of the Columbine tragedy. Two boys, armed with guns and bombs, killed 12 students and a teacher before turning the guns on themselves. One of those students was Rachel Joy Scott.

Rachel was not the most popular, or the smartest, or the prettiest - but she had a light shining within her. This light was the love and personal relationship she with the Lord. This light was Jesus living inside her.

Not until after her death did her parents even realize the depth of Rachel's personal relationship with Christ. This was discovered through the numerous journals and drawings that she left behind.

Rachel's Tears gives us a glimpse of this amazing girl's short life. Told through stories and observations from her parents, family and close friends, we see what a special girl Rachel was. She reached out to anyone who was needing, regardless of race, popularity, looks, etc.

Through writings from her journals we see her deep love for God and her willingness to serve Him and do His will. We also her humility and her struggles.

Dear God,
Why do I feel dry in Your Spirit? Why do I feel that the fire has died withing me, yet so many claim they see he light of You, oh God, burning brightly? Why do I have to feel moments of doubt, distrust, disbelief, stages of anger and stages of loneliness when it comes to You, Father? Why do I lose focus of you during praise and worship as well as prayer? Why can't I completely be consumed by You? Why can't I be used by You? Why do I feel self-righteous at times? Why do I feel afraid? (Rachel's Tears, p111 - an entry from her journal)

This book has touched me in many ways. It makes me see how I would like to be with my walk with God - how I would like my family to be. It shows how God can take a tragic situation and use it for His good. It shows how one person, one child, can change so many.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read this book a few weeks ago. I think I cried the entire time. Isn't it amazing how a child can stand up so strongly for God, and as Adults most of us fall. What an amazing Girl!

Unknown said...

I just recently finished this and like Bookish Mom I cried most of the way through it also.

It was so touching and inspirational. I found it amazing that she seemed to know that something was going to happen to her. Not only was she being sent messages, but she was open enough in her spirituality to actually receive and understand what God was telling her. Good Story!

Kelly said...

God Bless Rachel's family for sharing this, it must have been very hard for them.

Tea said...

The title "Rachel's Tears" fills my heart up. I still remember that day with tears.

Staci said...

I read this book after it was first published and was quite moved by it. I can't believe that it's been 10 years already from that horrible day. I hope others will stop and remember and read this book too.

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