If you suffer from chronic pain, then you are familiar with the intense desire for an end to your agony. And you might have offered up many prayers for relief. If you can relate, then Maryanne’s story will inspire and give you hope.
When her career as a graphic artist came to an unexpected end, she sought God’s will for her life. She loves God very much and reasoned she’d serve him best by entering religious life as a sister in a convent. Around the same time, she first started experiencing debilitating pain that medical experts could not explain or diagnose. Many years later, she learned that the “thorn in her flesh” was incurable.
When you have a chronic condition, sympathy from others eventually dries up. The expectation is that you must “get on with it” in your role as a functioning member of society. This was what Maryanne experienced. So she leaned on God, the only one who could change her situation. This led to countless hours spend in prayer as she searched for answers.
What I love about this memoir is the author’s vulnerability as her journey of pain led to yet another crossroad. She owns up to her mistakes, even as she highlights the crushing impact the dwindling emotional support from her community had on her. Her persistence in prayer is admirable, and her struggle to find God’s will is relatable. There are many lessons you can learn from Maryanne's life.
Each chapter starts with a Bible verse that relates to what follows. The writing is easy to read–in fact, it’s a page-turner. I lost a few hours of sleep as I read into the wee hours of the night to learn how she resolved her situation. It is very gripping.
This true story will appeal to sufferers of chronic pain or any other chronic condition. It will benefit those who’d like to learn how to persevere in prayer. Approach it with an open mind and heart. You’re bound to find hope and encouragement from this book.
(This review was published on Reedsy/Discovery:https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/beh...