A Good and Perfect Gift by Amy Julia Becker is a true story of a normal couple that experienced a normal pregnancy and delivered what they thought was a normal baby girl. What they got was an exceptional gift that they now call Penny.
Shortly after birth the doctors announce that Penny “may” have Down Syndrome. Already dealing with the emotions that a newborn brings, Amy’s heart is now facing a set of emotions that she had not counted on; fear, doubt, wonder and everything in between. The one thing Amy cannot escape is the voice of our Lord whispering to her, saying… “Whoever receives this child, receives me.”
This book is a two year account of the raw emotions that this family went though. Amy is honest in her feelings and fears as she wonders if people are helping and wishing them well because they are excited about their new addition or if they feel sorry for them for having a “Special Needs” child.
Finally, in the midst of all the activities, fears, frustrations and various emotions, Amy receives an email that enlightens her heart.
“I can’t wait to see the ministry that Penny will have.”
Amy had not considered that not only would Penny be blessed, but that she would also be a blessing.
Love does amazing things when it grows each day. I hope you’ll join Amy in moving beyond normal and finding the extraordinary by reading through the book, refocusing your heart and remember that perfection is over rated because as long as there is love and gratitude, the frustrations and fears of the unknown will fall into place.
Have things been anything but normal? Have you had periods when you face such a fear that you wonder how your heart will go on, you wonder where will the love and compassion come from?
Do frustrations keep your emotions on a roller coaster so much that you can’t even hear a whisper from our Lord and Savior?
May I remind you that Normal is a setting on the dryer and what you are enduring is preparing you for a ministry that will be a blessing.
I’m always amazed at how God uses the ordinary for something extraordinary.
If you’d like a chance to win this book, please comment below. I’d love to hear how “normal” fits into your world.
Do you look for and long for normal?
Do you try to have the perfect family?
Favorite quotes
“I had to trust that she would keep growing up and become even more who she was: bright, delightful, a joy. I had to trust that I, too, would keep growing up. It wasn’t hard to believe that love would keep changing me.”
“How will I ever love another child as much as I love Penny?”
“ I don’t want to hope, sometimes, because I don’t want the fear that accompanies the hope.”
“I find myself angry that Penny has this extra chromosome. Some of that anger has to do with the problems it may cause her, that life might be harder for her than it would otherwise be. But much of my anger comes because life with a child with Down Syndrome is probably going to be harder for me…”
I’d like to thank Bethany House – a division of Baker Publishing Group for the complimentary copy. I am not required to give a positive review.
Please follow Amy on Twitter here
Personal Note: I have to tell you, this book hit me on a personal level. When my son was 4, our “normal” life was changed forever when we finally figured out that he had Tourette Syndrome after series of testing and doctors visits. The questions, fears of him being picked on, relentlessly harassed and a million other things flooded my heart for the entire year prior to his starting school. During that year, a friend of mine said something that pierced my heart with guilt. Without skipping a beat, she said
“well, you always wanted to work with children with special needs and now you get to.”
I felt so guilty that I wanted to work with “other people’s children” with special needs and never considered that I would have one of my own. From that moment on, I started to look at things differently. Yes, sometimes with fear, but trusting that as I had prayed while I was pregnant with him that he’d serve God in a mighty way, that he will be used…Tourette Syndrome or not.
He is an extraordinary gift, just as Penny is.
© 2011, Spreading Joy. All rights reserved.
I have 2 children. After a normal first pregnancy, i was overwhelmed when my precious baby girl was born with a serious reflux problem. She was ill for months before she was diagnosed, and during the first months she didn’t sleep! She cried almost every hour of every day; she could only sleep while lying on our bellies. I had a toddler, a cold and abusive husband, and judgment flying from his family about my parenting skills!! Oh my- it was one of the hardest times I’ve ever had! I can relate! No matter what- good mothers love their babies and try anything to help them. Her pain was out of my control, I took her to the doctor often! God bless you and your precious baby! Keep Gods words in ur heart and leave the meanies comments out- they speak from ignorance and no experience. I will keep y’all in my prayers!
I would love to have this book. It sounds wonderful