Life is Beautiful
Book Review
About the Book
"Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God" takes you on a full journey of trauma, loss, and finally resilience. While on a mission’s trip in Guatemala, a small Cessna Caravan’s engine blows while carrying fourteen passengers. Unfortunately, the Cessna crashes in a remote village, leaving eleven of the fourteen passengers dead. One passenger, Sarah, shares her story in "Life is Beautiful", about the deaths of her father and brother; her mother’s extreme physical and emotional injuries, and Sarah’s self-discovery to accept this new life.
"Life is Beautiful", however, is more than a story about an airplane crash. "Life is Beautiful" shares the personal struggles of Sarah’s father’s drug use, his recovery, and redemption to be a better person. He gives back by doing missions work in Africa, takes in Sarah’s aunt dying of uterine cancer, and eventually leads their family to the mountains of Guatemala. Sarah also discusses her struggles with alcohol use and depression; where she eventually hits rock bottom. It is not until she starts seeking God through prayer, books, and therapy, where she starts to turn her life around.
"Life is Beautiful" is not only a unique story, but it shows the strength of God’s Will. When all hope is lost, she never gives up on God. This story is a true testimony of God’s love for His people, and when one seeks a spiritual journey and connection with God; He gives back in love, forgiveness, and happiness.
My Review
"Life is Beautiful" takes you on a heart-wrenching journey of a teenager's struggles and traumatic experiences to a place of courage and healing. It is a book about dysfunctional families, drug and alcohol abuse, and a horrific plane crash that brings about death and loss. It's also about self-discovery, destiny, living life with purpose, making good choices and finding God.
"Life is Beautiful" is a true story and it's almost impossible to read it without crying. It moves quickly with descriptive details and there are photos placed throughout the pages. It's easy to get lost in the story and, since it's only 198 pages long, it's very possible to finish in one day.
Things I Appreciate about the Book
I really appreciated how the author came to realize that she couldn't change others, but she could change herself. She learned to accept other people's differences, even if it was hard. She also believed that her relationship with God was her own personal faith walk. She wanted to be an authentic child of God, to be who she was meant to be. The Epilogue is a very important ending to the book. It's about a life that is still being lived to its fullest.
Who I Recommend This Book To
I would recommend this book to many people for different reasons. It helps young people think about their life choices when entering the college scene. It helps people who are addicts to seek help. It helps people to understand how to cope with dysfunctional family members. It helps people who have suffered the loss of a loved one. And, it helps people find a real relationship with God.
About the Author:
Sarah M. Johnson
Sarah M. Johnson holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. She plans to open up a private practice office and guide those who are seeking their own self-discoveries of love and happiness.
Sarah believes that adversity is a gateway for change, and that through the difficult times of sorrow, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, disease, or other mental illness, we can use this adversity to self-explore and change for the better. We must not run away from the adversity, but face it, heal, and use this particular adversity as a learning lesson.
Sarah would love to use her book; "Life is Beautiful", as a gateway for inspiring and guiding others on their own personal transformations and self-discoveries.
Disclosure: I received a free digital copy of this book for my honest review.
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