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When a Child Breaks your Heart Help for Hurting Moms
When a son or daughter chooses a different path from mom and dad, or when tragedy strikes a family, it is hard to reconcile the present with all our hopes for the future. Our children's decisions may conflict with the way we raised them. We may lose contact as members of the family shut each other out. Barbara Johnson tells her family's searing story honestly and compassionately. She offers hope to families facing similar circumstances, sharing how God brought her through the deep waters without letting her drown--and how he will do the same for them.
- GenresParenting
ebook
First published October 1, 2008
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About the author
Barbara Johnson
66 books92 followersLibrarian note: There are other authors with the same name
Barbara Johnson (1927-2007) died July 2nd, 2007 of cancer (Central Nervous System Lymphoma) after a valiant 6 year fight against the disease. During her illness, she added four more books to her long list of published works, including one that takes humorous pokes at her life with cancer. Affectionately called the “Geranium Lady,” a title taken from her bestselling book, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy, her homespun humor and hope in God in the midst of tragedy, ministered to millions.
A strong Christian woman who relied on her faith in God and her sense of humor to persevere through many devastating experiences, her life was plagued by a string of tragedies. Her husband was in a near fatal accident and slowly recovered from debilitating injuries. She lost one son in Vietnam and another son to a drunk driver. Her third son was estranged from the family while pursuing a homosexual lifestyle. But, she emerged from these experiences having learned that though pain is inevitable, people can choose to pick flowers instead of weeds.
Her compassion extended far beyond the pages of her encouraging books. Wanting to use her own pain to help others, she and her husband Bill founded Spatula Ministries, a unique organization that uses a “spatula of love” to help parents “peel themselves off the ceiling” and begin on the road to recovery. She wrote her first book after reaching the age of 50 and was voted “Celebrity Mom of the Year” for 1996. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, she toured across the country as a popular conference speaker and part of the "Women of Faith" tour. Her many books have comforted millions of women, bringing them hope and humor in times of distress. She will be missed by many, but her life will live on in her numerous books.
Barbara Johnson (1927-2007) died July 2nd, 2007 of cancer (Central Nervous System Lymphoma) after a valiant 6 year fight against the disease. During her illness, she added four more books to her long list of published works, including one that takes humorous pokes at her life with cancer. Affectionately called the “Geranium Lady,” a title taken from her bestselling book, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy, her homespun humor and hope in God in the midst of tragedy, ministered to millions.
A strong Christian woman who relied on her faith in God and her sense of humor to persevere through many devastating experiences, her life was plagued by a string of tragedies. Her husband was in a near fatal accident and slowly recovered from debilitating injuries. She lost one son in Vietnam and another son to a drunk driver. Her third son was estranged from the family while pursuing a homosexual lifestyle. But, she emerged from these experiences having learned that though pain is inevitable, people can choose to pick flowers instead of weeds.
Her compassion extended far beyond the pages of her encouraging books. Wanting to use her own pain to help others, she and her husband Bill founded Spatula Ministries, a unique organization that uses a “spatula of love” to help parents “peel themselves off the ceiling” and begin on the road to recovery. She wrote her first book after reaching the age of 50 and was voted “Celebrity Mom of the Year” for 1996. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, she toured across the country as a popular conference speaker and part of the "Women of Faith" tour. Her many books have comforted millions of women, bringing them hope and humor in times of distress. She will be missed by many, but her life will live on in her numerous books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 30, 2019
This was a good read if not a little dated as it takes place in the 70's. Still some good info to glean from this mother's journey and heartbreak.
August 18, 2020
Very narrow circumstances
Although this mother could not have dreamed a fate worse than homosexuality for her son, and thus her, there are so many, many ways a child can hurt their parent. Hostility, perennial disrespect, ingratitude, forsaken values of basic faith. This was over simplistic,and assumed the complex matter of homosexuality is nothing more than choosing to repent.
Although this mother could not have dreamed a fate worse than homosexuality for her son, and thus her, there are so many, many ways a child can hurt their parent. Hostility, perennial disrespect, ingratitude, forsaken values of basic faith. This was over simplistic,and assumed the complex matter of homosexuality is nothing more than choosing to repent.
January 31, 2017
Honest
This was a very honest and helpful. I would recommend it to anyone with a prodigal son or daughter. I appreciated Barbara's advice.
This was a very honest and helpful. I would recommend it to anyone with a prodigal son or daughter. I appreciated Barbara's advice.
August 3, 2020
Never stop believing
God is in Control. All we are called to do is Love. He will always seek the one...”We like sheep have all gone astray”
God is in Control. All we are called to do is Love. He will always seek the one...”We like sheep have all gone astray”
January 31, 2021
The story and situation the author Barbara Johnson was faced with now seems dated but much of the advice in the book is still good and relevant, especially for Christians.
August 25, 2009
This is one of those books that I looked at the title and thought "just what I need". I didn't even look at the back to see what it was about, which obviously it is not what I had thought. The struggles and tragedies this mother has gone through with her four sons makes my concerns seem so trivial.
As I said, this book is not what I thought. It's about a mother dealing with finding out one of her three sons is homosexual. She had four boys; lost one in Vietnam, one to a head on collision and the other as I previously stated. Touching book and a lot of advice I could relate to my own struggles. I need to learn to not sweat the small stuff and realize that my son is in God's hands now and he will lead him in the direction he is to go.
As I said, this book is not what I thought. It's about a mother dealing with finding out one of her three sons is homosexual. She had four boys; lost one in Vietnam, one to a head on collision and the other as I previously stated. Touching book and a lot of advice I could relate to my own struggles. I need to learn to not sweat the small stuff and realize that my son is in God's hands now and he will lead him in the direction he is to go.
September 15, 2012
Some points in this book could be useful in helping parents deal with an adult child who is engaged in any activity that they feel is harmful to them or not honoring to God, and does come from a Christian perspective. However, it deals mainly with homosexuality, and seems a little bit dated at times.
June 5, 2012
EXCELLENT READ
May 16, 2015
Thank you for writing this book.
I thought I was the only one to know this pain. The abandonment is so raw and the dependence on God becomes the only relief.
I thought I was the only one to know this pain. The abandonment is so raw and the dependence on God becomes the only relief.
January 26, 2011
Backed with Christian values and scripture.
June 28, 2014
Very helpful and encouraging.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews