For the Love of God: A Memoir

by Jackie Guinn

In 1972, Jackie was twenty-two years old, married twice, and divorced once. After finally getting out of her turbulent second marriage, she learns that her baby daughter, Jenny, is profoundly brain-damaged. Despite pressure to institutionalize her, Jackie decides to care for Jenny alone. Jackie works two jobs to pay for Jenny’s mounting medical a cocktail waitress on weekends and an office girl at Cessna during the week. Despite her sin and naivety, God patiently draws Jackie to Himself through Jenny.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Family

258 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2024

About the author

I was born in Wichita, KS and grew up in Kansas City. (Go Chiefs)

I became a Christian in 1975 after the death of my three-year-old daughter. My testimony will be in my upcoming book "For the Love of God: A Memoir."

I raised four children during the 80s and 90s, and I home schooled them during a time when parents could go to jail for removing their kids from public schools.

When my youngest was sixteen, I entered college and obtained both a bachelor's and master's degree in Secondary Education. For the next fifteen years, I taught English Language Arts in public high school.

Reviews

[Amanda Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

This book was heartbreaking and sweet at the same time. The love of a mother for her child is powerful, and the author simply shared her testimony of how she cared for her child. Because of the pain and suffering she experienced, she found a relationship with God, and the book focuses on how His truth was revealed to her, her husband, and how they eventually came to mentor other people.

The writing is given to us in plain English, but that leads to being able to settle into the story and to dig deep into what this family experienced. I almost felt, at times, like I was in the audience of a conference, listening to the author pour out her heart as the keynote speaker.

I applaud her for not glossing over the hard parts. She never gives excuses for her choices, but instead gives glory to God once she has a relationship with Him for redeeming her because He loves her.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackie's life wasn't exactly easy. In her early twenties, she was divorced from husband #2, and trying to support her severely handicapped daughter. She had a fairly good job, but medical bills were piling up so she got a second job. She had a lot of struggles with finding babysitters, but she constantly did what was needed for her Jenny. She was what made Jackie's struggles worth it. Eventually, Jackie fell in love with Allen, and he gladly shared the burden, caring for Jenny as if she was his own. When Jenny passed away, Jackie turned to a God she barely knew. She believed Jenny was in heaven and she also wanted to go there when she died so she could be reunited with her. She didn't know how to make that possible, so she and Allen started on a journey to know God.

A good story about unconditional love, finding God, and finally realizing why God sometimes doesn't interfere when bad things happen. I recommend reading this heartfelt book. #GoodreadsGiveaways

[Ashleigh Pressy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Good Reads giveaway! This memoir is filled with a every emotion a mother raising a special needs child can go through and how it brought her to the Lord.

The fight and strength to move mountains for your children so they have a fighting chance is a quality women/mom's have. But when I see or hear about a story like Jenny's and Jackie's and the difficulties she faced but the love between a mother and her child is just that.

Through the heartbreaking and tragic moments God was there. Jackie's nightly prayers for Jenny that also included The Lord's Prayer. Didn't mean we get a pass on the hard stuff that life throws at us. But out of all the tests it became a testimony!

[Lydia Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway! 🥳🥳

Jackie Guinn is someone we can all learn from. This memoir tells us the story of a young woman who truly knows and understands what the word mother means. Guinn works tirelessly, hires babysitters, takes her daughter to hospitals for regular exams, and remains patient despite all the challenges that come with being a parent for the first time. As a single mother, Guinn never fails her daughter. She does everything in her power to protect and care for Jenny, and even after Jenny's death, she stays steadfast.

Guinn's journey to Christianity and finding Jesus Christ is one that kept me hooked the entire time I was reading this. I loved this book. It's a great feeling to look at another person's journey and admire their strength and resilience. Guinn wasn't perfect and didn't always make the best decisions, but despite her flaws, she's still a phenomenal person.

I highly recommend you read this. It's eye-opening, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and suspenseful all at once.

[Tami Havel Paalman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Goodreads for this wonderful book that I won through a giveaway. I received it in the mail today and knew I would spend my afternoon reading it. This is a beautifully written book about motherhood, love, loss, and found faith. The writer pays great attention to detail. I felt like an in person spectator to so many of the events. Being born in the 1970s, I smiled at the author's many mentions of smoking cigarettes EVERWHERE! My late mother mentioned propping her ashtray on her stomach while pregnant with me. It is such a different world now, but the love of a mother is timeless!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.

A beautiful testament of the love a mother has for her daughter. There are some religious aspects, but they are not overwhelming.I know Jackie and Jenny, and their story will stick with me for a long time.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good but sad read.

Young woman had a baby with her husband. The little girl was born brain damaged.
As time went on, the baby had more issues. She finally passed away.
Later on, woman got remarried and had a daughter and a set of twins.
During that time, both she and her husband became saved.

[Beverly Duckworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of For the Love of God:A Memoir

I won this book from Goodreads after reading I am to review. This book is about a single young lady named Jackie and her brain damaged daughter named Jenny. She tells about the health issues her daughter has and in the 1970's she has to fight for her to get medical and rehabilitation she.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a memoir, which I love, but she spends a lot of time describing a lot of cigarette smoking. Of course they did that in the '70s. I like all of the descriptions of that era, I was pretty saddened by the long-term care, after a while it was hard to read. But it is a good testimony of how she comes to Christ.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a kindle ARC of this book. It was a very simply written memoir of the authors’s daughter. It was a rather sad story. I found it hard to enjoy as every 5 seconds she wrote of someone taking a drag on a cigarette. It got to be too redundant for my taste. I’m glad the author was able to have more children after such loss though.

[Sara Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was inspiring and uplifting. The author describes the scenes so well that I felt like I was standing there watching it unfold as I was reading. Thank you for picking me as the giveaway winner!

[Tasha Anisimov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I am a mother of three, two with special needs and being an avid reader and never have I found a book that I could relate to so much! I won this book in a giveaway and feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to hear this testimony! ❤️

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and was a little worried that I wouldn’t really love it, reading it through the lens of a non-religious person. The religious content is light, and not preachy. The story itself is incredibly touching, and a lovely tribute to Jenny.

[Shelly Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. It’s a very well written book and portrays an accurate 1970’s culture. This woman who cares for her child is an incredible story of perseverance and love. She learns to trust God and his plan for her life. Definitely worth the read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Loved this book. The way Jackie tells the story of her journey to God and at the same time tells the reader about her dear Jenny was beautiful. Even though Jenny passes this story, it is just so uplifting.

[Tammy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mothers love

I started thus book a few hours ago and couldn't put it down. A beautiful story of a mothers love for her daughter and the wanting of the knowledge and love of our Lord. Through him all things are possible.

[Kayla Lister · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a beautiful tribute to a daughter from a mother. The writing was engaging, and I really felt for the entire family I was reading about. This mother’s love leapt out from every page. It was also a quick read, which is always a plus in my book!

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jackie Guinn and Goodreads for this giveaway book.
This is a courageous memoir by a consummate mother and Christian.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, Christian read, but not too religious. The plot is good, keeps the reader interested. The writing is a bit elementary, easy to read.

[Lisa Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was heartbreaking at times but with God’s help any obstacles can be faced!

[Pollyanna Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring book. What a beautiful testament of love for her child!

[Bookish Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this memoir. I couldn't put it down. I found myself needing to know more. Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony with us.

[Dana Eisinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won this in Goodreads Giveaway. Very simple sweet read. Yes, it’s about becoming a Christian but it’s not real “deep.”

[Kayla Mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read of a woman’s testimony of life’s hard times and her ability to seek God.

[Rebecca Conley]

I loved this book.I have worked with this vulnerable population of children in the past. I have actually passed this book to others to read because I feel the message is so powerful.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Thanks!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good memoir of how she found Jesus. This isn’t all about Jesus book but more her life and the obstacles that she encountered.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible story. The life Jackie lived as a young mom shows her resilience and fight for all things warranted. Tissues a necessity.

[Traceylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why

It was an excellent book and well written by the author. It was a memior but it was also a Christian story.

[Mabelscabinhotmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, heartfelt

For the Love of God… was an excellent, sad and will written book. Young girl with a huge responsibility for being so young.