Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude

by Tim Timmons, Hilary Timmons

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books gently encourage you. Others quietly grab your heart, sit you down, and ask the kind of questions you’ve been avoiding—and honestly, those are the ones that stay with you.

Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude by Tim Timmons and Hilary Timmons. Published by Thomas Nelson.

This book surprised me in the best possible way. At first glance, you might assume it’s simply a story about illness and perseverance, but it quickly becomes something deeper—more reflective, more personal, and far more hopeful than I expected. Tim’s diagnosis with incurable cancer at twenty-five becomes the starting point, but the heart of the book isn’t the disease. It’s the perspective shift that comes when life suddenly feels fragile and every ordinary moment starts to matter.

Reading this felt less like working through a memoir and more like sitting across the table from someone who’s lived through the storm and still somehow found joy in the aftermath. Tim and Hilary write with honesty, humor, and a refreshing lack of polished “churchy” perfection. They talk about faith in a way that feels lived-in rather than performative, exploring what it means to wake up each day and actually notice the gift of being alive.

One line that stuck with me was:
“Maybe the miracle isn’t being spared from suffering, but waking up to the presence of God within it.”

That idea lingers long after you close the book. It’s thoughtful without being preachy, emotional without becoming heavy, and surprisingly uplifting even while exploring grief and uncertainty. If you love memoirs that wrestle with big life questions, stories of faith that feel authentic, or books that remind you to slow down and breathe a little deeper, this one will resonate.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you ever read a book that made you stop mid-page and rethink how you’re living your everyday life?

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[Ashley Blankinship · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good for my soul. Tim & Hilary truly understand the pain & confusion that is cancer. I so appreciated their vulnerability. I felt so seen & understood as they are still dealing with cancer, same as my husband & I. Tim & Hilary were so authentic in their writing too. You felt like you were having a friendly conversation with them. My only complaint is that I wish the chapters were in the order of their lives. It was confusing to jump around at times. I understand that there was an over arching theme for each set of chapters that don’t necessarily fit together chronologically. Overall, loved the book!

[Jeffrey Shanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of Tim's book is perfect - not just as a marketable title, but as the reality in which he lives his life "on borrowed time." If you've ever listened to his 10,000 minutes podcast, you may know much of the story contained in these pages, but to read through the collection assembled here is far more than hearing their journey, but to be invited in to experience what it means to begin each day being present to Jesus and the life into which He's inviting us. While the chapters are not sequential or chronological, they are impactful and the chapters written by Hillary (Tim's wife) are a beautiful blessing to boot. All I can say is ... take the journey.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly an inspiring and faith-filled story. At the age of twenty-five, Tim Timmons was diagnosed with a rare kind of incurable cancer and given five years to live. Now, over two decades later, Tim and his wife, Hilary, are sharing the story of their journey with cancer and the faith that sustained them as they dealt with it.

Their story is also shared in the movie, I Can Only Imagine 2. Tim is a pastor and Christian musician who toured with the Christian band MercyMe.

[Data Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gratitude

I couldn't put this book down!! What an inspiration Tim and Hilary are! I was sad when I finished the book because I didn't want it to be over. I highly recommend this book. I definitely will probably read it again.