Falling Forward: Poems of Faith, Doubt, and Grace

by Donald Williams

Faith is not the absence of doubt, nor is grace reserved for those who get everything right. In Falling Forward, Donald Williams explores the often unpredictable journey of faith through thoughtful, occasionally provocative, and deeply personal poetry. Drawing on biblical narratives and everyday experiences, he invites readers to reconsider familiar stories, wrestle with uncomfortable questions, and discover a God whose love persists through human weakness and failure.

More than a poetry collection, Falling Forward is designed as an interactive devotional journal. Each poem is accompanied by Scripture, reflection questions, prayer, suggested biblical readings, and dedicated pages for personal thoughts and responses. Williams offers no easy answers, but rather an invitation to an ongoing conversation with God, reminding us that spiritual growth is not always about standing firm; sometimes it is about learning to fall forward into the arms of grace.

191 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2026

About the author

Donald Williams, Ed.D., was born and raised in York County, South Carolina, in a large family of cotton mill workers. His parents, like generations before them, worked as lintheads. One of more than eighty first cousins and over forty aunts and uncles, he grew up in a close-knit Southern family where love was abundant even when opportunity was limited.

Determined to change the direction of his family’s future, Williams became the first in his family to graduate from a major university. He earned three degrees from Clemson University, including a Doctor of Education. Throughout his career, he has taught more than 5,000 students at the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels.

Williams served for fourteen years with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). During that time, he worked for twelve years as an Education Research Analyst in South Korea, Japan, and the United States. His work centered on school improvement, leadership development, and the effective use of data to strengthen educational systems.

He believes deeply in the spiritual dimension of life as essential to mental well-being. He views education as a lifelong pursuit, adventure as a source of vitality, and family as the foundation of peace and strength. Today, both of his sons hold doctoral degrees, reflecting the power of faith, education, and intentional choices to change the course of a family’s future.

As co-author of Born of Nothing, Williams brings both lived experience and scholarly insight to a story of poverty, resilience, and generational transformation.