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All But Normal: Life on Victory Road
Growing up, Shawn Thornton's life was anything but normal--but then, so was his mother.
After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity-laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half-cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened. And God help the family cat!
On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever.
A heartwarming coming-of-age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the "broken" people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity-laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half-cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened. And God help the family cat!
On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever.
A heartwarming coming-of-age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the "broken" people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2016
19 people are currently reading
1249 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Thornton
3 books55 followersShawn Thornton serves as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. He is also the Bible teaching voice heard daily across America on the half-hour radio program, “All Things New.” Shawn has the honor of serving on the Board of Directors of Awana Clubs International and on the Board of Directors of the Joni & Friends Foundation. He blogs regularly at PastorShawn.com. Shawn and his wife, Lesli, have three young adult children—Jon, Katie, and Megan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 6, 2017
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a friend or family member who I think will enjoy it too.
June 30, 2025
All But Normal is a memoir, written by a pastor who was raised in a home with a mother who suffered from an accident who left her with brain trauma. The book covers five decades and explains the difficulties of living with his mother’s explosive behaviors. He also describes what a loving Christian woman she was to their family and others when she was not having these behaviors.
The book tells the story, but also shares a lesson about life and the not so perfect people we know that teach us important lessons. A good, fast read!
Spoiler alert: No one is normal ‼️
The book tells the story, but also shares a lesson about life and the not so perfect people we know that teach us important lessons. A good, fast read!
Spoiler alert: No one is normal ‼️
June 28, 2016
About this Book:
Growing up, Shawn Thornton's life was anything but normal--but then, so was his mother.After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity-laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half-cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened.
And God help the family cat!On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever.A heartwarming coming-of-age story, "All But Normal" is a powerful reminder that sometimes the "broken" people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
My Review:
Beverly Gilvin was young and in love. All she wanted to do was drive around with John Thornton in his expensive sports car. So when her dad allows it she is beyond ecstatic. But soon a fun little joy ride turns in to a car crash that leaves Beverly in a coma.
Shawn Thornton's mother, Beverly has always had violent mood swings. One minute she can be happy and all giggly, the next Shawn, Troy (his brother), and their dad are being held at knife point. Shawn never thought she was normal, he believed that all mothers acted this way.
Out all of the things Shawn and his brother experienced, the one thing he will always remember is how devoted Beverly was to God. One minute she may be cussing them out, the next she is the perfect Sunday school teacher. She may be different but she will always be mom to Shawn.
All But Normal is an amazing memoir. This book was an awesome read. I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me enamored from paged one. I love, love, LOVED this book!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
Growing up, Shawn Thornton's life was anything but normal--but then, so was his mother.After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity-laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half-cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened.
And God help the family cat!On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever.A heartwarming coming-of-age story, "All But Normal" is a powerful reminder that sometimes the "broken" people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
My Review:
Beverly Gilvin was young and in love. All she wanted to do was drive around with John Thornton in his expensive sports car. So when her dad allows it she is beyond ecstatic. But soon a fun little joy ride turns in to a car crash that leaves Beverly in a coma.
Shawn Thornton's mother, Beverly has always had violent mood swings. One minute she can be happy and all giggly, the next Shawn, Troy (his brother), and their dad are being held at knife point. Shawn never thought she was normal, he believed that all mothers acted this way.
Out all of the things Shawn and his brother experienced, the one thing he will always remember is how devoted Beverly was to God. One minute she may be cussing them out, the next she is the perfect Sunday school teacher. She may be different but she will always be mom to Shawn.
All But Normal is an amazing memoir. This book was an awesome read. I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me enamored from paged one. I love, love, LOVED this book!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
February 14, 2018
I actually didn't start this book until about two days ago. It drew me in and I found I couldn't put it down, even though I didn't want to read more. I didn't want to read more because the story was too vivid, too pure and I found it made me edgy. Having been around mental illness I could relate to some of what the author told and that is why it made me uncomfortable. If you know someone who struggles with mental illness or , maybe, you yourself fight the battle this book will be a difficult read at time but well worth it.
The underlying thread is that God is greater than any struggle and that even when we don't think He knows what He's doing, He does. I typically find memoir's boring but not this one. This one will make you think, it will make you cry and it will make you thankful for the power of our Savior.
The underlying thread is that God is greater than any struggle and that even when we don't think He knows what He's doing, He does. I typically find memoir's boring but not this one. This one will make you think, it will make you cry and it will make you thankful for the power of our Savior.
November 26, 2023
It felt like adult Shawn’s purpose in writing this was to inspire other Christians. Meaning, I don’t think it was a particularly honest introspection. For example there was one passage where his father prohibited him from seeing a friend because the friend used foul language- the author explained that his teenage self was impressed by his father’s decision… I can’t buy stuff like that.
So I just think I was the wrong audience. It started off strong, painting a picture of life with his mother but then it derailed for me. The solution to all emotional turmoil, physical ailments, and difficult situations was to pray.
Also it really f—— bothered me that all the d— curse words were edited like this. Even a— was edited. What the f—.
So I just think I was the wrong audience. It started off strong, painting a picture of life with his mother but then it derailed for me. The solution to all emotional turmoil, physical ailments, and difficult situations was to pray.
Also it really f—— bothered me that all the d— curse words were edited like this. Even a— was edited. What the f—.
December 17, 2024
I appreciated the tenderness with which Shawn handled his mother and the story of his childhood. At no point did I feel disgust towards his mother or their chaotic household and her raging anger, only sympathy. Others, I think, could've written the story from a completely different angle (and been justified in doing so!) but this is where the great grace of God shows up, not only in Shawn's story, but in his telling of it.
February 23, 2016
Thornton, a pastor, gives us a fascinating (and sometimes sobering) look into his childhood as the son of a mother who suffers from a traumatic brain injury. His recounting of how God's grace redeemed his experience, and upheld his family, is inspiring.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2025
When I was recently at an AWANA Ministry Conference, I watched a video of Shawn speaking. The main message he shared was that it is very important for AWANA leaders just to show up and be present, be there, faithfully. Come every week. Show up. It will make a difference in a child’s life. That advice had already been shared with me by my pastor a couple of months before as I had reached out to him about some pressure I was feeling about going to work. I had for some reason felt a big pressure, almost a burden, about going to work and letting my light shine for Christ, and I knew it is NOT a burden. It is an HONOR. So he said for me to just go. Go to work. Show up day after day, and God will lead me and use me. Be myself and be faithful in following Christ, and He will use me and show me the opportunities. That advice was wise and I will never forget it. I am very new to this kind of workforce after working from home for 20 years. And that is why I wanted to read the memoir Shawn mentions in the video. I read it not knowing much, but the individuals I serve each have various physical, mental, and psychological problems. Some of them even have a TBI. Thank you, Shawn, for sharing. I’m really thankful for the lessons and messages shared in this story. And now, because I asked if our library could find me a copy, our library owns a copy…so other people can read this too. I’ll recommend that they do!
June 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, author Shawn Thorton shares his life and all of its craziness living with a mom who had a traumatic brain injury. The pain he suffered as a child emphasized that all of us live with some type of brokenness. Second, Shawn grew up close to my home. Many of the landmarks and places he mentions in his book are all places I am familiar with. This made the book even more interesting as I recognized these places. Third, Shawn emphasizes the part God played in his life; the strength he drew from God and how his mother's spiritual life shaped the man he became. I am glad Shawn decided to share his story as I think it is an inspiring story that will give people hope who live in brokenness each and every day.
August 12, 2025
I have a tough time giving memoirs, autobiographies, and any story of someone's life less than 4 stars. This memoir got a bit repetitive and was much more religious than I thought it was going to be. I expected some Earth-shattering surprise that never came. I would never belittle anyone's trials and tribulations, but as someone who has worked with multiple children who have lived through traumatic events, I was just happy that Shawn had one parent who was able to provide the basic necessities and that both parents did love him in their own way. I was surprised that it took the family and doctors that long to realize they were dealing with a traumatic brain injury, I would have liked to learn more about that.
October 31, 2019
This is one of my favorite books. First a little background on me. I'm generally not into fiction because I'm not very good at getting immersed in a world, at least for books. Anyway, this makes me not into biographies either sense they're the story of a person's life. Anyway, the reason I love this book is how raw and immersive it is. Generally, I don't get sucked into books but this one I did. I felt like I was there, I feel like I almost got attacked by his mother, I felt the grief of his father for getting into that accident. The book also contains some Christian faith plotlines but they aren't in a preachy way, they're there to show his struggle and how it shaped his character.
October 19, 2017
Honest description of the oldest of two sons living in northern Indiana with a mother with a traumatic brain injury and a father determined to care for her and his family the best he could. Not only is life within the home and at the extended homes of in-laws described, but the interaction with the family's church and schools and some of the ministries in which the family participated.
Smiles and heartbreaks, hope and despair, temptation and deliverance all show up in this memoir which could possibly describe more of our homes than we would like to believe.
Smiles and heartbreaks, hope and despair, temptation and deliverance all show up in this memoir which could possibly describe more of our homes than we would like to believe.
January 13, 2019
This book was easy to read. I finished it in six days. I couldn’t put it down. Many times I was just shocked at what Pastor Shawn has to deal with in his young life. My father also had a TBI and died young. The author shows how everything works out for the good even though it may not seem like it at the time. I believe that due to Pastor Shawn growing up with a mother with a disability and being around people with disabilities; PS became very comfortable with differences. It’s a good, though difficult read. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2019
Finally, a book on the reality of living a life for Jesus. Shawn, his Dad, mom and brother Troy were far from perfect and their situation was far from conducive for anyone wanting to be obedient to spiritual principles. The real ness in the way Shawn tells his story is very powerful. “All the Normal” will bring tears and laughter to your heart. But most of all, his story brought to my heart a true account of God’s faithfulness as we struggle with our unfaithfulness. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who wants a reality check from the pages of God’s word.
May 30, 2019
If your family was not a "Norman Rockwell " family, but you yearned for it to be one read this book. Shawn, the older son, writes a warm heartfelt account of his family's life with all the warts for us to see. Parts of his family's biography are almost funny, some are alarming, and some make it difficult to imagine a child making it through and becoming whole.
March 8, 2020
Beautifully written! An absolutely heart-wrenching, but inspiring story of love and devotion. I'm SO grateful I read this book at this time in my life and even more grateful to Shawn Thornton for sharing his family's story. God is good!
April 28, 2020
For the first time I felt I wasnt alone in my daily struggles. I have never felt so connected with someone than I have when reading this book. If you are dealing with anger, depression or anxiety or living with someone who is, then read this book!
September 26, 2017
I've read many, many memoirs. This is my new favorite.
January 25, 2018
Loved it!
February 13, 2018
I won this book on Goodreads.
One of the most memorable memoirs I have read.
One of the most memorable memoirs I have read.
April 3, 2018
Such a good memoir. Loved it.
March 14, 2019
Good book
September 7, 2019
Wonderful story of growing up with a parent that is disabled. Amazing what God can bring us though and make us stronger.
September 9, 2020
What a great story! Filled with emotion, grace, and love, this book has it all. What a truly great read.
July 14, 2025
I found this book at my local library's used book sale. It took me a week to read it because of the traumatic home life of the Thornton family. It is a worthwhile read but very intense.
January 3, 2017
All But Normal
Trigger warning: Domestic Abuse
I want to admit going into this memoir I didn't think I would like it. In the end, I loved it
This is an emotionally charged, roller coaster, a thought provoking memoir. One that will stick with me for years. I enjoyed the way the story was told even if it was on a tough topic. This book is about domestic violence. It is one man's personal account of what his family went through. I couldn't believe the experiences the entire Thornton family lived during their lives.
The writing style brings humor and fun to a topic that is extremely dangerous. At points in the book, I would be laughing, and enough the stories told, then the next I would be afraid, angry, and at times mortified by the abuse I was reading. My heart ached for the family.
What is interesting is that this is also the story of what it is like growing up with a mother who has Traumatic Brain Injury. The author Shawn Thornton's mother was a bag of mixed emotions at times. One minute she was the sweet, loving, perfect mother we all want, then with the switch of a flip she would be yelling cuss words, screaming, and at times wielding weapons. Even though there is a reason for this, she was injured it didn't help the trauma a childhood like this created.
This was all really hard for Shawn to deal with. When he was a young boy, he believed that this was all normal. This is how mothers act. As he got older, developed friends, went to other people's houses he soon realized that was not normal. Even with all this trauma Shawn still credits his parents for making him the man that he is today.
Shawn's mother had a love of Christ, she was a believer and often showed great compassion for people. Growing up in a Christ-centered house would put him on the track to becoming a Pastor, giving his life to God, and ultimately trying his best to show that same compassion to people.
Ultimately this book's message is one of hope. Hope that no matter what you have experienced in life, if you hold on to what you believe in, you can get through it. Learning to be mentally healthy and overcome the greatest of challenges. This book encourages taking small by significant positive steps in your life. Just because you have been dealt a bad hand, have a mountain to climb doesn't mean that you can't be a shining light for people.
Disclaimer I did receive this from Tyndale House Publishers for free in exchange for this post as a part of their Tyndale Blog Network.
March 21, 2017
I found this book easy to read and a fascinating story about overcoming a "not so normal" childhood.
November 18, 2016
What's Inside:
Growing up, Shawn Thornton's life was anything but normal, but then, so was his mother. After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage, because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened, and God help the family cat!On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever. A heartwarming coming of age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the broken people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
Who Wrote It:
Shawn Thornton serves as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. He is also the Bible teaching voice heard daily across America on the half-hour radio program, “All Things New.” Shawn has the honor of serving on the Boards of Directors of Awana Clubs International, Awana Lifeline Ministries, the Joni & Friends Foundation, and on the Board of Trustees of his local hospital, Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. He blogs regularly at PastorShawn.com. Shawn and his wife, Lesli, have three young adult children—Jon, Katie, and Megan.
Joel Kilpatrick is an award-winning journalist and author whose work has been featured in Time magazine, the Washington Post, USA Today, CBS Radio, the Dallas Morning News and dozens of newspapers and magazines. He has authored and ghostwritten more than 60 books, including a New York Times bestseller. He has reported from disaster zones and civil wars in seventeen countries, and received numerous prizes for writing and reporting, including the highest award for Christian humor. Kilpatrick earned an MS degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in 1995. He lives in southern California with his wife and five children, most of whom he loves.
My Thoughts:
This was a powerful read I was so moved by Shawn's story my heart goes out to the little boy who had to grow up with so much fear an confusion. I can really relate to how Shawn felt in this book being that my own mother suffers from schizophrenia. I highly recommend this book because it's shows just how good God can be in your time of need. I love when I can read a book an it touches me deep down in my soul.
Star Rating:
I give All But Normal 5 Stars this book was amazing
Note: I received All But Normal by Shawn Thornton an Joel Kilpatrick compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.
Growing up, Shawn Thornton's life was anything but normal, but then, so was his mother. After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton's once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage, because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened, and God help the family cat!On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev's mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever. A heartwarming coming of age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the broken people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.
Who Wrote It:
Shawn Thornton serves as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California. He is also the Bible teaching voice heard daily across America on the half-hour radio program, “All Things New.” Shawn has the honor of serving on the Boards of Directors of Awana Clubs International, Awana Lifeline Ministries, the Joni & Friends Foundation, and on the Board of Trustees of his local hospital, Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. He blogs regularly at PastorShawn.com. Shawn and his wife, Lesli, have three young adult children—Jon, Katie, and Megan.
Joel Kilpatrick is an award-winning journalist and author whose work has been featured in Time magazine, the Washington Post, USA Today, CBS Radio, the Dallas Morning News and dozens of newspapers and magazines. He has authored and ghostwritten more than 60 books, including a New York Times bestseller. He has reported from disaster zones and civil wars in seventeen countries, and received numerous prizes for writing and reporting, including the highest award for Christian humor. Kilpatrick earned an MS degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in 1995. He lives in southern California with his wife and five children, most of whom he loves.
My Thoughts:
This was a powerful read I was so moved by Shawn's story my heart goes out to the little boy who had to grow up with so much fear an confusion. I can really relate to how Shawn felt in this book being that my own mother suffers from schizophrenia. I highly recommend this book because it's shows just how good God can be in your time of need. I love when I can read a book an it touches me deep down in my soul.
Star Rating:
I give All But Normal 5 Stars this book was amazing
Note: I received All But Normal by Shawn Thornton an Joel Kilpatrick compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.
August 11, 2016
It's actually been a few weeks since I read this book but I was having a difficult time trying to decide what to write about the book other than "WOW" because that's the word that comes to mind every single time I think about this story in my mind. The title of this book is All But Normal and it is definitely what the author dealt with constantly - his life was "all but normal" even though most people would have thought that he had a pretty normal life, his life at home was a disaster in about every sense of the word. I've heard it said that truth can be stranger than fiction and that is the case in this situation.
I felt a little like a fly on the wall seeing inside this boy's life and how he was raised. His mother, Beverly Thornton, might have been a normal girl prior to her car accident as a teenager but after that accident, she had an issue that just never resolved and only seemed to get worse. His father, John Thornton, feeling responsible for his mother's illness, stepped up and married Beverly and continued to build a life with her partly out of love, and partly out of guilt.
The shining light in this story is that Beverly Thornton knew Jesus and was able to become close to those people that would be considered “broken”. She would greet these people at church and would always pray with them and ask about them and their family. She would read the Bible over and over, had several earmarked throughout the house along with other Christian literature.
As a young boy, Shawn learns to check his meat for rawness, sniff his milk for chunky rancidity, and "handle" his mother when she was having a fit and tried to send a hot skillet launching at his father. Shawn and his brother Troy have it tough, but despite this "all but normal" childhood and upbringing, both of them learn to walk with God and in fact, have both gone into ministry as adults.
I flew through this book in two sessions. I would have read it straight through if it wasn't for the pesky fact that I have a day job. It keeps readers connected from cover and cover, and I love the fact that the book has a subtitle, "Life on Victory Road". These people showed us a walk with Jesus that prevailed over what others might not have been able to struggle through. This story is hard too, don't get me wrong. It’s not one of those "feel-good" stories, but it will make you feel good if you absorb the truth that Jesus wins.
This book shows the devotion and love Shawn's father showed towards his wife, the grace God showed to all of them throughout their difficult family life, and the grace God gave to Shawn and his brother Troy to forgive and forget and move on in life. While this book is a really good read for everyone, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with a loved one with mental issues. This author is currently a pastor and he does a great job of showing how God used his "not normal" childhood to shape him into the man he is today.
In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission regulations, please be aware that Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this post as part of their Tyndale Blog Network.
I felt a little like a fly on the wall seeing inside this boy's life and how he was raised. His mother, Beverly Thornton, might have been a normal girl prior to her car accident as a teenager but after that accident, she had an issue that just never resolved and only seemed to get worse. His father, John Thornton, feeling responsible for his mother's illness, stepped up and married Beverly and continued to build a life with her partly out of love, and partly out of guilt.
The shining light in this story is that Beverly Thornton knew Jesus and was able to become close to those people that would be considered “broken”. She would greet these people at church and would always pray with them and ask about them and their family. She would read the Bible over and over, had several earmarked throughout the house along with other Christian literature.
As a young boy, Shawn learns to check his meat for rawness, sniff his milk for chunky rancidity, and "handle" his mother when she was having a fit and tried to send a hot skillet launching at his father. Shawn and his brother Troy have it tough, but despite this "all but normal" childhood and upbringing, both of them learn to walk with God and in fact, have both gone into ministry as adults.
I flew through this book in two sessions. I would have read it straight through if it wasn't for the pesky fact that I have a day job. It keeps readers connected from cover and cover, and I love the fact that the book has a subtitle, "Life on Victory Road". These people showed us a walk with Jesus that prevailed over what others might not have been able to struggle through. This story is hard too, don't get me wrong. It’s not one of those "feel-good" stories, but it will make you feel good if you absorb the truth that Jesus wins.
This book shows the devotion and love Shawn's father showed towards his wife, the grace God showed to all of them throughout their difficult family life, and the grace God gave to Shawn and his brother Troy to forgive and forget and move on in life. While this book is a really good read for everyone, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has dealt with or is dealing with a loved one with mental issues. This author is currently a pastor and he does a great job of showing how God used his "not normal" childhood to shape him into the man he is today.
In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission regulations, please be aware that Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this post as part of their Tyndale Blog Network.
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