The Greater Weight of Glory: A Memoir

by Robin Farnsworth

“That’s my son!” These three words were the tidal wave that destroyed the entire landscape of Robin Farnsworth's life, an ER nurse on duty when she identified the dead man on the stretcher.

Growing up in the shadow of death after the loss of her brother, Robin understood the devastation that the death of a child causes. “Where is God?” the eight-year-old girl asks the night sky. As her family crumbles, she runs away, only to come crashing to her knees years later. Broken, alcoholic, and a single mom, she finally gets her answer through a divine appointment with Jesus Christ.

Years later, her oldest son, Spencer, would also surrender to Christ, exchanging a life of rage and violence for a transforming peace and freedom. Spencer lived his faith with an unusual passion and urgency that would produce an eternal harvest of changed lives beyond his death. At age twenty-one, he was the unintended target of murder.

Where is God? The answer is surprising as the author brings you alongside of her in the midst of monumental pain and darkness, discovering not just where God is, but who he is. This is a story of rescue and redemption, of the power of forgiveness and faith within a mother and her son; two broken and imperfect lives that are intercepted by a loving and almighty God.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2018

About the author

Robin Farnsworth is an award-winning author and speaker She and her husband Calvin live on Cape Cod, where they run Higher Ground, a Christian ministry for incarcerated men and women.
On duty as an ER nurse in 2002, Farnsworth identified her son, Spencer, minutes after he was pronounced dead. He was the unintended target of a murder. So begins her memoir, "The Greater Weight of Glory," an extraordinary journey that explores the power of faith and forgiveness with rare candor and courage.
In 2016, WCVBTV Boston's Chronicle interviewed Robin and one of the men in prison for her son's murder, highlighting their "unlikely friendship." It is a story you won't forget.

Reviews

[Heather Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words. I cannot express the emotions, the questions, the thoughts, the pain, that stirred within me while reading this book. A memoir that was so beautifully written at times it took my breath away. Lessons in courage, brokenness, the ability to heal, forgive & let go. It’s a must-read, and it tears at your heart on every page. But you can tell that every page was written in love.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir of life after your child is murdered. At times difficult to read, but through it all faith and trust in God prevails. At times uplifting even after all the struggles the author finds joy.

[heidi cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome powerful work of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

I thank my pastors wife for telling me about your family and story of Spencer. The Lord spoke through the book many times to me of His Great love and mercy and grace on our lives. I just finished reading and at this time I am visiting my parents who are not saved and have been struggling all day with bombardment of the enemy and my mom's attacks against my sharing the Lord Jesus with others and I don't have the right to impose my belief to others who have different thinking and different gods. Thanks so much for writing Spencer's story of how his life affected so many others by way he lived and loved the Lord Jesus Christ.. I pray that Jesus Christ is Glorified and honored by way I live in Him. He is my rock and forgiveness of my sins and my redeemer lives not my way or words but the word of the Lord Jesus Christ has the final say on our lives. I pray and love my parents and family members that they will one day find the truth of the Lord Jesus. I can face tomorrow because He lives and one day pray to hear the Lord say well done good and faithful servant. Praying for all who read this book find the Lord Jesus Christ who has loved you with everlasting love that He paid it all on the cross of Calvary shedding His blood for forgiveness of all sins and best is He will never bring them back to you as the world's ways His love is Greater than anything else and the truth does set you free.I'm not in prison any longer. PRAISE The LORD! God Bless you Robin and family.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare that you find a Gospel centered book that reads like literature. It's even more rare when that book is a memoir. This novel does all three.

It is a must read for anyone who has ever questioned God's existence, dealt with pain and letdown in their life, or just need to be reminded of God's love in the face of adversity.

[LYNN THOMAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book originally was a recommended book from Goodreads under "Books you might like". When I found out the author was going to speak at a local church, I bought the Kindle Edition of the book. It is a compelling read. The author's voice comes across as if she is speaking to you directly. It is honest, raw emotion, and unembellished. Robin Farnsworth tells her story of how God worked to transform her life. She tells of her struggles with her son's death and how she discovered who God is. What you learn about who Robin Farnsworth is in the book is who she is in real life. Just be sure to have the tissues near by. I was in tears while reading parts of it. If you are an avid reader you could easily read it in a day. I highly recommend this book,

[Graham Gulian]

This is a beautifully written book that takes the reader through the real life struggles of someone who has experienced the most unthinkable tragedy, the loss of a child. But throughout Robin's life journey she describes how God was always there, always trying to enter her life, even when she wasn't ready. It's an accessable book about God, even for those who don't know God, or who have their doubts (which we all do!) It reminds me to look for God every day, through happiness, sadness and tragedy.

[Kaylee Perez Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful book. Began solely with intrigue and curiosity. It sounded like a movie - not someones real life. Robin is an incredible writer. She paints such a vivid picture of every place she visits and does the same with every emotion she feels. Anyone who's lost someone or simply lost a dream along the way will read their own emotions and experiences in Robin's words. (She's said what I couldn't say.) You will walk away wishing you were more like Robin, more like Spencer, and a whole lot more like Jesus.

[Kevin Borth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book that really changed my way of thinking. It is very well written and it comes from the heart. One of my favorite days ever was meeting Robin at a book signing and I was able to listen to her story in person and ask questions. Plus she signed my book. Everyone should read this book. It is a very brave and strong family filled with faith.

[Mary Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read in some parts, and the 'hard' made those parts that much more meaningful. I long for a strong faith and my very own kitchen moment. I am reminded that I am creating ripples with my life even when I don't recognize it, or feel so strong in my own faith. I pray my ripples lead people in the right direction.....to the one who matters above all else.

[Sheila Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the author did a great job describing what she went through as an ER nurse who realized the boy who had died in front of her was her son. I was flabbergasted to remember that I had gone to his wake! Little did I realize when I began this book that it took place on Cape Cod and I knew some of the folks mentioned in it.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that THE GREATER WEIGHT OF GLORY: A Memoir by robin Farnsworth is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Emily]

"Being vulnerable sharing our need for a Savior points people to Jesus & not ourselves & He's who they need not us." Jamie Ivey, author of 'If You Only Knew.' This book exemplifies this quote. The author is raw, honest, and vulnerable in telling her story. She says right in the beginning that this is because, "...it is not my story- it is His." Robin opened my eyes to what forgiveness truly means and reminded me to fix my eyes "...not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18.

[Carolyn Russett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the summary of the book first.....

This is not the easiest book to read. Personally I think memoirs can sometimes be hard to read -- everyone has their own stories and issues. But no matter what you believe in or not, this is a well written true story of how not just one person deals with tragedy, but how one life can affect so many others - knowingly or not. And for me, however hard faith and forgiveness can be, it can be done....and is being done.