I'm So Glad You Told Me What I Didn't Wanna Hear

by Barbara Johnson

Here's another book of funcouragement from Barbara Johnson as she continues to help her loyal fans find joy in the midst of pain. Barbara shares her own experiences and those of others who have tripped over life's hurdles and landed in the arms of God. She shows that laughing in the face of adversity is not proof of insanity but a form of healing.

Genres: Christian, Self Help, Nonfiction, Humor, Womens

80 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian note: There are other authors with the same name

Barbara Johnson (1927-2007) died July 2nd, 2007 of cancer (Central Nervous System Lymphoma) after a valiant 6 year fight against the disease. During her illness, she added four more books to her long list of published works, including one that takes humorous pokes at her life with cancer. Affectionately called the “Geranium Lady,” a title taken from her bestselling book, Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy, her homespun humor and hope in God in the midst of tragedy, ministered to millions.

A strong Christian woman who relied on her faith in God and her sense of humor to persevere through many devastating experiences, her life was plagued by a string of tragedies. Her husband was in a near fatal accident and slowly recovered from debilitating injuries. She lost one son in Vietnam and another son to a drunk driver. Her third son was estranged from the family while pursuing a homosexual lifestyle. But, she emerged from these experiences having learned that though pain is inevitable, people can choose to pick flowers instead of weeds.

Her compassion extended far beyond the pages of her encouraging books. Wanting to use her own pain to help others, she and her husband Bill founded Spatula Ministries, a unique organization that uses a “spatula of love” to help parents “peel themselves off the ceiling” and begin on the road to recovery. She wrote her first book after reaching the age of 50 and was voted “Celebrity Mom of the Year” for 1996. Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, she toured across the country as a popular conference speaker and part of the "Women of Faith" tour. Her many books have comforted millions of women, bringing them hope and humor in times of distress. She will be missed by many, but her life will live on in her numerous books.

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too negative toward those who are different: homosexuals. Apparently at the time it was written (copyright 1996) it was okay for parents to say to their homosexual sons and daughters "I'd rather you were dead." Not very Christian in my opinion. Very negative, intolerant, unloving, and judgmental. She tries through humor to comfort and coax those parents through to some sort of "love the sinner but hate the sin" ending. No mention of how that negative attitude affected the sons and daughters of these judgmental parents. I know it's aimed at the parents, specifically the mothers.
The only thing that made this readable for me was the quips and quotes to chivvy people through this "tragedy" in their lives. Way too much God and Jesus. This is why I don't read Christian literature.
I own a copy of the book, having thought it was more humorous and less religious, but I plan to get rid of it so somebody else can find it more acceptable than I do.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting.

[Partridge Public]

Johnson, Barbara PB

[Karen L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I learned is you've got to laugh at your troubles and your not alone- never alone!

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

good humor and inspiration

[Rhonda Rae Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny...inspirational and uplifting...

Every mother can relate to this and maybe even see a different way of looking at things.

I always enjoy this author...(-:

[Benita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good resource for hurting parents.

[Gerri Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is short and sweet, like chicken soup in that it's easily digestible--and if you need to read it you probably aren't feeling strong enough for anything crunchier.

[Wyvonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT READ

[Wyvonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCLLENT READ

[Wyvonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT

[Linn Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Funny read about about raising kids and when they make poor choices.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like having emotional antibiotics that could reach into the broken places in my heart. Joy is the best medicine I've ever tasted. :)

[Patty Sherman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed...

I love her books but parts of this book were missing. This is the first time this has happened to me. Very disappointed!!!!

[Lorna Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Johnson is a brilliant writer & motivational 'speaker' using humour & understanding to help people through very difficult periods in their lives. Highly recommended

[Marisa Atteberry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too much sarcasm masquerading as humor.

[Ianne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me understand my parents' point of view thoroughly.