Thank you to Barbour Publishing, Inc, via Netgalley for the opportunity to read/review the ARC of The Healing Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter.
I am in love with Amish reads. That said, I particularly love all Amish reads by Wanda Brunstetter. She is an amazing author, always staying true to her followers. I am not Amish, and sometimes am not even sure what I believe. Wanda's books are soothing. They do not force religion on anyone, they are just about good people living a pure and simple lifestyle. This book, like her others, support good, honest, hardworking, moral people. Who could not gain from that?
The Healing Jar is third in the trilogy of the Prayer Jar books. It is also the first of the three I have read. I enjoyed the book from the very beginning and it could easily be read as a stand-alone. Instead, for me, it has only made me that much more anxious to go back and read the others, immediately.
This story centers on an Amish family, some close knit, some extended, some not even blood related, and all the trials they face in everyday life. These characters are real. They are just like us and have emotions, as do we. They hope, they struggle, they lose, they make errors in judgement, they ask for forgiveness, as well as give it. They triumph, they love, they treasure those around them, and put all of their faith in God. I am always touched by the depth of emotion that Wanda is able to give to her characters. You want to meet them, support them, talk with them, console them, and especially share their joy.
The overall theme in this story is healing, and the process in which one must go through dealing with hurt, grief, death, mistrust, and fear, to eventually reconcile and love again. We see relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, cousins, siblings, and friends. The one common link in all of these interactions is that all the characters are able to wholeheartedly and unconditionally give trust to God, knowing that he will ultimately always guide and protect. And, the part I like best, is that this includes all characters, not just the Amish, but people of all walks of life. What an amazing and exhilarating feeling to be bestowed upon. It is my hope that all readers take the opportunity to read this and other Amish books. I think there is something valuable that every reader can take away, Amish or not.
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