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Any Minute

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A fictional tale of a woman whose life was changed in an instant for the worse. Now she's confronted with facing her greatest fears and conquering her greatest challenges to get her life back.

286 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

81 people are currently reading
1440 people want to read

About the author

Joyce Meyer

1,558 books3,871 followers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries.

Joyce’s passion to help hurting people is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Hand of Hope provides worldwide humanitarian outreaches such as feeding programs, medical care, orphanages, disaster response, human trafficking intervention and rehabilitation, and much more – always sharing the love and Gospel of Christ.

Her latest book, LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE, releases Spring 2018.

Hachette Book Group has sold over 30 million copies of Joyce Meyer's books.

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5 stars
490 (28%)
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534 (31%)
3 stars
447 (26%)
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174 (10%)
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47 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
299 reviews
June 12, 2009
What a great uplifting book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and its message. One I would read a gain to b e uplifted. Easy read with a great message. I will look for more books from this author :O)

Sarah is married with 2 young children. She is a workaholic who will do almost anything to please her boss. She craves fulfillment in her life and get s it from her work. After a near tragedy, Sarah has to look within and reflects on her life and that of her mother and grandmother. She realizes why her family is the way they are. With inspiration and guidance from a higher source (Heavenly Father) she is able to make some changes in her life.

For those of you who are afraid this is a hard core religious book it is not. It does get a great message across about praying adn what that can do for youi if you are sincere.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I borrowed it and will probably look to buy it so my daughter can read it SOMEDAY!
Profile Image for Terra.
254 reviews45 followers
July 11, 2009
Any Minute by Joyce Meyer, Deborah Bedford is a inspirational story of one woman's drive to succeed no matter what the costs. A story of insecurity and child hood emotional abuse that will send Sarah into turmoil and making her see that faith is all it takes to overcome what has been done.

Sarah Harper is motivated, ruthless and in all reality self destructive. Mother of two beautiful children and wife of a husband that most of us would treasure she has been blinded to the gifts she has by the drive to prove to herself and others that she really does have great worth. Unfortunately for Sarah she can't see what she has even though it is right in front of her face.

It's not until one unfortunate day and one unfortunate event that Sarah is faced with the realization that she must make a choice of who and what she was and who and what she can be if she is to be given a second chance at life. One life altering event to prove to her that God the Father is indeed listening and watching what she does to herself, her family and all those who come in her path on a daily basis.

Can she see what destructive behavior has been driving her and change this before it is too late? Can she accept the faith of God and Jesus to guide her on the right path for her, her family and all those lives she touches each and every day?

With the help of one old man who is one of God's treasured angels, the spirit of her beloved Grandmother Annie and the innocent love of her small son she will have a chance to redeem herself and have that second chance if she can just accept the faith that God and Jesus do indeed love her just as she is.
Profile Image for Lexy.
1,093 reviews35 followers
November 27, 2019
I thought that this book was ok
Profile Image for Amy Flink.
61 reviews
October 9, 2013
This is one of the best novels I have ever read in my life. It is beautiful. Basically it is about a workaholic mother/housewife who falls into the trap of looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. She accidentally drives her car off a bridge into the river in Chicago and has a near-death experience, which is a huge wake-up call. It brings you to tears, it is so beautiful.
Profile Image for Crystal.
545 reviews42 followers
July 20, 2009
I was very excited about this book, I read Deborah Bedford a few months back and enjoyed the real feeling and characterization she puts into her fiction. I have also heard wonderful things about Joyce Meyer but have never read her.

I was not let down at all. This book takes a real look at a woman who wants it all, perfect husband, perfect children, perfect house and perfect job. But as most of us women know it's very hard to have it all. To Sarah, work is what is most important at the moment. They need the money she makes to live the lifestyle they have created and to give Mitchell and baby Kate all they need. Joe has recently followed his dream of owning his own business and doesn't make the money he used to so it all falls on Sarah's shoulders (or so she thinks).

This book seems so real - if you work outside the home and even if you don't you can see a little or a lot of yourself in Sarah. So when she has her lifechanging moment, you really start to think about your own life.

Though the novel is real - it is not depressing so don't worry about that. It just gives you a lot to think about and a lot to be thankful for. I truly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more books like this.
Profile Image for Susan.
147 reviews
August 25, 2009
There were a lot of cheesy adjectives in the first chapter of this book, so I almost quit reading it. But because I wanted to see what would happen to a woman whose car plunged over a bridge and into a river I plugged along and was soon rewarded; the cheesy adjectives waned, and I began to see why the author might have chosen them. I think she was trying to show how shallow the main character's life was prior to her near-death experience.
The book's message is an important one, and can be simply summed up in this quote from the book: "It is impossible to be both selfish and happy."
The main character had been living life in the fast lane, literally and figuratively. It nearly ruined her marriage and her relationship with her children, and it almost cost her her life.
The near-death experience she had during the time she was submerged in the icey water was a lesson from God. She saw during that time that her problems began all the way back at her conception. But another quote from the book sums up an important lesson for her and for readers alike:
"One mistake does not have to rule a person's entire life."
I would recommend this book to anyone, and tell them to push past the first chapter.
Profile Image for Janna Ryan.
292 reviews40 followers
August 30, 2009
Joyce Meyer may be known for her non-fiction books filled with inspiration and spiritual insight, but she might just have something to offer the fictional world as well. Together with Deborah Bedford they have presented us with the book "Any Minute". What happens when a wife and mother obsessed with her career has a brush with death (maybe more than a brush, more like a punch)? Can she get her priorities straight? Can she salvage her relationship with her children? Her husband? Is it too late or not?

I really enjoyed seeing how this story unfolded and I think my favorite part is that while Sarah may have changed, it didn't magically make everything perfect. Very real life, but still with a happy ending. Very good book!
Profile Image for Shan Scoie.
7 reviews
January 21, 2016
This book was ok but i was dissapointed by the way it finished. It seemed to take ages for the story to reach the part where a wrong decision changes Sarah's life forever and then i felt the second half was very rushed, predictable and cliched and not as in depth as it could have been.
Profile Image for Jaymie.
722 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2021
Uplifting and inspiring story. A little reminiscent of the Christmas Carol. Overall was short and had a good message. Guardian angels, second chances, kindness and compassion and making every minute count. You have one life..your choices matter.

“Any minute you might get the chance to make someone else happy. Any minute you might get your chance to be a giver. So be watchful at all times and don’t let any opportunity to do good pass you by!”
Profile Image for Marisa.
577 reviews40 followers
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March 29, 2019
Christian lit isn’t my thing, and yet I seem to keep accidentally picking up Christian lit. As soon as I realized it, I set this book aside. It’s not for me, but I’m glad to see that it means a lot to other people!
Profile Image for Diana.
89 reviews
July 31, 2025
for a book I thrifted and randomly picked up for 5 bucks, amazing. It was religious in matters of family and acts of kindness which I didn’t expect. Teared up at the end. This made me sign up again to volunteer at the animal shelter this weekend, rlly liked the message.
Profile Image for Nolan.
3,747 reviews38 followers
January 2, 2022
Sarah Harper is a driven woman by every measure. She and her husband agreed early on that they would work hard and make the necessary sacrifices early so that in later years, things could slow down, and they would have the life they wanted. He restores old cars; she trades commodities and almost parenthetically has two children. For Sarah, it’s all about the job! She has to be first and best at everything she does. That magical Cubs game the family is attending while they save her a seat? Oh, well, that has to go by the wayside because a work emergency preempts it. Her eight-year-old son is old enough to notice that Mom isn’t hanging much with the family. The marriage is fraying and in serious danger. She even uses a website to monitor how well a Polish-born nanny is doing with her toddler.

That all changes the day she tries to beat a parting bridge over the Chicago River and her car plunges into the river. While her body languishes in the ice-cold river, her spirit advances to a paradise place wherein she interacts with a homeless man whom she had spurned while in the company of her son and with her beloved grandmother. The two show her the areas where she is failing and help her understand how crucial it is that things go in a different direction if she is allowed to return to life.

I was reminded as I read this of a statement a former leader of my faith made back in the mid ‘60s. “No other success, he said, “can compensate for failure in the home.” It seems unlikely that Joyce Meyer would quote from David O. McKay, but she could have to the benefit of the book. That’s the overarching undergirding theme here. The idea is that putting family and home second behind the driving ambition of a hard-driving career is never a good idea.

This got a bit preachy in a spot or two from my perspective, but I enjoyed the idea that Sarah didn’t change instantly like flipping a switch. Even though she saw what she saw, she needed to deliberately work to break old habits once her body and spirit were reunited. That seemed realistic to me.

The bottom line is, if you read this, you may start singing Dan Seals’s “All That Glitters Is Not Gold” or Dan Fogelberg’s “The Power of Gold.” It’s an interesting new year experience at rethinking old priorities.
Profile Image for Stephanie Waterhouse.
249 reviews3 followers
January 11, 2015
This is my first time reading fiction from Joyce Meyer. I will have to admit I originally didn't like the character Sarah and because of my dislike for her I was going to call it quit. Sarah reminded me of real life with the nasty self righteous behavior of many on Wall Street. I could not take her neglect of family for a job with a boss who couldn't care less for anyone as long as he made money (legally or illegally) just to leave an inheritance for his ungrateful children. I was being very judgmental, which is a no no for one who claims to be a child of the Most High. I'm glad I continued reading and became convicted making judgement on someone's character without knowing anything about them or trying to see life through their eyes. This was a good lesson on applying the gift of Discerning of Spirit to a situation.

Sarah and her husband were having problems in their marriage which basically came to a head where life changing decisions had to be made. After they made separate prayers to a God, whom they weren't really connected, their life changed dramatically.

From the beginning I was fascinated with the "stranger" who was a "friend" (Wingtip) of Sarah's eight year old son, Mitchell. I came to appreciate the different characters after we were given their back story in various flashbacks and revealing reflections. Sarah's story, at times, came in the form of A Christmas Carol where she was visited by different spirits (past, present and future).

Fascinating...intriguing...thought provoking read. A story to learn about someone else's life, but also one to make some soul searching based on truths presented. What is our worth? How does God use our circumstances, choices, decisions, events, etc. to work out life according to His purpose? Can we make a conscience effort to change and be completely transformed? A reminder---hurting people, hurt people! I liked this book and recommend to all audiences, not just the religious community.
Profile Image for Val Pearson.
115 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2009
I can't say enough good things about this particular audiobook. It was fantastic! The topics that were touched upon, I could really relate to. Sarah is so busy with her life that she sees that she is neglecting her family but doesn't know how to go about solving her problem. She can do things for everyone around her but when it comes to her family, the people she is closest to, it is so much more difficult to make things right. Throughout the book, Sarah forms a closer bond with God and learns to stop relying on pride and wants and starts to rely on God for all her needs. Sarah's eyes and heart are opened in what can only be described as a life altering incident.

Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford have written a book that is so necessary for our time. A book of forgiveness, overcoming pride and anger is what I think so many of us need to hear right now. This book touched me on a very intimate level and I feel as though I am a more empowered person by hearing the message about God that Any Minute portrays. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a definite MUST READ. I have read Joyce Meyer books before and fallen in love with her style of writing but never anything by Deborah Bedford. Because of Any Minute, I will certainly be checking out Deborah Bedford's books. Any Minute is written with such talent, knowledge and a love for God and spreading His word that I couldn't help but fall in love with this story and I know you will too.

Profile Image for Debbie.
902 reviews176 followers
July 24, 2009
I loved this book even if it was a little cliche and I could not stop reading. It killed me to have to stop when I got to work with only about 40 pages left to read. Watching Sarah's character was like watching a whirlwind of efficiency blowing through life as she tried to be the perfect wife, mother, employee and yet never really satisfying anyone fully, including herself. After she drives her car off a bridge and plunges into the river she experiences something akin to The Christmas Carol in which she is taken to view pieces of her past, present and future. These experiences make her realize that in her rush she was missing out on some of the best parts of her life.

Although personality-wise I am unlike Sarah her character reminded me that sometimes you just need to slow down and enjoy what is going on around you whether it be your family or just a nice day in the park. Don't always be in such a rush to get from point A to point B that you can't soak what is around you.

I highly recommend this book as it will draw you in and even bring tears to your eyes at some points!
Profile Image for Carla Stewart.
Author 16 books152 followers
April 23, 2012
Any Minute is about Sarah, a high-octane stock broker, who will settle for nothing less than perfection in her professional life and as a wife and mother. This is a story about choices. Hard choices about what is important in life. At her core, Sarah knows she’s letting her children down and that her marriage is suffering, but at the same time, pressure is building at the office, and in an attempt to juggle it all, her world falls apart.

Or does it? Sometimes God intervenes in our feeble attempts at doing life. He goes to great lengths to reach His children, to give them a glimpse of His plan and His unparalleled redemption.

In this fast-paced, provocative book, the authors do a great job of evoking empathy for Sarah and Joe and especially their young son, Mitchell. An interesting thread about Chicago Cubs baseball is woven in, making this a read that both men and women will enjoy and relate to. I know I did.
Profile Image for Ali Fjeldos.
5 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2013
This was my first experience with a Joyce Meyer book of any kind. I had this book for two years and kept telling myself I wasn't ready to start reading Christian fiction so I have put off reading it until recently. I am so glad that I finally felt inspired to crack it open. Once I started reading the first page I instantly felt hooked. Personally I connected to the story on a different level than most because I have had a 'brink of death' experience. The novel helped me recapture much the same emotion of euphoric joy and appreciation for life that I experienced after my accident. The discussion questions at the end of the book are really interesting and add some substance to this reading experience.
Profile Image for Laura.
223 reviews
August 30, 2014
Addictiveness ❤❤❤
Originality ✯✯✯
Detail ♢♢♢
Story/Plot ✪✪✪
Characters ♡♡
Memorable✿✿✿
Likeness to recommend to others ✤✤✤
Recommend it for: those who enjoy spiritual/religious fiction.

This was an easy read with a feel good moral that it is never too late to change along with a challenge to be cautious of decisions you make (where do you get putting work ahead of everything else). While reminiscent of A Christmas Carol this book also stands on its own. The detail and tangibility of emotions between Sarah and her husband kept me reading (and had me simultaneously wanting to strangle Sarah and hoping for a happy ending). While the religious theme is predominate, I did not find it overbearing but I also focused more on the family interactions rather than the religious theme.
Profile Image for Adrienna.
Author 18 books242 followers
October 12, 2009
Listening to the audio book: where it takes place in the windy city, Chicago, and Chicago Cubs. Joyce Meyer is not only a nonfiction writer, now writing fiction.

So far, this book is too descriptive and not getting to the meat of the story! It was extremely slow for me. Some parts were rushed, and wondered how Sarah survived (unless I missed it on audio) and her son Mitchell falls from the Scoreboard at a Chicago Cubs game, did not hear if he lived with any injuries. If this is the case, these parts were unrealistic! In a book, I could re-read or go back, did not want to rewind on CD.

However, I love her nonfiction books.
97 reviews
June 11, 2012
I started to read this book for the second time, and I couldn't figure out how I had ever even read it once. I couldn't finish it again. 50+ pages in, nothing had even happened. The amount of adjectives were overwhelming, and made the book sound like it was written by a kid who had just discovered what adjectives were. All of the characters were pretty annoying and totally unlikable. The plot of the story (woman who lives her life in a whirlwind and neglects her family over work has a near death experience) was pretty interesting, but it would be much too painful to continue reading the book to even reach that part.
Profile Image for Mary Ladrick.
281 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2015
Sarah is a busy working mother on the go all the time focused on her career to the extreme where she doesn't have time for her family. The accident shakes things up and Joe and Sarah both realise what is important in life. Sarah's experience in the spiritual realm open up her eyes to the reality of continuing down her current path, especially consequences for her children. The angel, Wingtip, offers some great insights. Sarah learns that giving to others and making her family her priority leads to her happiness. These are lessons that can be applied to life in this time of go go go. We need to slow down and focus on what really matters - the people in our lives.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
121 reviews52 followers
July 14, 2009
After: Okay, so this wasn't the most unpredictable book that I've ever read. Really pretty standard for Christian fiction although that in itself is not always a bad thing. Quick read. I did find myself wanting to get back to it when I wasn't reading. That's always a good sign.

Before: Haven't started this but I do have it and I will start it... I'm checking it out because it's Joyce Meyer fiction and I'm curious. Not usually a Meyer fan but I thought I'd give her fiction a whirl. Back of the book sounded interesting...
Profile Image for Becki.
1,554 reviews33 followers
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February 12, 2015
Again, I'm pretty confident that while Joyce Meyer provided the concept that Deborah Bedford did the majority of the actual authoring of this book.\n\nIt was a very engaging story...except you knew everything was going to turn out okay in the end. \n\nI could relate to Sarah is some ways - driven to succeed and attain perfection in all areas. Feeling stressed by all the pressure...although I would have probably driven off the bridge on purpose instead of accident.
Profile Image for Melissa.
128 reviews
August 26, 2016
At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this. But once I got into the book I kept having to put it down because I didn't want to read it too fast. It's not super religious like specific religion but it definately pulls at heart strings. Too focused on your job to realize the damage your doing to your family life. Following in the footsteps of your mother who has a hard heart. Learn how to forgive and change your life. Its never too late. Its really a good book.
Profile Image for ccqdesigns.
123 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2010
This book was just what I needed to read at the time I picked it up. I had no idea when I started that it was Christian fiction. The story is a modern day adaptation of "A Christmas Carol". And even though the story is an old one, the message is still a good one. Pass this one on to someone that might need to read it again.
Profile Image for Priscilla Perez.
41 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2014
I loved this story. It's about a woman who gets a second chance to appreciate her family and prioritize her time. It reminds us to take the time to sow into others' lives. It shows how one can make a difference in someone's life, if they take the time to see their need and offer assistance. It was also about forgiveness, really enjoyed the Christian principles found in the book.
Profile Image for Elaine.
2,258 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2014
I love Joyce's other book The Penny. This one, not so much. It was Dickens' Christmas Carol-esque is part. Too much of a change occurring immediately following the conversion of one of the characters. I can see this being made into a movie if it isn't already.
Profile Image for Nancy Castell-Stuart.
67 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2011
I enjoyed the the meaning of the story. It's a good story to remind you of what is really important, how easily you can divert from it, and how quickly it can all change. I did not care for the religion. Not that it was poorly written, I just didn't relate.

I'm glad I read it, tho'.
Profile Image for Robin S.
2 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2009
I like this book. It was a quick read, which was nice since I have not been in the mood to read.
I like the characters, I relate to the relationship between husband and wife. Boy, how easy it is to avoid confrontation by skirting around the problem.
Profile Image for Tara Romero.
80 reviews6 followers
January 4, 2010
This book was ok. I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. The plot/lesson to be learned was predictable but it was a lesson that is always good to learn, appreciate those around you, etc. Reminded a lot of the Christmas Carol.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews

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