Reviewer: Trudy
Title: Loving Promises
Author: Gail Gaymer Martin
Publisher: Steeple Hill
ISBN: 0-373-87301-8
Release Date: March 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance
Year/Setting: Present, Loving Michigan
Overall rating: 4
Sexual content rating: None
Gail's Website:
www.gailmartin.com
Gail Martin writes about love and healing that can only come from God.
Bev Miller is a widow whose husband’s untimely death causes some rocky times for her and her two children. After three years, Bev is starting to feel alive again though not ready for a serious relationship and may not ever be ready for another serious commitment.
Dale Levin is caring for his aging parents. While he can see the love and devotion they have for one another and are proving their vows "until death do us part" true as his mother has MS, Dale’s not so sure that marriage is for him. He’s sure that God doesn’t hear prayers and isn’t merciful and loving – just look what He did to his mother.
Bev’s mother seems lead to be Dale’s mother’s care-giver, but after a while Dale wonders if it truly was a blessing. Through the course of God’s leadings, Bev and Dale and their parents come together to help, guide, comfort and love each other.
Bev comes to realize through her willingness to lean on God and rely on His direction that she may be able to love again. With His help she can be ready for a serious relationship. Dale, on the other hand, struggles with his faith. He doesn’t see God working or answering prayers so why bother.
Through many conflicts, together Bev and Dale come to rely on God’s direction. They learn from each other and grow through their struggles as God leads them in the direction He wants them to go.
Gail writes the story weaving scripture and food-for-thought throughout as she describes the struggles her characters have. They are real struggles that I could relate to. And though there were times that I thought some of the conflicts and struggles were drawn-out, it came together through God’s leadings. I related to Dale’s struggles with Bev’s mom seeming to come in and take over Dale’s mom’s care as well as his dad’s needs. As I read the situation, I felt the same as Dale, resentment and hurt. I believe I would act the same in that situation.
Gail reminds us that though all these feelings are human, God can lead us because He cares for us. We need to seek and trust Him as He knows best.
When I was half way through the book, one sentence jumped out at me that describes the characters in the book. "They were people struggling with private matters, needing the wonderful assurance that God was in charge." It also struck me that this may relate to all of us. We are human and because of life we struggle daily. We need to know God is with us through all of it and will lead us in the direction He wants us to go.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing Bev and Dale’s story. I know that readers will find the same reminders as I did, to continue to seek the Lord and His ways in life. You’ll never go the wrong way if you rely on God.
Trudy
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