The words written by Henri Nouwen in this thoughtful book, Life of the Beloved, helped a friend of mine through a trying time in her life. She later shared Nouwen’s book with me. “Beloved” is a warm term to describe the relationship of God with His children. Henri Nouwen wrote this book for a friend at his friend’s request. His friend wanted something for himself and his secular friends that would describe what Nouwen had found in his religion, written specifically for those whom do not understand the relationship component of “God with Us.” This is a warmly written book, almost fatherly in its calm treatment of the spiritual, much like a teacher will do with a skeptical student when the teacher goes in through the back door to approach a difficult-to-grasp concept. It reads like a personal communicant on God and how God fits into real life in a personal dimension. Spiritual in tone, this book is not about religious practices or the deep yearning, and it is not about doctrine or an intellectual pursuit. It is about what it means to be a beloved child of God, someone who finds their value in God, and not through doing or in prideful acts.

Do you like true life stories? Buy this book.

Do you like tragedy to triumph accounts? Buy this book.

Do you like people who make a difference? Buy this book.

Walk to Beautiful is Jimmy Wayne’s story . . . and it’s quite a story. He was mistreated, abandoned, in and out of foster homes, and lived a life where few cared. One teacher did, and he gives her a lot of deserved credit. This is also the story of Bea Costner, to whom this book is dedicated. She put a lot into Jimmy’s life even though he kept his story to himself when she and her husband took him in as a homeless sixteen year. Plain and simple, she lived out her Christianity through loving and giving.  There are four sections to his story. First we learn about Jimmy’s life in childhood. It was much worse than your average dysfunction. He suffered major traumatic events. Next, Bea and her husband save Jimmy’s life by rescuing Jimmy and giving him a hope and a future. Their business is making wooden butter churns. Then we learn that Jimmy has a dream of becoming a singer-songwriter, which eventually comes true. But it takes tons of effort and a few good breaks. The last section is Jimmy’s walk  Meet Me Halfway, to raise awareness for kids in the foster care system and to bring notice to the plight of 18 year olds aging out of the system before they’re ready. Walk to Beautiful is a story of hope, love, God, and new beginnings. I first heard about this book on a radio interview with Jimmy Wayne.