This book is a collection of true life stories compiled and written by Guideposts Editor-in-Chief.  The Promise of Hope will encourage you in your walk of faith. Edward Grinnan masterfully blends several stories interspersed with a personal account of his own journey to faith. Each story that is shared has hardships that are overcome by ordinary people. Grinnan’s story, as well, keeps us wondering when he will finally come to face the truth of his own spiritual need. When the moment comes, it is compelling and makes us realize how close life and death sometimes are, when life is spiraling down and miracles are needed. It came down to such a moment for him. In this book, we see a mother’s love that sustains, continues and never gives up. We see the pain of a mysterious death. We see the hurt and denial caused by addiction. We also see the the dullness of pain and the sense of a person being lost to their own self. I am glad for this narrative. It shares the human condition in an up close and personal way. We are walking Grinnan’s journey with him and parts of it ain’t very pretty. Particularly touching (to me) was Grinnan’s account of his lost love. Somehow I could relate to his sense of loss and longing and her sense of the need to move on with life. That is a very real experience that relates to many of our painful pasts.  Most of all, I found myself encouraged by the evidence that God still calls the prodigal home. In doing so, He meets people where they’re at and makes them into people they never dreamed they would end up being; better, fulfilled, and grateful.