Parting the Waters

I first “met” Jeanne Damoff through my friend TJ’s blog last fall. I found myself clicking through Jeanne's website--looking at her pictures, reading about her life--drawn in by her vivid use of words. Then I came to a paragraph that talked about her 15-year-old son Jacob’s near-drowning accident. She had written a book about it, Parting the Waters, and it was going to be released in November 2008.

At first, I shrinked from the thought of reading the book. Our family had already been through so much suffering and unknown the previous year, I didn’t know if I wanted to read about anyone else’s suffering. However, the synopsis of the book intrigued me, offered hope even, and when I read Lisa Samson’s quote on the front of the book, I couldn’t wait for the book to come out. “ . . this book is for anybody whose life didn’t turn out quite the way they expected.”

It was a Thursday afternoon when Parting the Waters came in the mail. I had about 15 minutes before I had to pick up Carly from preschool, so I tore open the package and dove into the book. I was standing by my kitchen table as I began to read, and 15 minutes later, I was still standing in the same spot. I was so engrossed in the book, I didn’t want to put it down.

From the beginning, Jeanne does a tremendous job giving the right amount of detail and description. She took more than five years of events and milestones and communicated them extremely well. I felt like I was reading the thoughts of a good friend and a devotional at the same time. Jeanne writes with such refreshing transparency, sharing her honest thoughts and emotions throughout Jacob’s recovery. Her faith is inspiring, and as a reader, it was amazing to see God’s abundant provision and blessings poured out on the Damoff family and those who rallied around them. The real-life characters in the story are God’s hands and feet. I found myself wanting to meet each one of them in person.

As I read, I was often struck to the core with Jeanne’s narrative. I was drawn in and felt like I was witnessing first-hand Jacob’s story. I both grieved and rejoiced as I read, cheering for Jacob as he continually defied the doctors’ initial reports. He was surrounded by heroes who gave much of themselves in his journey, but in many ways, Jacob is a hero, too. Jacob’s life is a testimony to God’s divine purposes and plan. God is beautiful in him.

Parting the Waters is a poignant story that I will never forget. Heart-wrenching and hope-inspiring, this book is a beautiful reminder of God’s lovingkindness in the face of sorrow and suffering. It will change the way you view suffering in your life and the lives of those you love.

(To read what others are saying about Parting the Waters, click here.)