AT THE SCENT OF WATER by Linda Nichols

I don't think I can adequately express what a great job this author did in telling a story.  As it says on the back of the book, "Two unimaginable tragedies . . . Two broken lives. . . .  that gives one a small clue as to what you can expect.  The title of the story, which comes from Job 14:7-9, also gives one a clue as to what to expect, "At least there is hope for a tree:. . . . Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet 'at the scent of water' it will bud and put forth shots like a plant."  This was a story filled with sorrow, heartache and pain, but through it all God was able to bring forth hope, joy and healing.  You will see Him directing the path and you will find hurting hearts healed.  I will definitely be reading more by this author.

This is a story of Samuel and Annie Truelove.  Samuel is a gifted heart surgeon who married the love of his life, Annie.  They had their home in the mountains of North Carolina and  were blessed with a little girl.  Tragedy will strike this family and deep sorrow will overtake them and they will run from each other and from their God.  But God is faithful and will send people and circumstances into their life to draw them unto Him and back to each other.  Be prepared to feel their sorrow and heartache and to shed some tears, but you will also see the hand of God at work and rejoice in how He works things out.

I will close with a poem you will read near the end of this story which if you never read this story you should at least read this poem,
 "My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me.
 I cannot choose the colors He works so steadily.
Oft times He weaves in sorrow, and I, in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles case to fly
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why."