What happens to us when we die? It is a question that every human that has walked the planet has pondered at one time or another during their lifetime, and normally comes to their mind when there is a death that hits close to home. Delving deeper can help someone cope with the loss, which is exactly what happened to Christian M.M. Brady.

"We experienced the Beautiful and Terrible Things of this life," says Mr. Brady and sadly he experienced both in his son, Mack. Losing a child is grief unimaginable, but the author used his pain and despair to dig deeper into his beliefs, and share how he has been able to cope with the biggest tragedy of his life.

"This book is my lament," but it is also a book filled with reflection and hope. Each chapter ends with Bible verses, prayers, and reflection questions that bring that chapter to a rooted and more personal level. The text doesn't come across as preachy but yet still shares the message of the Gospel from a place of brokenness. It is heartbreakingly beautiful to read.

Honestly, I don't think there is a better way to share your faith than when you are faced with your own mortality, and I commend Mr. Brady for this text. I cannot fathom how hard it is to lose a child so suddenly, and to write such a wonderful testimony. I cannot recommend Beautiful and Terrible Things highly enough!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the John Knox Press through NetGalley. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

The title of this book caught my attention and I was interested in learning more about how dealing with suffering and grief. This book was fantastic in places and kind of hard to follow in others. In the places that were harder to follow, the passages were a bit too academic for this reader. The author shares his story of his young son dying and how he has dealt with it and how he questioned and even wrestled with God. He shows the reader that it is okay with God to question and that He invites us to question Him. The author also reminds Christians that pain, suffering and grief are part of living here and while it breaks God's heart, it's just part of the fall of man and will be used for good at some point in time, maybe not on this side but most likely after He has brought the new kingdom into being.

This book is timely considering the difficult days we are seeing right now.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.