Dancing with Max is a story of a mom and her son who has autism who open the door to the amazing mysteries of life and its purpose.

Emily has had a tough row to hoe, yet she trusts God to give her strength for the daily challenges she faces. In the daily struggles of her life, she learns the beauty God has in ashes. She catches flashes of heaven.

Max is a sweet baby who cries and throws tantrums and never really seems to "grow out of it." He has severe anxiety in public places. Like a human GPS, Max has a photographic memory when it comes to road signs, bridges, and cars. His compassionate heart sees beyond what the eye can see and flashes of heaven can be shown to the patient eye watching him. As he grows up in this story, Max grows in all the hearts who are fortunate to know him.

This story is a beautiful weaving of life: full of ups and downs, disappointments and victories, joy and pain. The story is also about the Story Maker, God. God created Max and He has plans for him. The dance that God has is full of purpose and reason even when we may not understand or know all the answers. We see Max and his struggles with the simplest things, yet how caring for another hurting person turns a faucet on pouring out all his strengths.

As January is the Celebration of the Sanctity of Life Month, reading this book reminds me again how close God is to those with disabilities. And that in one way or another, we all have disabilities. From conception to death, God is the One in control of our lives. He loves us and wants us to know that.

Job 10:10-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

10 You guided my conception

and formed me in the womb.[a]

11 You clothed me with skin and flesh,

and you knit my bones and sinews together.

12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.

My life was preserved by your care.

Of all the books I have ever read, this has to be by far one of the most touching and powerful examples of unselfish love I ever seen written. I even told my wife that I would love to see this book made into a motion picture. Very inspiring and moving. It looks at the personal side of Autism and how it affects everyone involved. A must read.

This is one of the best books I've read all year.Emily Colson, daughter of well known author Chuck Colson, has written a book that documents her struggles raising an austic son. She writes with clarity, honesty and an amazing sense of humor.Two of the best chapters in the book are GRIEVING THE DREAM and ORDER FROM CHAOS. The story within the story, however, is how the author writes about her ongoing relationship with her well-known father, and how her autistic son has changed him as well.One of my favorite quotes from the book is this: "Max is not a burden; he is my greatest gift. I'm not about to give up. I'm just not sure I can keep going."But you know she will. And the lessons we can all learn from this book are invaluable.

This book is an Awesome heart aching book. So much of this is my two boys. I really wish there was a movie of this book. I read this book in a day I was unable to put it down it was a good reader. Thanks for writing this book.

I loved reading Dancing with Max. Emily's perspective on autism is not that it steals our dreams, but that it builds our character and gives our lives purpose. She views her son Max as a precious gift to be loved. She vows to "grab onto joy" regardless of circumstances. I found her story touching and refreshing.