The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from the publisher)

She was waiting for love--and found it in the most unexpected place.

Jorie King's life is on hold. She has been waiting for Ben Zook to return to Lancaster County. Waiting for him to settle down and join the church. Waiting to marry him.

But when news arrives that Ben has been killed, Jorie is devastated. She finds unlikely comfort in the friendship of his brother Caleb. Friendship ripens into love, and two broken hearts plan for a life filled with the promise of a fresh beginning--until their worlds are turned upside down.

With her realistic characters whose weaknesses develop into strengths, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers a reading experience that rises above the others. You will love growing in spirit with these complex people living the simple life as The Waiting transports you into a world where things aren't as simple as they seem.

My Thoughts:

I’ve never read a story that deals with personal loss on so many levels simultaneously. The loss of a spouse, a sibling, a parent, a dear friend…grief is explored ten-fold in Suzanne Wood Fisher’s latest novel, The Waiting. These losses are not without hope or purpose though, and in God’s divine design, eventually, solutions are reached in a realistic and meaningful way that pushes all of the characters into a future quite different from the one they imagined for themselves.

The Waiting is a purposeful title for Woods’ deeply moving story. It is actually a truth I have loved and one I have seen lived out in the lives around me. Readers, there are many times God allows us to simply wait. Circumstances in our lives twist and turn in ways that sometimes seem hurtful or random, and we are left wondering what next step we are to take. Instead of pushing ahead in our own strength, sometimes we must wait and rest in God’s strength.

I don’t mean to ramble aimlessly. Suzanne’s story rang true with me. And wile many situations were heart-breaking, they represented realistic trial that come to all of God’s children in one form or another. Actually, one particular scenario really rang true- Mary Ann’s wish for Cal. My own father will soon celebrate 45 years with my mom because of such a heart’s desire expressed to God by one of His children. God is awesome folks, and His ways are far mightier than we can comprehend. Trust Him. Pray. And then wait for His answer. For sometimes in the waiting we learn His perfect will for our lives.

Suzanne Fisher knows this to be true – for she could not have written such a compelling story otherwise. Don’t miss this one!

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the CBA bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, Amish Peace, and Amish Proverbs. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.