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Can't Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave
by
We are all broken.
It’s a unified human experience.
And we all need a hope that doesn't disappoint,
a love that anchors us,
joy that survives in unthinkable conditions,
and a perspective shift that goes beyond our circumstances.
Some days we feel the perfection of sunshine and a light breeze. Other days hold wet, gray skies with drowning grief. In the wake, comes promise of new ...more
It’s a unified human experience.
And we all need a hope that doesn't disappoint,
a love that anchors us,
joy that survives in unthinkable conditions,
and a perspective shift that goes beyond our circumstances.
Some days we feel the perfection of sunshine and a light breeze. Other days hold wet, gray skies with drowning grief. In the wake, comes promise of new ...more
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Start your review of Can't Steal My Joy: The Journey to a Different Kind of Brave
An honest, transparent, gut-wrenching and yet hope filled look into the lives of a couple who lived through the unimaginable pain of watching their beloved son slip away from them due to a fatal disease. Bekah invites you both into the pain and unexpected joy found thru suffering. A poignant reminder that when our dreams are shattered we are held by our creator.
This book is an amazing story of a family who find so much strength and joy in the Lord through some very hard times. I've followed their story for quite some time and really enjoyed getting reacquainted with each of them. Bekah is a wonderful writer and her love for the Lord, her family and friends shines through!
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This is a beautifully written book about finding joy in pain. Not a light, silly joy but a deep and abiding one. Bekah renders her story of her sons' genetic disease with vulnerability and strength. Powerful, encouraging, uplifting. Read with Kleenex nearby.
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Can't Steal My Joy is both heart-wrenching and life-giving at the same time. I've highlighted line after line, sometimes barely able to see through tears.
The truths Bekah shares in Can't Steal My Joy are applicable to everyday life--not just life lived in the midst of incredible tragedy. With humility and vulnerability, Bekah shares their story, interspersed with excerpts of what she wrote from within the raw depths of their brokenness. Bekah's pursuit of joy puts one's own personal heartbreak ...more
The truths Bekah shares in Can't Steal My Joy are applicable to everyday life--not just life lived in the midst of incredible tragedy. With humility and vulnerability, Bekah shares their story, interspersed with excerpts of what she wrote from within the raw depths of their brokenness. Bekah's pursuit of joy puts one's own personal heartbreak ...more
This book is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, and full of a beautiful story of a life of redemption and joy. I loved reading this book and following Bekah and her family's journey, along with learning of her thoughts, emotions, struggles, and triumphs. She is both raw and real, and it's a fast-paced read. I highly recommend to anyone who wonders if they'd be able to handle true suffering, to anyone who has endured grief of any kind, to anyone who likes a story with a hopeful ending, to anyone w
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I don't usually cry over books...but I cried. Bekah tells the story of losing her precious son, and fighting for her other little boy...and choosing to find joy in the midst of the most unimaginable pain. Filled with her heartfelt journal entries and the story of her little boys, Titus and Ely, this book is all at once heartbreaking and joyful. She reminds us that even in the very darkest hour, God is still good, and there is reason to live life to the fullest and hold on to the hope of heaven.
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Bekah’s story is both heartbreaking and beautiful. In this book, she invites us into the raw pain of parenting two boys with a devastating illness and shows us how she found God’s peace, strength and true joy in the midst of it. Bekah has a powerful way with words, and I have no doubt this book will be a profound read for all who experience it.
Sep 16, 2019
Pamela Henkelman
added it
Rebekah is a voice for any who have suffered. There is a clarity as she shares from deep loss. She has learned so much and vulnerably shares her story to help others! You will come away with hope in your heart and faith to believe God can help you through any situation! This is only the beginning for a very talented writer.
Honestly this book touched me in a million different ways. The honesty and transparency will have you literally in the book. It's like you can feel what she's feeling. I pray that this book will bless you as much as it did me.
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Loved this book. All of the feels ... joy, anger, grief, defeat ... beautifully written and full of truth spoken to a broken grieving mom. So blessed to know this family. Worth every minute and a definite good read!
Honest, raw and so moving. Whatever the cause of your broken, bruised heart, this book is a salve of companionship and comfort for those who bear the burden of suffering, loss, disappointment and grief. We never need journey alone!
Faced with a devastating medical diagnosis for both of their sweet boys their momma shares their story and how their strong faith in the lord gets them through.
Reading this book was a hallowed, life altering experience, where the veil into a story that is unthinkable is lifted and you are invited by a mother’s achingly honest, soul stirring words to a front row seat of how life’s ultimate heartbreak and God’s absolute goodness intersect.
As I was reading I was transported into the depths of this family’s story by the unmatched transparency and vulnerability shared by the author. She holds nothing back in rawly sharing her family’s painful experience and ...more
As I was reading I was transported into the depths of this family’s story by the unmatched transparency and vulnerability shared by the author. She holds nothing back in rawly sharing her family’s painful experience and ...more
I can't imagine having a child and then finding out that child has a fatal rare disease. Then finding out your other child has the same disease. That is what Bekah Bowman and her husband went through. What they are going through. How this disease almost took them down, but how a strong faith in God kept them going. How God lifted Bekah up time and time again. When there were times she didn't feel she could go on God told her He would be there for her every step of the way. He has been with her e
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Bekah Bowman should have had this book printed on yellow-colored pages. I had so many highlights the entire book looks yellow. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "And you wonder why I'm so strong; why I don't just fall? Because God has used my community to reinforce what I already know: that He loves us and we are not alone. And I will do the very same for anyone else who finds themselves battling on the frontlines in their story. Satan, you need to know...you can't steal my joy." Keep
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Can’t Steal My Joy walks us through the story of a family that was giving the worst news imaginable to most parents, not once but twice! The author takes us through all the real, raw emotions, thoughts, and actions that she experienced and how she was able to see God’s loving promise of hope through it all, through the worst. This book had me in tears over and over again, but yet left me with the greatest feeling of hope. It is a must read for anyone dealing with difficult times or just seeking
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This book is a must-read for anyone going through a season of grief. A mother writes a very raw, personal, heart wrenching account of her heart following the diagnosis and eventual death of her precious son and how she chose to not accept the brokenness that it entailed. As a woman who lost my 1st husband 12 years ago, I wish there had been a book like this to help me through. It's honest, thought-provoking and helps you realize that God has a plan even through dark times. I would highly recomme
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The words, emotions, heartbreak, joy and victory you will read in these pages of this book compare to none other. The author takes you through their amazing story of a parents worst nightmare, through The Valley of grief and then in to the victorious joy of knowing Who knows how our stories end. I could so relate to this book and the many emotions that go along with grief and loss. Such a powerful story.
This book is life-transforming. It reaches in to the deepest crevasses of your heart and unveils a story of immeasurable loss, unexplainable joy and all the emotions in between when life as you know it quickly changes. The author’s words beautifully resonate with anyone who feels conflicted when hard things come their way. She has opened up her heart in the most fragile and darkest places. Can’t Steal My Joy will encourage broken people to keep fighting for joy.
What would you do if you found out BOTH of your children had a fatal genetic disease - turn away from Jesus or towards Him? Author Bekah Bowman walks us through her journey in her incredibly moving first book. It is not just a book about sadness - it is a book about love, uplifting joy and hopefulness in a most unspeakable walk through life.
Can’t Steal my Joy: A journey to a different kind of brave is a giant hug to your heart and soul. If you or a loved one are sitting in a dark season of life this is a must read. The author takes the reader along a journey in which God’s Grace continues to shine joy even in the deepest pain. I plan to reread this book multiple times in the future as a beautiful reminder of God’s love.
A beautifully written heart-wrenching hope-filled story. Such a gift to be invited to join Bekah on her transparent courageous journey of finding joy while losing her son Titus to a horrible disease called Batten's. Strongly recommend.
She writes: "Being invited into Titus’s story invites us into something so much bigger than ourselves. It’s being invited into brokenness. And oddly, everyone craves that because that’s where we can be real. When we are willing to recognize that we are ALL broken, ...more
She writes: "Being invited into Titus’s story invites us into something so much bigger than ourselves. It’s being invited into brokenness. And oddly, everyone craves that because that’s where we can be real. When we are willing to recognize that we are ALL broken, ...more
I was drawn to this book because I have child with a life-limiting diagnosis. The author certainly put words to the feelings I feel constantly. It is a lonely path, when you have a child with a terminal diagnosis. There are a lot of people who surround you, but they don’t truly ‘get it’ - and their words become platitudes.
There really aren’t many books that I can fully relate to. If I try to read a book about a child with any issue or disease that isn’t terminal, I can’t stop myself from thinki ...more
There really aren’t many books that I can fully relate to. If I try to read a book about a child with any issue or disease that isn’t terminal, I can’t stop myself from thinki ...more
Have you ever experienced any kind of brokenness in your life? Who of us hasn’t? Whether you have walked the difficult journey of facing a terminal illness diagnosis being given to your child or you have been beaten down by the typical rhythms of life, then Can’t Steal My Joy will speak straight to your heart. Not only will it speak to your heart, but it will reach the depths of your heart where the biggest heartbreak exists while at the same time touching the peak of your heart where the greate
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Uplifting and personal
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Bekah's dive into despair if the loss of a child and how her Christ-knowledge deepened her faith as she met Jesus's life and message of unconditional love. Reading her account and testimony helps me to see where he'll is provided in any (and every) challenge I face! Thank you for sharing your pain and your triumph with your readers. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Bekah's dive into despair if the loss of a child and how her Christ-knowledge deepened her faith as she met Jesus's life and message of unconditional love. Reading her account and testimony helps me to see where he'll is provided in any (and every) challenge I face! Thank you for sharing your pain and your triumph with your readers. ...more
I am reading, “Can’t Steal My Joy” by Bekah Bowman. She and her husband are experiencing the gut wrenching fact that not one, but both of their boys were diagnosed with Batten Disease for which there is no cure. Where are you, Lord? Where is our loving God through the death of their oldest, sweet 6- year-old Titus? Where are you, Lord, as their second son, Ely experiences similar symptoms of this disease? Bekah’s words through her blogs and commentary show her mama’s heart, her questions, her an
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Can't Steal My Joy is a book that has challenged me and encouraged me in many ways. If anyone has experienced grief, specifically regarding pediatric disease or loss, I highly recommend you read this book.
Bekah's story is honest and raw. She discusses her grief and her journey to finding joy when given the absolute worst circumstances as a parent. She reminds us all that while grief is an unwelcome guest that sometimes visits and challenges us in ways we could not have imagined, there is incred ...more
Bekah's story is honest and raw. She discusses her grief and her journey to finding joy when given the absolute worst circumstances as a parent. She reminds us all that while grief is an unwelcome guest that sometimes visits and challenges us in ways we could not have imagined, there is incred ...more
Healing flows from the very heart of this book. It is both achingly honest and stunningly beautiful. I have never met Bekah Bowman, but I feel like I know her. Her warmth and vulnerability invite you right into her heart. Hers is a remarkable story of finding joy and peace in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. We can all learn from her perspective, but more importantly I feel that my own heart has received an impartation of joy simply by reading her story. Buy a copy for yourself, bu
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I have been following Bekah’s story on her blog for a few years. I’m so glad to have a book now to put all the pieces together as well as share with my friends and family. Can’t Steal My Joy is a “must read” for EVERYONE not just someone suffering with grief and loss.
The way Bekah communicates through her writing is honest, raw, and relatable. It helps me to question myself while dealing with life to find joy and purpose even through the hard stuff. This book is life changing and one that I will ...more
The way Bekah communicates through her writing is honest, raw, and relatable. It helps me to question myself while dealing with life to find joy and purpose even through the hard stuff. This book is life changing and one that I will ...more
Hope for everyone
My life is not one that has been riddled with heartbreak like so many have. But I admit that I still have allowed my joy to be stolen at times. This book was a strong but gentle reminder of the true source of joy and the importance of being part of a community of support and strength. This book gives hope to everyone, no matter the amount or kind of heartbreak we have faced, that hope is real and joy is possible.
My life is not one that has been riddled with heartbreak like so many have. But I admit that I still have allowed my joy to be stolen at times. This book was a strong but gentle reminder of the true source of joy and the importance of being part of a community of support and strength. This book gives hope to everyone, no matter the amount or kind of heartbreak we have faced, that hope is real and joy is possible.
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