Dancing on My Ashes: Learning to Love the One Who Gives and Takes Away

by Heather Gilion

There is a time for everything...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NIV) It was only supposed to take a few hours to scout out a good canoe route. But when James Brill and Scott Nesbitt weren't back in time for dinner, their wives, sisters Heather and Holly Wall, started to pray. They didn't stop--even when the bodies of their beloved husbands turned up a day later in the rushing river. Dancing On My Ashes is a true story that details the painful passage of two young widows out of the ashes and into their dance with the Almighty God. When tragedy strikes, we often discover that we have been living with a false sense of who God is and begin asking questions like, Can Christ heal my wounds? Can He really take the ashes of my life and make them a source of beauty? Dancing On My Ashes is a call to stop living wounded and accept the presence of God's hand in our lives. Are you ready to dance?

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

307 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Donna Tunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story from 2 sisters who had many trials but leaned on God to get them through.

[Kristin B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate how the authors share their struggles through suffering so honestly and ultimately point the reader to the depth of relationship with Christ that allows us to draw close and dance with Him.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in the home church of the Walls and have always been curious to read this book. Decided to finally read it while praying for Heather's son over the past few months. Beautiful testimony of God's grace and provision, and a call to worship and prayer. I especially appreciated the chapters "Addiction - The Art of Loving" and "Dream a Little Dream for Me."

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book by a local artist. I learned a lot about working through adversity. I pray I serve my Lord as well.

[Jenee Rager · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my aunt who said it was guarenteed to make me cry. She said it was one of her favorite books. Unfortunately I did not have the same reaction to it at all. I think a large part of that is that it wasn't at all what I expected, nor was it a book that I would have chosen to read without her recommendation. I did find the sister's loss tragic, and was impressed with their way of dealing with said loss. However I found parts of the book, particularly those written by Heather to be preachy and "I'm better than you" which was off-putting. I didn't have the same reaction with Holly's portions of the book, and I wish she had written more of the story.

[Lauri Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

These girls grew up in my elementary school and later I had their younger brother and sister. Knowing that they were musical girls at a young age, I'm delighted to know they are using their talent for God's glory even now.

What a life these two have had!

So sweet.

[Lori]

I heard Holly Snell speak at a women's retreat this past weekend. She talked about this book and it was an amazing story. I can't wait to read it.