thechristiancompass.com

Joshua, Mighty Warrior Called Home

by Janice K. Smith

Paperback, 175 pp.

Hope’s Promise Press, Danville, IL 2007

ISBN 978-0-9796748-0-8

Review by Linda Emmons for TCC  www.thechristiancompass.com

Joshua is one of seven children born to Janice and Gary Smith, and more than anything, this book is a tribute to the love of God as seen through Joshua Smith’s battle with cancer. Joshua lived and died well, at the age of 10. This is his story. Janice Smith resists any temptation to take over for Joshua, nor does she sermonize, romanticize or other-wize gloss over what happened with her family. Rather, she relates events from the unique vantage point as mother, sprinkled with compelling conversations and interactions between Joshua and family members and friends.

As a writer, Smith handles high voltage emotions, and organizes difficult material in an interesting way. We are given enough detail to feel part of their large, happy family throughout the diagnosis and eventual death of a young son.

Smith said that her main purpose in writing this book was to help other grieving parents, offering them comfort and hope. The basis for that comfort and hope is a relationship with Jesus the Messiah, as revealed in The Holy Bible. Smith’s book is touching and rewards the reader through the witness of such a young warrior, battling to stand strong in Jesus under very grownup and potentially terrifying, spirit-draining experiences. At one point, Joshua tells a relative he is afraid to die, but only because he isn’t sure his family can handle it. The title, Joshua, Mighty Warrior Called Home, is drawn from an anointed poem written for Joshua by Danny Roberts, presented on page 12 of Smith’s book.

Even Christian families, who are confident that children go to a place of complete joy, don’t dance through such an experience. But this novel isn’t so much about the deep pain and grief of others, but rather focuses on the faith Joshua manages to grow into. I recommend this book for anyone part of a family with a deceased child, Christian or not. I must warn you, though, I couldn’t read this book casually. As one who suffered through the loss of a child, I found myself crying cathartic tears from the dedication page on. It was a pleasure to meet Joshua in the pages of his book, and I hope he plays together with my daughter in heaven till it’s time for us all to meet together again.

Order this book on-line at www.hopespromisepress.com

Tags: Uncategorized //