The Longing in Me: How Everything You Crave Leads to the Heart of God

"We long to be seen.
We long to be chosen.
We long to be loved.
We long to know that we matter.

"When those longings are left unmet, what do we do?  Where do we go?" 

Shiela Walsh's new book, The Longing in Me, addresses that very question.  Walsh adeptly weaves her story around retelling the biblical account of King David and his triumphs and foibles.  The result is part autobiography, part Bible study, part self-help book.

Although I have had a far different life than the author, she tells the story of her childhood so very well that I can identify with her.  One thing I appreciate is that she is honest about the failings of the people in her life without villainising them.  She gives enough of an idea that her marriage ended for 'biblical' reasons without going into the salacious details, and so on.  I think it's an honest book but one you won't feel the need to put down while reading it because it tells you too much.

I read most of this book in the hospital as I'm recovering from surgery after they closed up a hernia the size of a tennis ball and popped mesh in.  Know what my deep longing is?  To get better and to not feel pain.  It's hard for me not to focus on how unfair it is that I've lost another summer to pain (my fifth major abdominal surgery!  bah) and thinking about how everyone else has life easy.  It's not true, but you know how things are when you're feeling sorry for yourself.  The Longing in Me got me away from the present moment for just a little bit and helped me think about some deeper issues.  I'd recommend it especially for older women who have had hurts or betrayals in their lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”