Gone In A Heartbeat Book Review

I have spent the last two days reading the book 'Gone In a Heartbeat'. The book was lent to me, and I knew it was going to be interesting and touch my heart. From the moment I opened the cover I've been engrossed. This family is so beautiful. I feel like I know them. I understand what it is to have four beautiful daughters. I can't imagine losing any of my daughters, let alone two in one day.

The book is the true story of the Works family. One December morning they were leaving church when a gunman started shooting. Rachel and Stephanie Works were killed. David Works, the girls' father, was shot and in critical condition.

This is a very honest book. Mr. and Mrs. Works talk openly about struggles in their lives, from not feeling like successful homeschool parents to the challenges of supporting a larger family to being a Christian family while living in a not-so-ideal environment.

They really let you into their world by the way they share their lives. Two of their precious daughters were killed. The overwhelming grief of this family is apparent, but the capacity this family had for love and forgiveness is truly inspiring and amazing.

It was only a matter of weeks when the Works family met with the family of the gunman. They chose to obey God and forgive. They chose to honor their daughters' lives by not harboring anger and bitterness.

I have a large family. I have four daughters plus a step-daughter. We've faced difficult circumstances in our lives. There have been instances, even since becoming a Christian, where forgiveness was not the first thing on my mind. I've dealt with the bitterness and anger that comes when your child has been hurt and you can't control the situation.

When I read this book, I am humbled. Even though there have been situations and circumstances in my life that have brought me to my knees, I have not yet had to face the death of one of my beautiful daughters. They are all alive.

To see how this family endured tragedy and kept their faith has taught me much. Yet, they never took any credit for themselves. They always gave credit to God.

This is a wonderful book loaded with lessons.