Weekend Writing: Reviewing Karen Kingsbury's "Rejoice"

"'People think prayers have to be perfectly spoken. This has never been true,' she said. 'Simply open your heart. The words will follow.'" - Karen Kingsbury, "Rejoice" 

It has happened again: I finished Return in the Baxter Family series, and I'm confident that nothing can top that book. But then I started the fourth book in the series, Rejoice, and I was quickly mistaken. I fell in love with that book, too. I'm pretty sure this just means that Karen Kingsbury is a phenomenal writer and she definitely knows how to tug at your heartstrings.

It's a continuous cycle--falling in love with books and characters who don't know I exist. I fall in love with the plot, how the characters adapt to the challenges, and the beautiful writing.

The "Redemption" series (photo/Kalyn Brooke).

Kingsbury's Rejoice is no different. In fact, I couldn't put this book down. If you have been following my blog, then you should know about the Baxter Family series. The Baxters are a close-knit family in Bloomington, Indiana, and they are committed to their faith. But that doesn't mean they don't have their trials. They struggle in their faith and have many complications.

Including the very traumatic one in Rejoice. 

Karen Kingsbury's "Rejoice"
 (photo/Karen Kingsbury).

The fourth book in the "Redemption" series focuses on the oldest daughter in the family, Brooke. She's already struggling in her marriage to Peter West when they're faced with the worst accident ever: their three-year-old daughter, Hayley, nearly drowns at a pool party. Hayley now fights for her life and the Baxters draw together in ways they have never had before.

Everyone is affected by this tragedy, but no one is more impacted than Hayley's parents: Brooke, who feels guilty about not being at the party at the time of the accident; and, Peter, who was too busy watching a baseball game on television to notice that his daughter went outside to the pool without a lifejacket on.

Peter is so devasted by the accident that he distances himself from Brooke and their older daughter, Maddie. He finds other ways to cope with the pain: taking illegal drugs. He quickly becomes addicted to the pills and his decisions send him spiraling into a deep, dark abyss. It seems like there's no way out for Peter, but is there?

But, finally, is there a reason to rejoice? After all, Hayley's alive. She didn't drown to death. She's alive, but she's not herself. She can't communicate. Doctors thought she had gone blind. She can't walk. Instead of behaving like a three-year-old should, she's at the learning stage of a one-year-old toddler.

But, she's alive. That's a reason to rejoice, right?

(photo/Ridge Light Ranch)

The fourth book of the "Redemption" series focuses on what it means to rejoice in God's good grace. Kingsbury does this by including other members of the Baxter family. Luke Baxter (who was featured in Return) marries the love of his life, Reagan. This wedding gives the Baxters a reason to smile again. In addition, Ashley Baxter (who was featured in Remember) is finally willing to open her heart to Landon Blake--agreeing to marry him in spite of a medical condition (HIV) that will affect their future.

But throughout the book, Kingsbury's message is in the minds of these characters: there is always a reason to rejoice. Even in pain, find a way to rejoice. Kingsbury quotes Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Find ways to rejoice, even during tragedies.

Karen Kingsbury (photo/LifeWay)

That's what Brooke and Peter have to learn, and they do...Eventually. Slowly. But they finally get there and learn to love again...and rejoice.

Kingsbury delivers another powerful novel about imperfect Christians. Peter struggles with his guilt, and he turns to illegal methods to cope with the pain. But is he forgiven by God? Yes, he is saved. John Baxter, the patriarch of the Baxter family, even struggles with Hayley's tragedy--asking God to take her if she wouldn't be the same Hayley they loved. He quickly regrets his prayer and lives with the guilt of his own thoughts.

People aren't perfect, even the most loyal and faithful Christians. And that's what I love about Kingsbury's novels. While they're filled with religious belief, no one is absolutely perfect. The characters fail and question their beliefs--just like people do in real life.

Keep the good literature coming, Karen Kingsbury. I'll be reading.

Read on.

-KJL-