Grace In the Middle: An Imperfect Journey to God's Perfect Plan

by Wendy Duke

Overview

"You are beautiful, little girl of mine," Wendy Duke whispered over her newborn daughter. It was a still moment amidst the turmoil of birth defects and a life-threatening illness. Grace in the Middle is a memoir recounting one young couple's struggle to hold on to an unraveling faith during the greatest crisis of their lives. Heartbreaking, triumphant, and funny in just the right places, this inspiring story is an authentic reflection on battling and overcoming physical illness and disability, resisting the dark doubts that plague us in the midst of tragedy, and trusting the faithfulness of God through the deep twists and turns of life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620205297
Publisher:	Emerald House Group, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/24/2015
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Wendy Duke lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. She works with her husband in international sports development, using their backgrounds in coaching and telling their story throughout the world. When she's not traveling, she is a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger, sports junkie, and middle school chauffeur. Grace in the Middle is Wendy's first book. She writes on her blog at www.wendyduke.net.

Table of Contents

Preface 11

Chapter 1 Baby 15

Chapter 2 Bearing Bad News 33

Chapter 3 Preparing For Battle 43

Chapter 4 When the Earth Gives Way 63

Chapter 5 Through the Fire 71

Chapter 6 Shade Trees 81

Chapter 7 The First Wave 99

Chapter 8 Sunshine on Our Faces 111

Chapter 9 The Back Side of the Storm 115

Chapter 10 Just One Step 125

Chapter 11 While We Wait 135

Chapter 12 On the Water 149

Chapter 13 Keep Moving 167

Chapter 14 Through Savannah's Eyes 181

Acknowledgements 189

About The Author 191

What People are Saying About This

Rachel Lee Carter

Grace in the Middle has just ranked as one of my all-time favorite books--EVER. You will laugh out loud and cry empathetic tears. But there's a story within the story that every believer must tackle for the sake of their own faith; Surrender. “I want to know Him in the power of His resurrection, and in the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil 3:10). The Holy Spirit will minister to you through Wendy's “fellowship of His sufferings,” and if you're willing . . . it will change your life! —Rachel Lee Carter, Author of Fashioned by Faith (Thomas Nelson, 2011), Founder of Modeling Christ Ministries

Darrell Cothran

This book touched me deeply. I sat down one night thinking I would just read a few chapters, but I couldn't put it down and finished in one sitting. Throughout the story I found God speaking to me in so many areas that challenged me to examine my relationship with my entire family and most importantly, with Him. The story is an honest look at heartbreak and joy at the same time. It's okay to say “life is hard.” Sometimes life doesn't make sense, but Wendy's mad writing skills bring things into perspective. Sometimes men will see a book by a female author and think it's a chick book. This book is for everyone! —Darrell Cothran, Minister of Media, First Baptist North Spartanburg

Lisa Wingate

Honest, raw, and deeply compelling, Grace in the Middle is a book for anyone who's ever felt powerless, who's wondered, Where is God in all of this? Wendy Duke lays bare the road from heartbreak to hope, from spiritual numbness to powerful faith. In Savannah's strength, determination, and resilience, readers will find their own. —Lisa Wingate, National Bestselling Author of The Prayer Box, and The Sea Keeper's Daughters

Mickey Henderson

What a terrific reminder of God's grace and love and provision and steadfastness and . . . well, everything HE says in HIS word. Get this book by Wendy Duke, in fact, get it and get another to give to a friend! —Mickey Henderson, Pastor of Spiritual Development, Sunnyvale First Baptist Church, Sunnyvale, TX

Chimene Shipley Dupler

Grace in the Middle is a MUST-READ for all moms! Wendy Duke beautifully describes the hope that can be found in Jesus regardless of our personal circumstances. Every mom will be blessed to experience this journey filled with struggles leading to the profound mercy of God's sovereignty that is available to each one of us. Wendy is a skilled writer who uses her stones of remembrance of God's faithfulness to issue a tender call for full surrender to God. --Chimene Shipley Dupler, President/CEO of Passion4Moms www.passion4moms.org