This novella takes you on a journey with two women who are facing some very tough challenges, allowing you to experience their emotional and spiritual growth. This is a great story and a thought-provoking read. I really enjoyed it! ( )

Isobel's Mission of Courage, by Susan K. Beatty, is a novella that follows a young mom through her cancer journey. This is such a good book, one that I feel would help anyone who knows someone going through cancer treatments. Isobel is undergoing treatments that affect her energy and how she is feeling physically. On her good days, and some of her bad, she feels the need to be helping others. She is given the chance to help a homeless girl, Noolie, while letting Noolie help her and her family. Only God could make this arrangement for the two ladies who need each other more than they know.

This is such a good story, I read it in one sitting. I was not expecting Noolie's story to be what it was. Many times as I was reading, I felt I was reading a true story, it is so realistic.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit, this is my honest review. ( )

Packed in this short book is a powerful message that we all need to be reminded of. Are we doing what God has called us to do? Have we made an idol of our ministry? I loved how the author used a character that was so determined to help people that it became all about her without guidance from God. We can get so wrapped up in helping others or serving in a ministry that we forget to allow God to direct our path.
Isobel is a person I could see as a friend. She was going through chemo yet wanted to still serve the Lord. When she helps Noolie it becomes her mission to save her. I liked how Noolie humbled herself and allowed Isobel to take her in. It wasn’t easy for either woman to accept help which lead to pride.
The story is a timely message to remind us to pray before we step out and to keep ourselves grounded in his Word. I loved this quote from the story, “Besides if we’re not asking for help, are we really working alongside God? Or are we working on our own?
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

The second novelette in the upcoming Faces of Courage series, “Isobel’s Mission of Courage” by Susan Beatty can be read as a standalone, although I would encourage readers to also pick up “House of Courage” to avoid missing out on more wonderful characters and faith lessons. While I am usually not a big fan of works that are not novel-length, I enjoyed the first novelette and am now impressed by “Isobel’s Mission of Courage.” Beatty has condensed her story into fewer than 100 pages without the narrative feeling rushed or incomplete. All things considered, it seems realistic, as well—neither too idealistic nor overwhelmingly melancholy.

Deeply insightful, “Isobel’s Mission of Courage” turns to a different source of courage than one would probably expect: that of recognizing how we as Christians may be erecting idols and using our God-given gifts as trophies and perhaps even currency toward trying to earn the salvation that is already paid in full by Jesus’ death on the cross. To bridge the gap in our understanding, this spiritually-aware courage is placed alongside the more easily-recognized bravery of fighting breast cancer and the side effects of treatment. I love how this is done because it illustrates that we can truly “Fear not” when we stop trying to do things for God as a means to build ourselves up and instead start doing things with God to glorify His name. As Todd tells Isobel, “It’s easy to remember to ask for help when we feel weak. But when we feel strong, we tend to forget we need as much help if not more. Besides if we’re not asking for help, are we really working alongside God? Or are we working on our own?”

This is a story that will pull you in and, ultimately, convict you, which is what we all need right now in this strange year. The Lord doesn’t call us to prove ourselves; He calls us to love each other.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )