This book by pastor Kerry Shook and his wife Chris tells the story of their little grandson who only lived for one day after his birth due to severe medical complications. The heart-wrenching situation led to a lot of spiritual lessons that were learned, and they now pass on those truths learned in pain to others who are also suffering and questioning where God may be in the middle of aftermath of tragedy.

While never downplaying the reality of suffering in life, the Shooks share their honest pain and questions for God, but also provide hope and encouragement as they found that God is good and faithful -- but He has only promised us strength and grace for each new day. But each new day also brings the hope of receiving more love and grace from God. This book would be helpful for anyone who is in the midst of trials, or struggling with doubts about God and His place in our lives. Highly recommended!

A wonderful reminder of Gods presence. In today’s world with all of the uncertainty of this world it is  still good to be reminded that Christ is the same always.

Tears rolled down my face while I read this book for Kerry and Chris Shook, whose grandson only lived for one day as well as  their son, Josh and daughter-in-law Kelli.  Kelli  went through experimental procedures even though they  only offered  a little hope. That hope kept them going until the unimaginable came to pass. The child who cried at birth, didn’t make it. 

I don’t know how many of us could find any  good in circumstances like this. I know I would have been devastated. But the Shook family tells this story in such a way that although I shared their pain with them, I also came from the book truly inspired in a way that doesn’t always happen. For along the way came moments of comfort and grace from strangers, and the  ability to better emphasize  with others in pain. 

I appreciated the many suggestions about being there for others and looking for ways to help. Most of all I appreciate the message that shines through this book that God loves us and He is with us, always.

The Gift of One Day is an inspirational Christian spiritual growth book by authors Kerry & Chris Shook.

Kerry & Chris are the grandparents of Jude Samuel Shook. Jude Shook is an inspiration for many people even though he only lived one day. The purpose of this book is to give hope to others. Their grandson taught Mr. & Mrs. Shook how to live their life.

There are fourteen lessons outlined in the book to persuade the reader to live an intentional life. At the end of each lesson are suggestions to ponder. This is a short book with a powerful message on living. I recommend it to Believers, Seekers, and anyone who has lost a child or grandchild.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Earc from netgalley

This book was great, I liked getting to read the chapters, and some of them impacted me, too, which made it worth my time for sure.

My heart goes out to the family; it truly does. Emotionally personal accounts are always so difficult to try to write reviews for in ways that don't come across as somehow invalidating someone else's life story and experience.

With this in mind, let's focus on the writing itself here and separate the emotion. Let's rate this according to readability for the audience and what it was like as a *book*.

I wasn't a fan of this book. There. It had to be said.

I felt it was overwritten and an odd choice topic to expand into a novel. I feel this was written as more of an emotional release for the grandparents over anything else and yes I realize that makes me sound callous. I simply believe this would have been a better story had we heard from the MOTHER!!!

I understand that this was the parents of the son and she was the daughter-in-law, however she was the one who really had her heart, mind, and emotions affected most. She was literally the one in surgery and they are making it all about them and how they feel and it felt so...just...WRONG. I think Kerry and Chris as the grandparents weren't good narrative voices. We heard some of the thoughts of Josh, the father, through quotes...yet I wonder how tainted these quotes were as his parents were the ones quoting. I somehow doubt things were that eloquently spoken in such an emotionally fraught time. I find that very hard to believe.

I appreciated the bible correlations and questions to provoke thought at the beginning and end of each chapter...but the readability of this was super low. It was hard to get through because it wasn't written in a way that really drew and kept the reader going. I found myself skimming it as I wasn't interested in it anymore. I was waiting to see if the mother wrote a chapter or paragraph or anything...no.

I get it, it was a hard time for the family. I get it, everyone grieves differently. I get it, not everyone has to deal with something like this and it affects more than the woman carrying the baby. Yet, why did she get so shut out of the conversation here? Why?!?!

We didn't have to have an entire book about the topic when this would literally have gotten the same message across as a sermon aside tie in!

I'm trying very hard not to judge the family experience here and I like Woodlands Church which is why I requested this in the first place.

This is actually the worst read of the year so far for me because I feel like they missed such a valuable, vital, and necessary component by not having this written from the point of view of the Mother!!! I am actually getting more and more upset about this the more I sit and ponder this work.

I don't recommend this one at all. 

Skip it. You'll get the same "insight" by watching the Woodlands Church online sermons...and I don't think I will even be doing that anymore I am that livid about this lack of respect for the Mom. My heart goes out to *her* having to deal with this essentially alone since her in-laws refuse to look beyond their own pain and the pain of their son. God truly help her.