Book Review: The Father's Kiss by Tracy Williamson
Dear Friends,
In today’s world, so many of us have not known, for one reason or another, what it means to have the love of an earthly father. When this is the case, it then makes it very difficult to relate to God as a loving Heavenly Father. Tracy addresses this in her book, “The Father’s Kiss - Living in the Reality of God's Love”.
Tracy knows from personal experience what it is like to be hurt by a Father and over the years God has been taking her on a journey to knowing she is his beloved daughter and teaching her to really know him as Father. She is passionate for everyone to experience the joy of knowing they are truly loved by God who longs to be a Father to them. Her heart is for God to draw us all into a deeper relationship with him as Father, and for all to receive comfort and healing from past hurts.
In her first two chapters, Tracy honestly and openly shares her testimony about a difficult time in her life when she realised God was pursuing her, even before she really knew anything him. I found both these chapters incredibly moving. It is her authenticity in her writing which helped me as a reader connect to what she has written. The fact that Tracy shares her struggles and past hurts will also help readers to connect with her. They will see she understands because she has been there too. Her book gives hope to the reader that they can move on from where they are, to the love and freedom found in Christ.
In her book, Tracy provides insight and teaching from Scripture as it relates to God’s love for each of us. I loved the way she opened up Scripture in such a way that there was often something new for me to grasp or think about. Her book is full of examples taken from the men and women of the Bible. She makes what she writes relevant by the inclusion of her own personal experiences and the experiences of others. These examples are so encouraging as they show that God knows, cares and loves each one of us. Scattered throughout her book are words of prophecy, these are encouraging and healing and it is clear they come from someone who is in tune with God and ready to share what God places on their heart. She may be physically deaf and partially sighted, but it is clear to me that this is no hindrance to her spiritual hearing and spiritual insight.
Tracy has included opportunities to take time out from reading to “pause and reflect” on what has just been read. I would encourage anyone who reads her book to take advantage of these and do just that – pause and reflect – as it is these moments which help us to engage with the book, rather than just read it. It is through engaging with the book in this way that we can process our thoughts and feelings and this will draw us into deeper intimacy with our Father.
I was on Tracy’s Facebook Book Launch Team and I know I’m not the only one who wants to read her book again, more slowly this time, in order to make the most of those “pause and reflect” moments.
My view (and I stress this is just my personal view) is that this is a book perhaps best read alone initially rather than in a group setting, just because it could raise something painful from the past which could make it difficult to share with others. I do want to be clear though, that if God does use this book to deal with something from our past, his purpose is not to bring us pain but to ultimately bring healing and restoration to our lives and our relationship with him.
I think it would work well if two friends chose to read it on their own and then come together to discuss what God is showing them, but it would need to be a friendship where there is mutual trust and love for one another.
I can also see it working well in a small group with an experienced group facilitator as people could discuss what has been read and have the opportunity to learn from each other and give support and encouragement to one another on the journey.
Tracy ends her book with:
“It’s my prayer that through some aspect of this book, whether a teaching point, a personal story, a prophecy, poem or reflection that your heart has also been opened to the Father’s deep affection for you and that you will keep on growing in his love. May it be the start of a life-long adventure, living closely with the God who loves you so much and discovering the joy of giving that love away to those around you.”
A final thought from me:
I grew up in a Christian home and knew what it was to have a father who loved me and my sister unconditionally. I never struggled with seeing God as a loving Father and didn’t come to this book with a negative view of God. What I did find as I read this book was a growing desire to know God more intimately, to go deeper in my relationship with him. It has ignited in me a desire for the same depth of relationship that Tracy obviously enjoys with God. To be so conscious of his presence with and around me. To hear his voice at any moment and in any way which he may choose to speak to me. And to speak his words of love to those who so need to know his love.
If you have never known God as your loving Father, if you struggle to believe it or if you want to draw closer to God your Father than this book is for you.
You can buy her book from various places, including Book Depository, Eden and Amazon. Date of release is Friday 7th September 2018.
Ways to connect with Tracy:
Facebook: Tracy Williamson Author
Website: www.mbm-ministries.org
Twitter:@TracyAuthor
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