SCENT OF WATER - Words of comfort in times of grief by penelope swithinbank

#PENELOPESWITHINBANK  #Bereavement  #Managinggrief #scentofwater

​MY REVIEW:

#Scentofwater is a must have book for numerous reasons too many to mention here. It is a handy gift to give one in bereavement when they are inconsolable, beyond our reach and there is no place for our words. The title, which from Job 14: 7-9 hints a lifeline .The writer describes her feelings of losing her mother comparable to the feelings in Psalm 94, where the psalmists asks WHY and WHERE is God? The illustrations make for a light refreshing and calm read for the eyes and mind. The contents highlight topics which allow for a quick browse and help the reader  to choose a relatable topic or verse on the spur of the moment as they go through  fear, depression, self-doubt, tiredness, feelings of being lifeless, being in denial and other extra ordinary emotions caused by grief. The book provides a daily connection to engage with departed loved ones and can be used as a weekly comfort to keep one’s memory from falling out of God’s love because there are appropriate examples  of scripture which  give hope and encouragement like: Do not be afraid for I am with you in Isaiah 43:5.

 Numerous apt quotes from the bible in connection to grief and loss are mentioned but I particularly liked the writer’s mention from John 11:35 - ‘Jesus burst into tears’ publicly and in anger, because of His grief for a loved one. This had enabled the writer to understand her grief without guilt. It had encouraged her gratitude to the Lord for His understanding of her anger, pain, hurt and loneliness. Penelope Swithinbank had invited Lord Jesus to weep with her!! The writer explains that feelings of depression shouldn’t make one think they are weak, less spiritual, or doubt one’s self in grief because one is being human.  The writer mentions that God understood her grief even when others didn’t and that comforted her when she kept away from community, family and other commitments. For her, it is God’s way of giving one time to recover, rest, refresh and recoup. The writer thanked God for the relief the rest had brought to her. For other kinds of losses such as work, home, defilation, the writer reminds readers of El Roi –‘ the God who sees me’ through the incidence of Hagar who achieved deliverance from death when she cried to God as El Roi!

How does the writer explain those times one calls out to God and He seems far away and doesn’t hear? There are many scriptures given but readers will find this  great quote given in Psalms 22:1 -  ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’ This reminded me of Lord Jesus on the cross saying those same words and achieving victory in the end!! He came out of death alive, powerful and restored. The writer throughout this book gives us hope that this day of victory and strength will come to us after grief. There are loads of the writer’s thoughts shared on the destination of our loved ones which you will find comforting.
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 The writer gives revelations about the love and mercy of God that comfort our troubled thoughts for loved ones who did not acknowledge Lord Jesus before they died. I leave you readers to discover the numerous advantages and benefits too many to mention here. One gold nugget I will finally share from the book is Psalm 23, which the writer recommends as a gentle pastoral aid for grief. Verse by verse, the writer shows how assurance, protection, care and love are bestowed on the bereaved.

This book of 192 pages is highly recommended and worth its 5 stars!!