Book Recommendation - Total Abandon

I just finished reading a book that I knew from the onset I would be posting a recommendation for on this site.

Total Abandon by Gary Witherall is a true story of life lived in radical devotion to God.

It is a love story between a man and God, between a woman and God, and then between each other because God brought them together to love each other and to serve him together.

God leads them to Lebanon as missionaries where they serve eagerly and share the gospel with the Muslim world until Bonnie's untimely death at the hands of terrorists. Gary chronicles their individual stories that eventually bring them together, their marriage and the decisions they make for God together, and then the reality of Bonnie's death. He shares his loss and grief with us and his struggle to remain faithful to God despite all his loss. He demonstrates forgiveness and a willingness to live again.

I cried throughout the book not just because of the deep sadness that comes as a result of Bonnie's death but also because of the love and appreciation that they had for each other. A love that was rooted in their belief that they were each a gift to the other for this journey in life. God had provided a partner for them to hold, support, and encourage as they lived out the mission God had set before them. I was awed by the love they had for God and how that translated into love for each other.

I really recommend this book. It is an easy read but more importantly it is inspiring! It's published by Tyndale House Publishing, Inc. in Wheaton, IL.