“I know this must seem completely reasonable from the outside
looking in, but so many pastors’ kids get lost in the shadow of the church.”
Sarah Jakes shares her frustration with not being able to find
herself, or a place within her father’s church ministry. From a young age, she was
concerned how other people always asked about her father, T.D. Jakes, and no one
asked about her well-being. She felt no one was interested in her, Sarah, as a
person.
Sarah further shares growing up as a child, her feelings toward
her siblings, and the embarrassment of being pregnant at age thirteen. Being
unable to find the right ministry to connect with had only compounded her
troubles.
Even though Sarah became pregnant at age thirteen, she
explains the reasoning behind not revealing the biological father. She felt
that since he was a teenager also, he should have the opportunity to live a
normal teenage life. Sarah did not want him to go through the same ridicule
from others as she did.
As Sarah tells her story, it is more of an insight into her
marriage. Dealing with a man who whose continuous infidelity, before and after
marriage, eventually shattered their relationship. Sarah gives her reason for
holding on as the need to have someone to care about her. What Sarah did not
realize was her parents did care about whatever she went through, and were
there to lend a helping hand.
Sarah Jakes’ journey through testimony is nothing new or earth
shaking to speak on. It is a close-up look into a personal struggle with
self-esteem, needing love as an individual, and not standing in the shadow of
her famous father. I found it a little tame, coming from someone who
experienced motherhood at such a young age. No discussion was presented on the
particular events leading to her promiscuity. I was not looking for a
play-by-play intimate act, but more detailed interactions of her relationship
with the father. It seems she is still looking for sympathy for her actions. This
would have been an excellent opportunity to reach teenage girls dealing with
the same situations. Overall, the book was an easy read, yet leaving some unanswered
questions. I recommend this novel to Christian
readers.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers
through the Bethany House Reviewers program for an honest and unbiased review.
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