This beautiful hardcover book, written especially as encouragement for those who care for ill loved ones, covers the well-known Psalm 23. With each section of the Psalm, empathetic and inspiring stories, quotes and scriptures are a gift of hope to the reader. The author shares her own journey through her husband's debilitating disease, through the painful decisions she made as the disease progressed, with honesty and stark faith. Then, she gathers together other caregivers’ stories of courageous, comforting blessings, balm for the journey, sharing what it is like walking through the valley of the shadow with a loved one.

The main theme of this book for caregivers everywhere is that they are not alone. Fifteen chapters cover real-life stories, accompanied by verses from beloved hymns. Some of the stories are entertaining, but all of them are inspiring and bring anyone who reads them closer to the heart of God.

I don't know what I like best about this book. The pages are beautifully designed with small, framed pastoral scenes, quotes and verses. You would be tempted to frame some of these and hang them on your wall, if you could. Then, the title pages of the chapters have inspiring words and quoted hymn verses. I love some of the quotes, which would be wonderful to put on a post-it note and place around the house for encouragements, such as “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror, I can take the next thing that comes along.’ ” ?Eleanor Roosevelt.
 
There are also inspiring or challenging verses such as, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. While this makes a wonderful gift for someone you know who is caring and providing for someone in illness, with smiles and joy tucked lovingly into the pages, it also speaks to those who know the caregivers. Give it when you want to have something tangible as you say, “I'm praying for you both.” The author also has a web page to help those who often endlessly labor, day in and day out. It's a good place to check out for ideas of things to offer for the caregiver who sometimes feels deserted and alone. —Crystal Miller, Reviewer for Wordsmith Shoppe