I would never have picked up a Barbara Johnson book on my own. Just the look of Stick a Geranium in Your Hat made me turn the other way. The old saying ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ was true in this case. I had pre-judged something I had never read.  A friend loaned me a three- in- one copy with these titles included:

Mama, Get the Hammer! There’s a Fly on Papa’s Head!

Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life

Pack Up Your Gloomees in a Great Big Box, Then Sit on the Lid and Laugh!

I would like to share a small amount of what I have read so far.

I have just finished Mama, Get the Hammer!

My friend loaned this book to me as an encouragement as we have had many sorrows over the last few years. I am thankful that she wanted to bless me. I wouldn’t have picked up this book because it looked trite to me. It looked as though it was okay to make fun of the hard things in life, as though it was okay to laugh in spite of your problems. Well, I guess the book is saying this to some extent, so if this is not your cup of tea then you will want to skip those parts. But it also has many stories of other families who are suffering illnesses, children’s rebellion, the death of a loved one and many other heartbreaking tales. The cover may appear trite, but the pages are full of support for people in despair.

The thing I found encouraging, was that I am not alone in my suffering, other people have been there, still are there, and they know the pain of a child’s waywardness or death.

The first day I started to read we had someone over to teach the girls french and singing. I usually sit in another room to watch the young lady’s baby and my own small children. I started the book but I had to put it down or I would have spent the rest of the afternoon in tears, something I didn’t want to do in front of company. I read the book later and alone.

The first book mostly aims at helping a sufferer to be thankful that the many thorns in life come with roses attached. If you are at the stage where you are able to read this, then I think the book will be a help to you.

I found the jokes wore thin at times, so this book may not be for everyone. But, if you have no support during your trial this book will help you know that you are not alone.  A lot of the material will bless and encourage you. If you feel as though your prayers are not being answered as quickly as you would like, this book will encourage you to keep praying and trusting God.  He is in control of everything in your life.

This book was another lesson to me about pre-judging others. I am so thankful my friend could see what blessings this book held within. I have started Splashes of Joy, so when I have finished that section I will write some more.

Love

Amanda

http://www.griefandgrace.net/

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Posted by naturalpaths

I've read a couple of her books in the past, but can't recall the exact titles right now. A church we attended a few years ago had several of her books in their library and that's where I discovered them. One thing I remember reading in one of her books has stayed stuck in my mind.......

Blessed are the children whose memories are filled with the familiar sound of their mother's laughter entwined with their own.

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