The Stranger in the Lifeboat

The Stranger in the Lifeboat is a novel by Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie fame) about what you would do if God did show up when you asked.

The book is told from two points-of-view: one is a man named Benji who is narrating the tale of those in the lifeboat from his journal and the other is from the inspector who is investigating the lifeboat when it washes onto shore at Montserrat. In the lifeboat, a man claims to be God and if they would all believe in him, they would be saved.

Of course, most do not believe he is God, even when he brings an unconscious woman back to consciousness and he makes it rain when they desperately need fresh water.

The book is full of nuggets of wisdom, such as God saying that worry is nothing but something created by humans when they lack faith. And, all prayers are answered, but sometimes the answer is ‘no.’

God perpetually tells them “I am the Lord, and I will never leave you.”

Instead of asking, “Why did God take your loved one?” ask instead “Why did God give them to us? What did we do to deserve their love, joy, and the sweet moments you shared?” Loss let’s us appreciate human existence.

Benji realizes in believing, he is saved as God promises.

Great book. Fast read. The end has some great plot twists that you won’t see coming, and the book will most definitely have you thinking of life and death in a different way, as well as the meaning of life itself. It will have you asking yourself what you would do if God showed up in your life. Would you believe?

Highly recommended. My daughter is reading it now, but she’s a teenager. It deals with life and death, so if your child is comfortable with that subject, they would enjoy the book, too. I would say teenager and up, though.

Will make a great Christmas gift/stocking stuffer. Order from Amazon here today.

 

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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