Book review: The Shepherd's Song: A Story of Second Chances

Shortly before suffering a tragic car accident, Kate McConnell wrote the simple but powerful words of Psalm 23 on a piece of paper to give to her wayward and confused son. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ... As she loses consciousness from her injuries, she wonders if she’s done enough with her life.

When a lonely dry-cleaning employee finds Kate’s humble, handwritten copy of the psalm, it begins an incredible journey around the world, forever changing the lives of twelve very different people. From a soldier wounded in Iraq, to a young Kurdish girl fleeing with her family to Turkey, to a Kenyan runner about to begin the Rome Invitational Marathon, the power of the ancient words begins to take shape in various ways, drawing us into these stories inexplicably linked by the passing of the psalm from one recipient to the next.

Eventually, Kate’s paper makes it back to its starting place, and she discovers the unexpected ways that God moves and changes lives through even our smallest actions. 

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Review 

This is such an anointing book. The Christ-like truths so delicately woven into the very fabric of the plotline that I couldn’t stop reading.
The book begins with Kate McDonnell, that wonders if her life has meaning. To her, the minor acts of kindness she sowed in her community were not enough to catch the Father’s heart. Her husband was always busy and her son want nothing to do with her or her convictions. When she ends up in hospital, fighting for her life, we are swept away again.

The forgotten paper lands in the hands of a young man longing for direction. From America, to England, to Italy, then China back to America, we are swept away as each person comes to wonderous truths. The small, almost insignificant actions touched each person by divine intervention.

Each chapter is a short story, with a beginning when they receive the paper with the written psalm. To the middle, where decision must be made, right to the end: when peace takes over. Each line within this scripture touching them uniquely and you are pulled into the very centre of this psalm. The Lord is my Shepherd.

The book’s ending was something I didn’t expect but so fitting in its conclusion.

The thoughts, the prayers, the planning—everything becomes a tangible feeling of satisfaction. That our cups over flows and our heads are anointed with oil.

This story is uniquely written with a definite message for every person.

Thank you for this gift and anointed message. May the words from your pen continue to flow and God's grace be with you. 

About the authors

About Betsy Duffey

Betsy Duffey grew up with a love of reading and writing. Her earliest experience with writing came from reading manuscripts by her mother author and Newbery winner, Betsy Byars.

Betsy began writing in 1990 and has published over twenty children’s books, including a number of popular series. Her books have been Junior Library Guild selections, Crown Award nominees, and have been nominated for state awards in over twenty states including the California Young Reader Medal, the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Florida Sunshine State Young Reader Award. Betsy’s books have been translated into Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Danish, and included in numerous book clubs.

Her latest books are devotional books for adults. She began writing short meditations for friends who were challenged in different ways. More Peace started for a friend undergoing chemotherapy. More Hope for a young friend dealing with infertility. The series continues to grow.

Betsy and her husband Bill split their time between Atlanta and the Georgia mountains. When she is not writing you can probably find her outside hiking in the woods, enjoying time with grandkids or on the porch in a rocking chair with a good book.

About Laurie Myers

Laurie Myers is the award-winning author of chapter books for children, including Surviving Brick Johnson, an ALA Notable book, and Lewis and Clark and Me, winner of the Pennsylvania Children's book award and Honor book for Michigan. Her books have been on the International Reading Association's Children's Choice, Teachers' Choice and Parents' Choice lists, as well as Junior Library Guild selection and many state master lists and nominations for the Crown Award.

She has collaborated with her sister, Betsy Duffey and her mother Betsy Byars on several popular books, which have been nominated for many state awards and won the Oregon, Louisiana, and South Carolina children's book awards.

She lives in Augusta, Georgia with her husband, their dog, Samson and their cat, Venus.

www.lauriemyers.com

www.writingsisters.com