A Beautiful Mess by Brenda Anderson

Dancing In The Rain

A Beautiful Mess by Brenda Anderson is a powerful contemporary novel that focuses on love and forgiveness. It is part of the Mosaic Collection but can be read as a stand-alone.

Brenda Anderson has created a marvellous mix of characters once again. They are realistically flawed, battling with issues that the reader can empathise with.

Forgiveness is a major theme. We all need to dispense and receive forgiveness. It is something that we all struggle with. When people wrong us we need to look to the example of Jesus. “Jesus loved him [Judas] regardless of that betrayal.” Betrayal hurts. We cannot stop it happening but we can choose our responses. “I’ve decided I can’t wallow in it. I can’t be bitter.”

Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Balancing a teen and a toddler can be stressful. Brenda Anderson has produced a realistic portrayal of the pressures mums are under.

When life is hard, it is vital to fix our eyes on Jesus. When our focus is on our problems, life overwhelms us. When our focus is on Jesus, our perspective alters and we receive a peace that passes understanding. “I’ll pray… because God sees from a different perspective.” God sees the bigger picture. He knows our end from our beginning.

Within the story, art is important. The reader is reminded that God is the Master Painter, painting our lives and revealing the beauty that may be hidden deep within.

As life intervenes, sometimes we lose sight of God. He longs and waits for us to return to Him. “He finally stopped running from God.” The reader is reminded of the father in the prodigal son, when we move towards God, God picks up His robes and runs towards us, and there is a glorious party in heaven as we return to the fold.

A Beautiful Mess has the difficult subjects of multiple miscarriage and betrayal of marriage vows. Brenda Anderson sensitively and realistically portrays the hurt. Life is not always kind but God is always faithful.

A Beautiful Mess is a powerful, realistic read about the love and faithfulness of God to repair and restore the pieces of our broken lives. I loved it. I always adore all of Brenda Anderson’s novels.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON

2 thoughts on “A Beautiful Mess by Brenda Anderson

  1. Julia, your reviews always astound me. You have a way of delving into the depths of books that I often don’t realize is there.

    Thank you for your gracious review and all your support over the years!

    God bless!

    • Thank you for your kind words, Brenda 🙂 I adore all your books and it is my pleasure to read and review for you. Lots of love. XXX

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