It Is Well With My Soul

Roll Back The Clouds by Terri Wangard is a marvellous Christian historical epic surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915 off the coast of Ireland. Terri Wangard has taken the facts and woven a powerful tale around them.

The hand of God is visible throughout the novel, even though at times, His presence is questioned. “Where was God?… God was right there with the passengers and crew.” God never leaves us. If we do not feel Him, the fault is ours. “You’re never alone. God hears you before you call.” God knows the desires of our hearts and our prayers.

The novel shows the importance of church. We need to find a church that functions as Jesus intended. A church where relationships are built vertically (with God) and horizontally (with each other). The church was never meant to be a social club but a place where we get to discover the heart of God, and to care for each other.

Following the sinking, we see the effects on the characters in the form of nightmares and PTSD, as people are haunted by events experienced.

War is futile. Each side blames the others. All nations lose loved ones, and not just soldiers but the innocents. “If the men in London and Berlin could see this, maybe they would think again about their foolish war. The dead aren’t soldiers, but lots of women and children.”

Tragedy has a way of focusing the mind on what is really important. When life is going well, we often ignore God. “I wouldn’t be surprised if He’s (God) a little too busy for me.” God is never too busy for us. He longs to hear from each and every one of us.

Terri Wangard has produced another excellent epic novel showing the horrors of war on civilians, and the faithfulness of God through it all. I love all Terri Wangard’s novels, they educate whilst entertaining.

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

JULIA WILSON