Sheridan Voysey has written a very open and honest book about the anguish experienced by him and his wife Merryn as they struggled with infertility, and as they began to take positive steps into the future, hopeful that God would give them a period of some emotional and spiritual healing - a resurrection year. Sheridan's account of their emotional turmoil, and of the spiritual confusion which resulted, is one with which anyone who has experienced suffering - or the long and drawn out death of a cherished dream - can identify. The questions Sheridan and Merryn found themselves asking are the same questions with which suffering believers in God have repeatedly grappled over the centuries. And, as so many others have found, their trust in God has ultimately deepened as a result. Sheridan makes a comment that it is not doubt that is the opposite of faith, but indifference: those who doubt are still grappling with the questions, whereas indifference doesn't bother. This is a couple who, like Jacob, have held on to God until they have experienced some blessing, even if they still don't fully understand the mysteries of how God works (and who does?). They have experienced the truth of what Paul famously says in Romans 8:28 - that when 'God works everything together for the good of those who love him', the good that is in view is explained in the next sentence: it is 'to be conformed to the image of his Son'. Sheridan Voysey is a great communicator, and his writing is fresh, vibrant and engaging. Resurrection Year is an absolute pleasure to read, for its honesty, for its life-affirming, God-oriented hope, and for his vivid, frequently witty descriptions of various stages and events in their life together. If you like a straight-through, beginning-to-end narrative, you may hesitate a little at first as Sheridan interweaves earlier events and journal entries with more recent ones. But the narrative arc of the death of their dream through to the joy of finding themselves with a fresh, unexpected one, is profoundly compelling and inspiring. Couples who have experienced infertility will particularly connect with Sheridan and Merryn's particular struggle, but anyone who has found themselves at a loss to know what God is doing, or even whether he cares, will find that much to identify with - and be deeply encouraged by.

I love to read, and have read many books. Few times have I ever read a book as vulnerably honest as this one, whilst being beautifully written. I cried and I laughed...and I marvelled at the strength of this couple. I've been a Christian for 15 years (on Thursday) and have experienced my share of broken dreams...somewhere along the way in reading this book, and hope and healing sprung in a weary heart. Sheridan has managed to fulfil a very tall order - to tell their story in a compelling, powerfully honest way that I have no doubt will bring healing to hurting couples who struggle with infertility, whilst somehow making it accessible to anyone who has had a broken dream - and lets be honest most of us can identify with that. Sheridan and Merryn, thank you for being so very brave and sharing your story so vulnerably. Thank you for inviting us into your lives and hearts and sharing your pain, your joys...your realness. Sheridan, you have stewarded your gift well, and I can't wait to hear the stories of hope and healing that will come out of it. And....lastly, if you are thinking about buying the book...DO! You won't be sorry. In fact pick up a couple of books, I can guarantee you will know at least two people you will want to give the book to after reading the story. Now...I think I have a resurrection year to go and plan. It needs to be fun. It needs to be risky. I think I have a few ideas, but it won't have a Rupette in it, I'll leave that to the Voysey's!