Scent of Water

This book is a must read for anyone suffering the grief of bereavement. Penelope is no stranger to loss as she so cruelly witnessed her mother’s life being snatched away from her by an out of control car. Every word is this book is born out of own deeply honest journey of trying to find a path with God through such devastation. It’s a beautifully presented devotional which I know will bring comfort and hope to those who mourn.

Scent of Water (Words of Comfort in Times of Grief) is a beautiful, moving, and honestly real devotional for those experiencing loss. The author has bravely written out of her own traumatic experience of witnessing her elderly mother’s life taken suddenly, and out of the subsequent deep grief response that left her numb and flailing. It is a book for those who grieve, and grief comes in many forms and for many reasons. It’s format of simple, non- demanding devotionals, a short line from scripture and a heartfelt prayer, is perfect for those times. Penelope Swithinbank is a woman of deep faith, with a lifetime of following and serving Jesus. But that did not make her immune to pain, doubt and despair. She wrote Scent of Water out of her own need to just hold on through the storm. And her words in it are real, the emotions expressed raw and totally relatable, and yet hope also sings from every page. Like the Psalmists of old she has not hidden how grief has made her feel: the frustration, anger, disbelief, hollowness, confusion, and sheer exhaustion, but alongside her heart cries are the gentle words of God, the reassurances, the moments of strength for the weary soul, the thankfulness. Scent of Water is such a sensitively thought out little book and so beautifully put together; a perfect gift to give to those who need it’s comfort.

Scent of Water is a beautiful testimony of one woman’s determined clinging to faith in the midst of loss. Intensely personal, this collection of readings offers much to those whose trust in God is challenged when the worst happens and a loved one is suddenly snatched away. Several friends in similar situations have told me they longed for something comforting to read but lacked the concentration to do so. Scent of Water is an ideal collection, with short daily readings divided into themes and designed to be read in any order, so the reader can dip in and out depending on inclination. Fiercely honest, they cover things like shock, fear, disappointment, overwhelm and hurt. But they also hold out the possibility of comfort and even peace in the midst of pain. Penelope subtly accompanies the reader through the different stages of grief while acknowledging it is not a linear process. A 25 week walk through the dark night of the soul, the book ultimately offers hope to those who are willing to receive it. It also includes reflections for those memorable days – the first birthday, Christmas, anniversary etc without their loved one. For believers, or those who would like to be, this gift book offers light at the end of the tunnel. If you are searching for support in your grief, you won’t be disappointed.

This is a beautifully presented gift book - a joy and a comfort to receive at a time of mourning a loved one. You can dip in and out of the sections; reflect with the lovely photos; read the poems and meditations. I particularly appreciated the section for special days - the day of the funeral, the first Christmas, the first birthday, and so on. I also really liked the stunning photos of water. I hadn't known the quote the title comes from but now that I do I am finding that a good thing to hang on to in my grief.

Scent of Water: Words of comfort in times of grief - by Penelope Swithinbank #Scentofwater is a must have book for numerous reasons too many to mention here. It is a handy gift to give one in bereavement when they are inconsolable, beyond our reach and there is no place for our words. The title, which from Job 14: 7-9 hints a lifeline .The writer describes her feelings of losing her mother comparable to the feelings in Psalm 94, where the psalmists asks WHY and WHERE is God? The illustrations make for a light refreshing and calm read for the eyes and mind. The contents highlight topics which allow for a quick browse and help the reader to choose a relatable topic or verse on the spur of the moment as they go through fear, depression, self-doubt, tiredness, feelings of being lifeless, being in denial and other extra ordinary emotions caused by grief. The book provides a daily connection to engage with departed loved ones and can be used as a weekly comfort to keep one’s memory from falling out of God’s love because there are appropriate examples of scripture which give hope and encouragement like: Do not be afraid for I am with you in Isaiah 43:5. Numerous apt quotes from the bible in connection to grief and loss are mentioned but I particularly liked the writer’s mention from John 11:35 - ‘Jesus burst into tears’ publicly and in anger, because of His grief for a loved one. This had enabled the writer to understand her grief without guilt. It had encouraged her gratitude to the Lord for His understanding of her anger, pain, hurt and loneliness. Penelope Swithinbank had invited Lord Jesus to weep with her!! The writer explains that feelings of depression shouldn’t make one think they are weak, less spiritual, or doubt one’s self in grief because one is being human. The writer mentions that God understood her grief even when others didn’t and that comforted her when she kept away from community, family and other commitments. For her, it is God’s way of giving one time to recover, rest, refresh and recoup. The writer thanked God for the relief the rest had brought to her. For other kinds of losses such as work, home, defilation, the writer reminds readers of El Roi –‘ the God who sees me’ through the incidence of Hagar who achieved deliverance from death when she cried to God as El Roi! How does the writer explain those times one calls out to God and He seems far away and doesn’t hear? There are many scriptures given but readers will find this great quote given in Psalms 22:1 - ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’ This reminded me of Lord Jesus on the cross saying those same words and achieving victory in the end!! He came out of death alive, powerful and restored. The writer throughout this book gives us hope that this day of victory and strength will come to us after grief. There are loads of the writer’s thoughts shared on the destination of our loved ones which you will find comforting. The writer gives revelations about the love and mercy of God that comfort our troubled thoughts for loved ones who did not acknowledge Lord Jesus before they died. I leave you readers to discover the numerous advantages and benefits too many to mention here. One gold nugget I will finally share from the book is Psalm 23, which the writer recommends as a gentle pastoral aid for grief. Verse by verse, the writer shows how assurance, protection, care and love are bestowed on the bereaved. This book of 192 pages is highly recommended and worth 5 stars!!

Looking back over my life, I can see that I was fortunate not to feel the tearing agony of grief, loss and bereavement until I was in my late forties. My beloved grandmother died when I was nineteen, and I cried and missed her, but she was old and slipped away in her sleep. I couldn’t wish her back. Then my father-in-law had an operation and never woke up, and I cried and wished I had had just ten more minutes with him. Worst of all, nearly seven years ago, a dear friend died. She’d battled breast cancer successfully but then along came bowel cancer. In March, she was complaining of a cough that wouldn’t go away. By the end of August she was gone. I had never known grief like it. I cried constantly, dreamed she was still alive, was crushed and broken and took two weeks before I could even drive through her village. Even now, I still see a book or a piece of jewellery and think it would make the perfect birthday or Christmas present before I remember that she has no need of such things now. Everyone was kind to me, but nothing helped. Nothing. Those who had known similar grief told me that it came in waves and that you simply had to take it one step at a time. They were right, too. So I was delighted to be asked to review Penelope Swithinbank’s new book, “The Scent of Water” which sprang from a traumatic loss of her own, that of her beloved mother in an accident. Penelope understands what it’s like. She says that her book is for times such as these: “For those days when finger-tip-hanging is by a single nail. When grief is all-consuming, raw, inconsolable. The days when it is a raging torrent, a swirling river, a catastrophic tsunami. And the days when it seems only a brook, a stream, a trickle and you know it’s just waiting to roar on again. The days when the waters of grief are lapping at your toes, or your tears become a waterfall.” Trying to be helpful, people would sometimes say things like, “Well, she was a Christian. At least you know she’s in heaven.” Didn’t help. Not one jot. I wanted her to be here, on earth, having coffee with me in the back garden. Penelope is a vicar and offers spiritual counselling for clergy. She’s an expert on grief and decided that it was time to write a book for those in the middle of it, who ask why and wonder how they are going to get through the day. The book is divided into short sections, including “A Week of Extra Special Days including the funeral, the day after the funeral, the first Christmas, New Year, their birthday and the first anniversary. Penelope understands the nature of grief, the questions, the frozen heart, the anger. This is a very gentle and loving book which acknowledges that there is no quick fix for heartbreak. The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs of nature and there are spaces for the reader to write and ponder. As you would expect from an ordained Anglican vicar, this book is Christian in tone and contains many quotes from scripture. I wish I had had this book when I was going through my own dark journey of loss and grief. Penelope has taken her own heartbreak and trauma and used what she learned to help others. It would make a beautiful and heartfelt gift for anyone who has felt the pain of loss. Copies can be ordered from Penelope’s website, https://penelopeswithinbank.com/. You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/minstriesbydsgn and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/penelopeswithinbank/. I was given a copy of the pdf in return for an honest review. All views are my own and at no time was I asked to provide a positive review.

I found this book beautifully presented and full of sensitive observations. It gives comfort to those who mourn, particularly in the early stages, and acts as a companion for the bereaved who may find themselves overwhelmed by conflicting feelings and unable to pray. I loved the structure of the book, especially the way it is divided into different sections for specific times like the first time the birthday comes round, or the first Christmas, or the first anniversary of the loss. The book is full of lovely photos of the natural world along with thoughts for every day of the week under each of these headings. It also includes common questions that the bereaved ask. There are helpful words too, for those who want to accompany and comfort the bereaved, to help them understand the best way to go about this. Finally the book ends with the quote from the final page of The Last Battle by CS Lewis. A highly recommended book, published 9th July 2021 by Sarah Grace Publishing.

I was privileged to read a pre-publication copy of A Scent of Water and throughout the word that came to me was 'authentic': Penelope Swithinbank has been in this place of grief. The way the book is organised by themes lends well to finding words that are relevant to a particular time and need. Constant references to Bible truths and the Word of God anchor the text, and we are reminded that Jesus has been here before us. He understands, and grieves and weeps with us. The starkness of bereavement pain is at no time downplayed, and the author offers no cosy platitudes, but despite the sadness of the theme and its unflinching realism the dominant note struck is positive. I found the struggle to give thanks in the teeth of grief, offering gratitude as an antidote to self-pity, especially touching. Penelope Swithinbank has much to say about heaven and eternity, and within the grief there are glimpses of unearthly joy which lift the reader's spirit from its darkness. This is a book to dip into, to absorb, to reread and to share. With its beautiful images that accompany the text, it is also an ideal gift.

Penelope Swithinbank’s new collection of devotions, to be released by Malcolm Down Publishing on 2 July 2021, is a gentle and personal gathering-together of writing and photography. Designed to help and comfort the recently bereaved Christian, it aims to reconnect the bereaved person with God and acknowledges how hard this can be at a time of grief. Indeed, the book emerges from a very personal place as the writer’s mother died in a tragic accident, as explained in her Introduction, and this seam of real experience is tangible throughout the sensitive collection. Among the written pieces are the writer’s own poetry as well as Bible verses, prayers and thoughtful reflections on all aspects of loss. Beautiful photographs enhance the writings. The majority of the brief devotions are organised in 25 weekly sections, each on a particular theme such as loneliness, the need for rest, or finding peace. A particular highlight for me is the way the Amplified Bible has been used in the section on Psalm 23; this really added meaning. As well as the regular weekly devotions for people to follow, there is a ‘dip-in’ section and one addressing the particular pain experienced on special days such as anniversaries or Christmas. The collection would be helpful for any Christian suffering recent loss, especially as a gift. This is an honest review written after seeing an advance copy provided by the author.