Mountain Blessing

This is the true story of Jeannie Light’s experience of living in an economically deprived area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the late 1970’s.  She had formerly lived an opulent lifestyle, but a divorce changed the course of her life.  As part of the divorce settlement, she received some undeveloped acreage in a very remote area.  That is where she planned on making her new home.

She was just beginning her transition to living there, when she was approached by one of the men of the region who begged her to reopen the local church–which had closed ten years earlier.  Although she was well-educated, Jeannie was not trained in the ministry.  She was stunned by the request because she had no idea how to do that.  But the author had encountered God in a life changing experience during her marital problems.  So Jeannie decided to seek God for direction.  However, she did not see how a woman, such as herself, that was not trained as a pastor, could reopen a church in a scantly populated area in the middle of nowhere.

She got to know much of the populace, including some local characters, very well.  Jeannie discovered that she had a different spot in the pecking order of the community than she had held when married to the rich landowner.  She learned the community’s way of looking at things, and, at times, found herself on the other side of the fence.  In fact, some of her viewpoints and actions put her in possible danger.

Living in the mountains, she discovered the beauty of the simple life.  She also discovered the many hardships that awaited those who tried to eke out a living in that area.  In some ways, living there was like stepping back in time.  On the other hand, the country was sparsely populated because it was a victim of modern life.  While living there, she had to depend on God, and saw how He  provided at every turn.

Ms. Light is a fabulous writer, who brings the reader into the world she is describing.   I love books about people’s lives, they are my very favorite kinds, and I have read a lot of them.  This  5-star book is one of the most interesting true stories I have had the pleasure to read and review.   The only down side to this book is that I want a sequel.  Hopefully, that will come in the future.  In the meantime, I highly recommend this wonderful book.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.

Author Information:  http://www.tyndale.com/Jeannie-Light/bio