Have you ever felt that you could really do this thing called LIFE better if just one thing was different? Whatever that one thing is, is it holding you back from living your best life, holding you back from being joy-filled and satisfied, or holding you back from the happiness you believe you deserve?

You are not alone.

Author Glenna Marshall, a solid Christian, raised in a Christian home, wife of a pastor in a small town felt the same way. Her missing thing was a child, a healthy body, and a successful ministry. Sitting on her couch with the Truth in her lap, she believed God was good, she just wasn’t sure He was good to her. What other reason could there be for her missing pieces?

She went on a quest for an answer and it led her to Jesus. Only Jesus.

The Promise is His Presence: Why God is Always Enough is her journey to finding satisfied in God alone. Through the story of God’s faithfulness to His people, she rediscovered His faithfulness to her.

Through the story of Isaiah, she learned that she is never alone.

And, through the psalms, she learned that there is comfort in grief.

In the moment we are all living in today, through this pandemic, with so many disappointments and missing pieces, the message of this book is especially timely.

“God’s presence is the key to perseverance. … Though I couldn’t see what was coming, I didn’t need to see it. I just needed to know that He was with me in it.”

I read The Promise is His Presence earlier this year and it resonated so deeply with me that I reached out to Glenna and asked if I could interview her. She said, yes! So, this book review is about to get even better.

In our conversation, we chatted about:

• endometriosis and infertility

• adoption

• church trauma (yes, it’s a thing)

• and the steadfast, satisfying presence of God

You can find The Promise is His Presence here. (Handy Hint: This would make a great small group summer Bible study.)

Glenna’s second book, Everyday Faithfulness, just came out. You can find it here.

17 Quick Resources for You

Let me send you my list of helpful resources (books, articles, music, and more) for you, friend.