The Good, The Grace of God

The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God
By: Jep & Jessica Robertson
220 Pages

Summary:
Within these pages, you will get a closer look into their life- both before, and since their marriage. You will discover the journey both led prior to meeting, and see the journey they've been on ever since. Along the way, they share the lessons they learned and how God changed their lives. 

I have to admit that I have never seen an episode of the immensely popular Duck Dynasty TV show. I've heard of them and seen the clips that made the news, but I probably couldn't name everyone on the show. However, knowing the very little that I do, I was drawn to this book. I love to read about peoples' testimonies, and learn what they learned.

Jep and Jessica had normal childhoods. In fact, they grew up in the same town, but never met while growing up. She was a tomboy; he was the youngest of his brothers. For all intents and purposes, life was somewhat boringly normal for them- until high school. Much like the world around them, life changes awaited in their teen years.

Jep became the star basketball player, only to have his sports dreams crushed when he seriously broke his ankle. Jess was also an athlete, but her athletic life came to a halt when her first love not only devastated her heart, but completely demolished her self- esteem. Both Jep and Jess struggled to make sense of their lives, and to find new identities. Jess tried to bury her pain in an eating disorder. Jep partied his away with booze and drugs.

Through the pages you will learn how a misunderstanding set Jess on a course she felt obligated to follow- all the way to the wedding chapel and a marriage she wasn't ready for. You'll read the dangerous turn Jep's partying took when he awoke in the middle of a road, all alone. They give you a front row seat into how God intervened and changed their direction. After a family intervention stopped Jep from losing any more control than he already had, you'll see how he spent the following 3 months really developing his relationship with Christ.

Their relationship was a friendship built around God to begin with. That eventually led to more. You will learn how a few men in Jep's Bible Study group tried to break them up, but the couple fought for their love. The road wasn't without many bumps along the way. Revelations of the past, and hidden secrets threatened their future. Baggage from the past took many forms, and often came close to being their undoing. My heart broke for every struggle they faced. I was happy to see them through the darkness.

I loved reading this book. I loved meeting, and getting to know this couple! Their stories were engrossing. What they each had been through on their own, and the struggles they endured as a team was a testament to their love of each other, and their love for God. They truly sought to do God's will above their own. They turned to Him, and had Him at the center of their entire relationship. It was inspiring to read.

I invite you to read this fascinating read. Whether already a fan of the show, or not, their story is one to be read and learned from. You will be inspired and walk away feeling like you've made new friends.