Review of Seasons of Sorrow by Tim Challies

Several months ago I ran across the song "In the Valley (Bless the Lord)" by City Alight (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1nMD_Mjos), which was written to accompany the book "Seasons of Sorrow" by Tim Challies. I had read the book about a year before, but only mentioned it in passing on the blog. I set out to quickly reread it and write a post about the book and song. However, I soon realized it wasn't possible for me to read this book quickly. Instead I savored it, avoided it, and started crying way too many times in a parking lot as I waited for my daughter to finish her various activities. They were tears of sadness, joy, and comfort.

Tim Challies is a long-time blogger and pastor from Canada. His college-aged son, Nick, passed away unexpectedly in 2020. "Seasons of Sorrow" recounts the first year of his grief, in short and rich chapters. Almost every chapter brought a tear (and often many more) to my eye, even in the second reading, as I related to the truth and emotion that Tim Challies shared about his grief and faith, reflected on my own experience, learned from the fresh perspective of his experience, and shared in the longing to be reunited with our sons. The book is full of Scripture, quotes from authors from previous eras, thoughtful reflections, and encouragement. The author's Christ-focused and hopeful message and realistic portrayal of the pain of losing a child was a comfort to me.

The following quote from Chapter 14, titled "What do you do with grief?", is a great example of the hopeful message of the book. The author discusses his prayers for his wife and daughter as they grieve Nick, saying: "And then, inspired by the apostle Paul, I find myself praying that they would forget, remember, and press on. I pray that they would forget their grief in the sense that they would refuse to be defined by it or be made useless to the Lord's purposes because of it. I pray that they would remember their grief in the sense that it is now a part of their story and a part that has equipped them for more and better service to God. And I pray that they would press on through their grief, with hearts softened by loss, hands fitted by sorrow, feet running by faith, and arms always straining forward, always pressing on toward the goal for the prize for which God is calling them heavenward."

The Song "In the Valley" emphasizes the presence and comfort of the Lord as we walk through the valleys of life and He gives us His peace, strength, and Himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1nMD_Mjos I am thankful for the daily reminder of the song and for it causing me to reread the book. I pray they are both a blessing to you as well.