Down by the Water

By Jo-Anne Berthelsen

Description:

In 1909, Meg Porter heads to Brisbane to study art, but a family tragedy changes everything. Heartbroken, she decides to give up her art classes and accept a marriage proposal.
After a miscarriage, Meg embarks on a journey of dealing with the past and of receiving God’s love and grace. Yet she struggles to forgive her mother—and to overcome her own guilt.
As the family grows and relocates, Meg learns to value her artistic gift again and to draw closer to God. Yet the war brings further family tragedy. And life becomes so busy, as she supports her husband and cares for their five children.
How can Meg keep her growing faith—and her artist heart—intact? And how can she ever forgive her mother?

Book Takeaway:

God's love and grace can bring great healing, comfort, forgiveness and reconciliation, both personally and within families.

Why the author wrote this book:

Through telling Meg's story, I wanted to show the importance of dealing with guilt in our lives, of receiving God's loving, gracious forgiveness and, in turn, forgiving others. I also wanted to highlight how people connect with God in different ways, according to our personalities, by showing how Meg's embracing of her artistic gift drew her so much closer to God.