Title: 88 God Given Poems for Encouragement
Author: Miss Jerry Lee Schock
Publisher: Pen Culture Solutions
ISBN: 978-1-63812-152-7
Pages: 116
Genre: Poetry/Religion
Reviewed by: Carol Davala

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Miss Jerry Lee Schock is clearly a woman who loves God. In her faith-imbued collection 88 God Given Poems for Encouragement she provides heartfelt words and inspiring messages for friends, family, and anyone going through tough times, hoping they realize God’s presence truly plays an instrumental part in our lives.

Schock’s poetic styling’s lean toward the two-line rhyming stanzas. Her works can range from the shorter four-line offerings of a verse like “A Precious Gift,” to the lengthier twenty-two-line narratives of “For Our Special Mother,” a memorial tribute to a parent’s teachings and the life lessons bestowed upon her children with her passing. There are a few instances where a poem’s rhyming seems forced, but generally the patterns are believable and serve to deliver Schock’s intention.

While the majority of verses are peaceful and solemn, offering a quiet solitude as might be expected with the nature of religious thought; readers might sense an unexpected touch of humor in the questioning title “God’s Retirement Plan?”  Schock writes we must keep our faith while God does his work. More importantly she advises the faithful can rest once they reach heaven, but in the meantime, we must keep working to serve the Lord.

Several poems are introduced with a black & white image. These can range from the opening drawing of a young Savior holding a baby lamb or a photo of hands clasped in prayer, to a mountainous valley or the beckoning beam from a lighthouse. One captivating photograph depicts a grouping of flat stones – oval, circular, and a near heart-shaped design. Schock’s poem “Picking Up Stones” suggests our past is filled with stones representing life’s experiences. While some showcase the good things, others signify the bad. Ultimately, we choose which to pick up. Whether photographs, illustrations, or even simple line drawings like that of a person carrying suitcases marked by the burdens of worry, fear, and guilt, each helps to highlight the essence of corresponding words.

Schock undoubtedly is concerned about the suffering of those around her and often acts as the intercessor to call upon God and his powers of grace, comfort, healing, and love. As with her poem “The Vineyard of Our Life,” which emphasizes the importance of taking care of our souls, and the need to feed and nurture them each day, many of Schock’s creative offerings came about as the result of inspiring sermons she heard at the Galilean Baptist Church.

The book’s final pages include an autobiographical narrative about Schock’s own journey in life. Here she tells of her parents’ divorce; her mother’s instinct to raise her children solo, but confident with the help of God. She recalls memories of time spent with a beloved grandfather; being saved by the Baptist Church at the age of thirteen; understanding racism; working in the furniture industry; and the pain of losing a child.

With praise from many who appreciate her poetry and beliefs, Schock feels she was put here to be a good prayer warrior and encourager. As royalties from her book have gone to support missionaries through the church, Schock’s writing continues as a soft light that helps brighten the path for readers to acknowledge God’s unconditional understanding, compassion, and healing.