Title: Messages from God: The Complicated Road to Sainthood
Author: John Kaufman
Publisher: Great Writers Media, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-959493-68-6
Genre: Religion
Pages: 90
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Pacific Book Review
Messages from God is an endearing and surprising story about overcoming trauma with faith. John Kaufman has written a unique memoir which will inspire readers.
Messages from God tells the story of John Kaufman who had a traumatic childhood in rural Michigan and being a survivor of physical abuse from his father and sexual abuse from a classmate. Kaufman details his struggles with depression after his health challenge of an HIV diagnosis. He also writes about the heartbreaking journey of being a caregiver for his partner Benny as he suffered in the last years of his life with AIDS. Kaufman writes about how his faith in God, the support of his mother, sister, and best friend got him through the ordeal. Message from God also has many instances of Kaufman listening to “God’s murmurs” helped him overcome all the challenges he faced in his life.
Kaufman’s writing is refreshing and relatable. He writes candidly about how his faith helped him overcome the dysfunction in his family and his personal life. It’s also a pleasant surprise to read about a member of the LGBTQ community that still has faith in God while embracing the truth about his sexuality. He also writes eloquently about how his faith in God is different from the homophobic rigid orthodox Christianity and can still combine faith and logic. Message of God also addresses Kaufman’s belief people can be closer to God if they extend kindness to each other. As he wrote many times, “Angels Don’t Have Wings.”
In addition to the memoir, Kaufman has poignant poetry interspersed with shortlines of poetry in poems like “May the Light”: “May the light in each of our souls shine enough for God to take notice!” Message from God is also full of inspirational text.
Message from God would be best for readers who believe in God, but not in a traditional way. The book would be best for LGBTQ people who have faith and want to follow their own spiritual paths. The book would also be ideal for people who want to be inspired through challenging times. The text could be read in progressive churches and in book clubs that are exploring different kinds of spiritualty. Message from God is an unforgettable and inspirational memoir about how faith and love can change lives.
