Book Review: “When your world stops”
When your world stops: Finding Hope in Your Child’s Medical Journey by Jennifer Siran
In this short but deeply moving book, Jennifer Siran takes the reader through the multi-faceted aspects of having a child born with congenital heart defects. Siran is encouraging and practical as she visits many topics that are affected by this unplanned medical journey.
Marriage is one such topic, particularly how the unknowns can cause a strain on marriages. Siran discusses the needto have grace for one another and explores how the path of processing, trauma and grief can be so different for two people.
Siran also approaches how to navigate relationships with healthcare personnel and how beneficial it can be to build good relationships with your team. She goes on to touch on answering questions people have and updating social media.
All of these are approached in such a personal way—the story of their son is beautifully woven into the fabric of her practical advice, encouragement and vulnerability.
Siran has truly created a gift for those walking this path alongside her. I particularly think that the optional guided meditation she added to the end of each themed chapter is a powerful resource. Each prayer is worded with rawopenness and takes the reader to a place of crying out to Jesus regardless of the circumstances.
Siran also includes a well-thought-out guide at the end of the book on how to meditate for the beginner. I also loved the little parable Siran places in one chapter. It truly moved me and simultaneously revealed the giftedness of this author. Rochelle Reimer makes an appearance towards the end of the book and shares a small glimpse into the journey of a mother after losing a son.
As a parent who has never experienced this journey, I found this book did a beautiful job of giving a glimpse into the heart-wrenching twists and turns of a parent walking this path of unknowns. Often, we can take life for granted and I found Siran’s When Your World Stops to be a well-needed reminder of the beauty of life.
I strongly recommend this read to any parent regardless of whether this is a journey you can relate to or not. Meanwhile, parents who can relate will find this book to be a life-giving guide.
Overall, this book is well-written, personal, and hope-filled. I would gift this book to anyone in my life who was, or is, or will be walking this journey. It felt like a companion’s guide and a call of “you are not alone.” I would give this book a 5 out of 5-star rating mainly because I truly believe this could be a life-giving tool for someone walking through a dark season of life.
It would also benefit pastors to gain understanding of the struggles families such as Siran’s work through.