I thought that the title of this book, "Miss Brenda and the Loveladies" by Brenda Spahn and Irene Zutell sounded a little bit crazy; and it sounded like a fiction book; and even the cover on the paperback reminded me of a fiction book. I ordered it because the subtitle says "A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God and Gumption." I absolutely love God stories of people's lives.
Miss Brenda immediately reminded me of my cousin, Sandie, who also has red hair and has a million ideas going through her head. Both seem to make a statement when entering a room but most importantly both have the gift of loving people as they are and not casting judgement on another for the way they look, the way they are dressed, or even the way they act. This gift only seems to blossom in them as they themselves grow closer to the Lord.
This book follows what happens when Miss Brenda opens the Lovelady Center for women transitioning out of prison. It chronicles the lives of the first seven women who come to live with Miss Brenda. Interwoven into the book is Miss Brenda's & her families own story and how she leaves the riches of this world to love these ex-prisioners when no one else will.
This book is very entertaining due to Miss Brenda's over-the-top personality. She admits she doesn't even know what she's doing, but shoots up a prayer to a God she has recently met, and he comes through for her. It is also very somber as the women in the book share their life stories. These are real and raw and I felt ashamed of myself when reading them for the times I looked at others and judged them without knowing their life circumstances.
The is also a book about great hope, great grace, and unbelievable transformation.
God is always in the business of loving those who think they are unlovable. God shows up in this book big time - in the life of a crazy redhead (like my cousin Sandie) and seven women the world threw aside, whom He makes His own!
