Broken Children, Sovereign God: Rejoicing in God’s Goodness Amidst Childhood Mental Health Struggles

A testimony to the sufficiency of God in the gruelling day–to–day reality of raising a child with a mental health disorder.

Mental health disorders have become increasingly prevalent, especially in children and teenagers. Suicide is the 3rd highest cause of death in fifteen– to nineteen–year–olds around the world. This effect of the Fall has left thousands of families in despair, confusion, and impotent desperation. Leslie Schmucker knows this all too well.

Writing to encourage other parents who find themselves in a similar situation, she explores different aspects of her and her family’s experience with their daughter, Jackie. Through violence and mayhem, joy and hope, intense isolation, shame and confusion, Leslie’s honest testimony to the goodness of God is humbling.

Leslie’s testimony is split into four sections:

• Comfort from the God who Knows
• Sufficiency in the Fallout
• Guidance in the Storm
• Hope for the Journey  

Life in our post–Fall world is not always neat, not every story looks like a success, but Leslie shows us how the gospel is for every situation, the love of God is for everyone, and He can be trusted to write our stories. Whether you are raising a child with a mental health disorder or not, this book will challenge your comfortable Christianity and show you a love beyond measure.

160 pages.

View excerpt here.

… an accessible, authentic, hopeful book about clinging to God and His promises in the midst of some of the hardest, most painful circumstances a family could face.

John Knight, Donor Officer, Desiring God

If you have a child struggling with mental illness, this book will be like sitting down with a good friend who can relate to what you’re going through and has much wisdom to share. 

Keri Folmar, Author, Delighting in the Word Bible Study series and ‘The Good Portion: Scripture’ and co–host of Priscilla Talk