“God doesn’t waste the wounds we’ve buried. He orchestrates events to resurface them for healing.” - Kasey Van Norman

Kasey bares all to demonstrate that we simply are not powerful enough to derail God’s plans for our lives. Our choices and circumstances may take us on journeys that seem so far off course that we can never get back on track. Sometimes we must revisit old hurts repeatedly to see the road ahead of us clearly. Just like any good adventure, God can join those wayward paths to the one we are destined for and create a beautiful scene far beyond our wildest dreams. He is the God of restoration and peace. Absolutely nothing is wasted. Join Kasey as she masterfully ties her own journey of restoration and redemption to God’s promises. ( )

Sometimes we feel that our lives have come to a place where we're sure nothing good can come out of what's been thrown at us. Author Kasey Van Norman shares her heart in the most honest way in "Nothing Wasted: God Uses the Stuff You Wouldn't."

I have read some of Kasey's earlier work, but "Nothing Wasted" comes from a personal, gritty place and doesn't sugar coat her challenges. She highlights past struggles and family issues that she walked through and survived--able to see God's provision, direction and restoration of things she knew were missteps or tragedies. While we often focus on all that's gone wrong (sometimes due to choices of our own, sometimes not), God is focusing on how He can use the "raw materials for the new thing He is building."

Van Norman writes in a way that is at once overwhelming in its vulnerability while still allowing the reader to see aspects of the book in their own lives. It's like Van Norman is a tour guide, leading us through her mess into the beautiful place God has turned it into. She's open, humbled by her challenges and allows the reader to decide for themselves how best to accept God's renovations in their situation.

Van Norman also delves into her childhood and upbringing to find possible reasons for choices she made later in life. We can forget that our formative years also set the stage for how we handle things like conflict, poverty and acceptance of others in our later lives.

While "Nothing Wasted" is a difficult read for many reasons, it is also one that offers the salve of what God can do when we bring our broken pieces to Him. Van Norman is an amazing speaker and teacher whom I have had the opportunity to hear speak before, and this book, while dealing with tough issues, can certainly move others towards seeking healing and help. Let's not whitewash our trials or struggles, let's face them, find new hope and continue to change for the better.

Here's another favorite quote: "God knows that the closer we are to Him, the closer we are to who we're meant to be. He proves this over and over inside our stories, in our ever-changing scenes and settings, with all of our heroes and villains, through our comedic blunders, and in our climactic events."

I am thankful for being able to read this book early. It was affecting and heartwrenching, but worth the read. "Not Wasted" is also set to have a companion Bible study very soon, too. I am excited to get my copy in my hands!

I was an early reader, thanks to the Zondervan. All opinions are my own and I chose to leave a review. ( )