All the Way to Heaven: A Surprising Faith Journey

Such a rich, cohesive tapestry of one's inner life! Elizabeth Sherrill has had a bit of practice writing about other people - but taking hard, honest looks in the mirror and typing away ain't easy. The human trials are what make All the Way to Heaven such a deep, engrossing story. I also loved the mini-profiles of the many people in her life - especially Mea.

Even though Elizabeth Sherrill is nearly 50 years older than me, I feel so much identification when I read about her life. All The Way To Heaven has encouraged me to be who I am, to stop comparing myself to others, but walk the path set before me, trusting that my heavenly Father knows best. This not only a very HUMAN book, written by a human being of great human insight. This is also a very SPIRITUAL book of rich wisdom, which I will value just as much as Henri Nouwen's books have meant to my spiritual journey. I keep quoting and talking about the book... just ask my husband! (He has now given in and enjoys reading the book himself!)

I've finally finished this book. But I didn't want to. As I neared the end I found myself reading slower and slower, savoring each thought. The early part of the book is the story of a woman's search for God-but in another sense it's God's search for her. And this is not an ordinary writer. Elizabeth Sherrill is a master storyteller who has told countless other people's stories-and told them well. Now she paints her own picture with depth and vivid colors. The last third of the book explores the topic of heaven, but it's not a lecture. Instead, reading it is like being one of a few students who get to be in a seminar with a master professor on the subject of her life work. Sitting around a table, she offers a choice quote, a key anecdote, a few comments. One thought leads to another, the subject is lively, and I end up learning the subject thoroughly, having made it my own. I've already given away one copy and have two more coming-but how to choose between all the people who need this book?

Many of the books that have been ghost written by Elizabeth Sherrill have been among my favorites. Her own writing of articles in Guideposts, plus her previous personal books have been sources of inspiration and encouragement to me through the years. I am thrilled to finally be able to read her own life journey. She is able to voice the inner thoughts of many of us in ways we are not able to put into words. I resonated with the lessons she has learned on her journey. Reading this book has been another step in my own spiritual journey. Truly Elizabeth Sherrill and the people whom she has known and written about have been mentors to me. I encourage others to read this excellently written book. It collaborates perfectly with my latest book, The Mentor Quest: Practical Ways to Find the Guidance You Need.