Book Review: Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace

The deeper the darkness, the greater God's grace appears and the brighter His light shines through our woundedness. Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace is a very difficult book to read. The darkness is overwhelming. Yet, through this tragic tale, I recognize anew my own capacity for evil and sin and my reliance on God's gift of grace. Debra Moerke, with the assistance of Cindy Lambert, tells her story of fostering, then losing, a precious child. When caught up in feelings of judgment and anger, God steps in to remind of her own need for grace. He prompts her to answer the call by showing grace to one whose actions have wounded her beyond measure. This story goes deep into the depths of sin, yet rises to the triumph of forgiveness and mercy, shown by both God and Debra (through God's help).

How easy it is to look at the sins of another and think, "That's despicable! How could someone do such a thing? Why did God allow this extreme evil? How can He possibly redeem this brokenness?" Although Debra Moerke doesn't go into great detail, she honestly admits she is just as capable of the evil action taken by the birth mother in this story. Indeed, her actions (actions society sanitizes and accepts) bear the same results. When the birth mother calls Debra with her initial request for a prison visit, God compels Debra to respond with grace and go. Then another request requires even further grace, but God enables her to shine forth His love to overpower the darkness. We are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness and grace. Only He can redeem the fallout of our broken lives. This story is especially important because it is not only a testimony of redemption, but a reminder that any light in our lives comes from the Father of light, who infuses our darkness for the glory of His kingdom. May God be praised!