Marked for Life
by Crystal Woodman Miller with Ashley Wiersma
Published by NavPress
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Peg Brantley
"Students had planned a Columbine-type attack..." I don't know of anyone who hasn't heard that phrase more than they'd like over the last several years. And I don't know of anyone who doesn't know what it means.
Crystal Woodman Miller spent a lifetime one afternoon, hiding beneath a library table at a place she considered so safe and secure, she didn't even think about it being safe and secure. Most of us have subtle turning points. On April 20, 1999, Crystal's turning point stood over her screaming profanities while they killed other students at Columbine High School. Not so subtle.
We go on this young woman's journey as she worked through her reactions of an incredibly horrific time. Crystal Woodman Miller, with Ashley Wiersma, show us how one event can so magnify a life, choices become clear. A choice to use a markedly evil event for good, for God, and win--or to let the evil succeed.
Miller introduces us to children in Beslan, Russia, where terrorists terrorized hundreds of students, parents and teachers on their first day of school. The Day of Knowledge, as it's celebrated in Russia, became a day of terror. And death. Russia, Kosova and Africa--Crystal took her pain and struggle from Columbine and turned it to good, to God. She does it with her efforts through Samaritan's Purse today.
God had a plan for Crystal. And she shares with us the very bottom line of all our lives: hope.
I saw the need for this book to get into the hands of so many people--those hurting right now for whatever reason, are unsure of the value of their lives and desire to change their direction, but feel they can't.
Several sentences in this quick read struck me. Perhaps none more so than this one: "There is no doubt whatsoever that we are broken people living in a broken world." It doesn't matter what our symptoms are. What matters is what we do with the mark we're left with
Armchair Interviews says: This event at Columbine left all of us a little Marked for Life .