I don’t usually gravitate towards memoirs, and if I wasn’t familiar with the author I don’t know that I would have picked this one up. But I’ve heard her speak – heard parts of her story – and knew this would be good. I looked forward to reading it, even gave away a few copies, but kept saving my own for a day when I could sit down and enjoy it with all my brain cells (or at least most of them!). In His Chrysalis did not disappoint.
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I’m stuck at home with laryngitis right now (not really stuck at home, but I really need to not be talking and when I go out it’s hard to have self-control!), and celebrating some big decisions too, so I did some “just for me” reading: I sat down yesterday afternoon and re-opened In His Chrysalis after letting it get dusty for a few busy months. It felt like I was sitting with my friend as she shared her stories and her journey.
About the Book
In His Chrysalis is a relatively short read and not too heavy in terms of writing style. But don’t mistake it for fluff; the material is heavy enough. Judy Perez Velazquez shares the story of her life through the experiences surrounding her dad’s 32 year coma. It’s a hard thing to hold in both hands. We believe in the God of miracles, the God who heals the sick and raises the dead. But sometimes, the answer to prayer doesn’t come when or how we thought it would. It doesn’t happen the way we would want, and it doesn’t seem fair (though I’m not sure “fair” was ever part of the deal!). I was challenged as I read – would I keep up hope for that long? Would I faithfully care for someone for that long?
I love this story because we watch God’s faithfulness through seasons that had to be unimaginably difficult. And though there were seasons of grief and hard battles, this story echoes with joy. You will probably cry, you will laugh (at least I did!). And you may find yourself looking for God’s fingerprints on your own hard, beautiful journey.
Who should read In His Chrysalis?
I would recommend In His Chrysalis to anyone struggling to see God’s hand at work in the hard times. Even with a practiced eye, in the chrysalis it can be hard to see what God is up to. This story will help you to pause and reflect on your own journey even as you celebrate and grieve the ups and downs of someone else’s.
