Book In Review

     This book is one that I have been waiting to read for some time now.  Messenger-The Legacy Of Mattie J. T. Stepanek and Heartsongs is the story, behind the story, of Mattie Stepanek who was a young author of poetry and prose.  He was also an ambassador for the MDA, Muscular Dystrophy Association.  He believed that God gave him a mission of passing on the message of peace and hope to the world.  He took his mission very seriously, in fact, so seriously that he often put his physical and emotional discomfort aside to spread the message to all who would stop and listen.   He often reminded people ” to play after the storm”.   Everyone weathers storms of one kind or another throughout their lives…it is easy to forget to play, to laugh, to love and to enjoy the moments after one of those storms.  Mattie never forgot and he never forgot to remind others to do the same.

       Many people did stop and listen because Mattie’s personality and the way that he delivered that message of hope, love, and peace was such that he was very engaging.  I remember seeing him on talk shows and news programs and being very impressed by him.  He was a gifted writer and a deep thinker.  He knew, communicated and worked alongside of celebrities like Oprah, presidents like Jimmy Carter, media personalities like Chris Cuomo, or musicians like Christopher Cross, actors like Sean Austin from the Harry Potter movies, champions like firefighters and advocates, like Jerry Lewis, for those suffering with muscular dystrophy and everyday people; to share his message of peace and hope.  I am grateful for and respectful of his sacrifices while delivering the message he bore in his heart.  That is commitment.

        He suffered much in his physical affliction.  He suffered much emotionally at the loss of his siblings.  He was loved and guided by a mother named Jeni who not only raised her child to be so special but also recognized that he had something to accomplish in the short time that he was given to live here on Earth.  I think that she is pretty inspirational too.   She lost all four of her children to this disease and she lives with it herself.  She has not let it stop her from living her best life or from continuing to spread the message that God put on Mattie’s heart while he lived.  Surely God will bless her for continuing to be faithful in her love for him inspite of all of the challenges that her family has faced.

     Mattie Stepanek was a young man with an amazing personality and wisdom far beyond his 13 years.  He lived his best life to the fullest by fulfilling his purpose to the best of his ability.  I think you will be blessed by this behind the scene’s story of Mattie’s life and mission.  You will be blessed by reading any of Mattie’s writings, his series of books called Heartsongs.   I dare you to read them and not be changed in some positive kind of way!

     If you want to learn more or are interested in one of his books you can go to the site that was set up for Mattie before his death here:  http://www.mattieonline.com/ .