Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Many are a victim of their past. Whether it is abuse, alcoholism, divorce, illness, or a multitude of other things, we allow our heritage to dictate our future. Authors Marilyn Hickey and Sarah Bowling discuss the plan God has for redeeming families: change, completion, and continuation. It is God’s desire that we have encouraging, successful, and excellent families. “He wants to transform us fully into the character likeness of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18).” Throughout the Bible we find examples of changed people. The most drastic example of change was in Paul. He went from hating Christians and persecuting them to being a devoted servant of Jesus Christ. He wants to do the same for each of us, take the bad and make it good. We are not complete without the healing touch of Jesus Christ. God’s plan for our healing is a complete plan-- physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is not God’s desire that the changes and completion in our lives to be temporary but to continue for eternity. Neither does it stop with an individual’s life; God plans for the blessings to pour out on future generations.

As I read Blessing The Next Generation, I was reminded of one particular person. She grew up in a family filled with poverty, alcoholism, and abuse. She wanted more for her children. She could not change her past, but she could change the future by turning her life over the Jesus Christ. She raised her family prayerfully and by mimicking the Lord. Through God, she broke the vicious, evil cycle that had enslaved her family. Marilyn Hickey and Sarah Bowling address an emotional topic with finesse and sensitivity. They address truth, faith, fear, and joy. Chapter 9 is my favorite chapter. I pray that I am planting Spiritual Seeds. This should be mandatory reading for all parents and grandparents. We need to allow God to break the negative cycles before they affect our future generations.