Title: At the Scent of Water

Author: Linda Nichols

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN: 0-7642-2729-7

Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Fiction

 

Sam, a brilliant young heart specialist, has been given a gift from God to help and save many that others will not even try to assist. He has a wonderful wife and a beautiful daughter. In one day, his daughter dies and a critical mistake is made in surgery that causes a little girl to be totally paralyzed. In his grief, Sam turns his back on God and puts a wall between him and his wife Anne.  Finally, Anne can not handle the wall anymore and leaves, with no explanation and no hint of where she has gone.  

 

For several years, Sam continues to go to their special restaurant on their anniversary, hoping Anne will remember and come there also. A group of older ladies meets there the same night each year to celebrate one of their birthdays. One of them notices Sam and knows he is waiting for someone who never comes. She goes to his table, prays for him, and promises to pray for him everyday.

 

A series of circumstances leads Anne back to the rural area where she and Sam met and married. At the same time, a series of situations also leads Sam back to the area. Can Sam and Annie restore their marriage? Or is it doomed?

 

At the Scent of Water  is well written. The characters are well developed and their stories woven together to bring continuity from beginning to end. I really related to Sam’s desire for his marriage to be healed and to have his wife back. The problem of Sam’s getting mad at God is something many of us face when tragedy comes. Thrown back together, Sam and Annie learn that God is not responsible for their problems, but He is there with the solutions.

 

The rural setting for the place of growing up and the place of reconciliation is perfect.  Linda Nichols uses the characters’ personalities to illustrate the unconditional love of God and to break down the barriers between Sam, Anne, and some of the other main characters.

 

I highly recommend  At the Scent of Water to anyone who enjoys a good story and needs a reminder of where our help really comes from.