Sunday, October 12, 2008

THROUGH THE STORM


A real story of Fame and Family and Tabloid World

by

Lynn Spears

with

Lorilee Craker


Lynn Spears, mother of Jamie Lynn, Bryan and Brittney, gives us a book filled with heartache, a mother’s agony and the unsettling truth of the entertainment world. She tells the story of her unbelievable (and yet, sadly very true) naivety. How an ordinary family of father, mother and three children became the glass house surrounded with paparazzi, corruption and distrust. How does that happen to a family who believe in God and His guidance?

The book is filled with open confession of ignorance. From the Rolling Stone cover story where Spears says, “I had no idea the man was going for a lascivious angle,” to the confession of Jamie’s pregnancy. “What about our talks?” I cried to Jamie Lynn. “You told me you were a virgin!” Every mother’s heart will be touched and just maybe, make her question her own home parenting situation.

“Through the Storm” is more than a memoir, it’s the lives of five people laid open like a book to be read cover to cover. Some chapters are nothing more than He said. She said. The reader might wonder if Spears has a motive behind her words. Then comes the heart of the book—the realness of life when Spears says, I’d been passive in so many ways for so long, letting managers and agents and executives decide the paths my children would walk. Not any longer. Not while I was still their mother.

Lynn Spear doesn’t offer a twelve step program to help heal mothers of stars, but lessons of truth are proclaimed in every chapter. As parents we can help guard our lives by gaining wisdom from Spears insights such as:


1. A teaching degree doesn’t insure you will make the wisest choices for your children.
2. If you don’t face something when it is happening, you will have to face it later on.
3. Ignorance is not bliss and when you bomb you try again.
4. Often the mask of self-confidence hides a flesh and blood, scared-of-life woman.
5. At some point, a person has to file most regrets under shoulda-coulda-woulda
6. Shame is crippling and in the end serves no good purpose.
7. It is difficult to hold on to your core values when you have an army surrounding you.
8. Sticking close to family roots and legacy is important.
9. The biggest grounding force in life is faith in God.
10. Devotions and Bible reading daily helps one focus on the immediate.
11. Reflection says God isn’t surprised at our choices, or the outcome.

“Through the Storm” is the inside story of how one family, now well known around the world, grappled with fame and fortune and suffered the consequences. Every mother can learn from Spears mistakes—the question is, will they?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV


Read the Eye of the Storm and walk in wisdom, Kat


1 comment:

Audra Krell said...

Her trials really resonate with me. I appreciate this review of her book, and as a certified teacher, mother of 3 I agree, a teaching certificate doesn't have much to do with the choices/decisions you make for your children. Thanks again.