A Book Review

The Way She Chose

I just finished reading "The Way She Chose" published by Rod and Staff. The story really inspired and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord. Even though I am very thankful I read the book , I also had a sad heart as I watched a real story unfold while reading it.


The story takes you back to a small Mennonite village tucked away in a mountain valley. Upon entering that valley you are taken into the home of a young Mennonite couple who are welcoming their first born child into the world. The child given to them by their Lord was a little girl whom they named Sarah.

Sarah is the main character that you follow while reading the book. You watch her grow into a little girl full of life and joy, and you continue to watch her grow into a young woman. You get to see and feel her personal struggles as she draws closer and closer to adult hood.

Sarah's parents diligently train, encourage, and pray for their eldest daughter. Sarah as a young teen had a very sweet spirit and joyfully served in her parents home. As time went on and she drew nearer to courting age she began to have discontent attitudes in her heart. She dreamed of when some special young man would enter the valley whom she would have great interest in.

As she continued allowing these attitudes to breed in her heart they started outwardly manifesting themselves. Her bad attitudes didn't just make her feel miserable but also hurt her parents.

About this time in the book a new family enters the small valley. They are relatively nice but do not seem that interested in the things of the Spirit. This new family's oldest son immediately captures the interest of the character Sarah and she him.

He from their first moment of meeting is very forward with Sarah and starts pulling at her already struggling heart. This young man had started winning Sarah's heart but not her parents blessing. Because she was not in the habit of submitting her will to them -in her heart or in her actions- her parents reserve about their relationship irritated and frustrated her. As Sarah's parents learned more about this young man's past they advised their daughter to end her relationship with the young man. She goes against her parents wishes and follows her own way. The young man continues pulling her farther and farther from her family and from God.


She refused to listen to wise counsel and warnings from church members and her parents and married Jacob. She left the protection of God and her parents and took on a life of much hardship. Once married she began to see the way she chose was not so great a choice. Her husband was not the godly leader she had hoped for nor did he care for the ways of God.

Jacob was late to come home many evenings, he began drinking ,and leading a very immoral lifestyle. As the years marched on she and her children began to suffer greatly for the way she had chosen. Sarah had to rely on God more than ever before. Eventually Sarah was forced to leave Jacob because he was unfaithful. She returned to her parents home with her youngest daughter with a heart full of repentance. Her parents welcomed her happily and they together praised God for their daughters humble heart.

The book follows Sarah all the way through her life till she left this earth to be with her Saviour whom she grew to love and trust very much. She treasured God's Word greatly and learned that good could come out of the wrong choices she had made. She left this world with regret as she looked at her rebellious youth but she had peace knowing she had been forgiven.


While this book may seem so sad it is so realistic. Unlike so many worldly books that show a young woman rebelling and being successful, this story shows that when we go against God and the protection of our parents there are consequences. Yes Sarah found grace and forgiveness in her Saviour but she and her children bore the consequences their entire life. Also, one point I really want to stress was that Sarah didn't become the rebellious young woman overnight. It was a small fire that she started kindling in her heart at an early age. If we have sin in our hearts and we choose to ignore it we will soon find it outwardly manifesting itself in our lives.

I know that I want God's best for my life and I also know that I need to prepare myself to humbly stay under my parents as I start making important decisions. I would encourage all older teens to read this book. It will really help you see the big picture (eternity) and how the choices you make now will have a lasting effect either for good or for evil.

I pray that all you young ladies will give your hearts to your Saviour and to your parents.

Much Love and Many Blessings,


~M.E.~