First published 2013
Crystal McVea has spent most of her life questioning whether God exists. Years of abuse and poor decisions have convinced her that she lies beyond divine reach. Guilt and skepticism define her worldview. She has nearly abandoned hope entirely. On December 10, 2009, everything changes. Crystal enters full respiratory arrest at a hospital. For nine minutes, she cannot breathe independently. Medical staff fight to save her life while she remains unconscious. Crystal experiences none of the medical crisis surrounding her body. Instead, she finds herself in heaven, standing beside God. During those nine minutes, God shows Crystal how He sees her. She discovers that divine love has surrounded her through every dark year, every moment of doubt, every crisis that pushed her further from faith. The experience reveals that God's love knows no boundaries or limits. Crystal realizes that if God loves her completely, she must learn to love herself. Her brief time in heaven transforms her understanding of forgiveness, redemption, and divine presence.
Genres: christian-fiction, memoir, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
260 pages · Paperback · Howard Books
Content warnings: abuse, mental-illness