IN EVERY SEASON

Frank provides devotional readings for every season of a Christian’s life in this debut nonfiction book.

“Knowing that God is in control, and that everything happens at the appropriate time,” writes the author, “doesn’t change the fact that we don’t always understand what He’s actually doing.” Despite these uncertainties, Frank argues, Christians have the hope that Jesus will be with them in “every season of our lives.” While this book of 101 concise devotionals doesn’t shy away from the difficulties and pains of life, it does offer an optimistic message centered on the author’s belief in God’s innate goodness and love. Organized around the theme of “seasons,” the book has a dual structure common to the devotional genre. For readers interested in reading the book chronologically within a year, the book separates chapters to be read each month, from January to December, encouraging slow, methodical reading to allow for ample reflection on its spiritual messages. Simultaneously, the book is organized thematically, with chapters grouped by “the seasons we go through” during the course of our lives, from periods of grief and suffering to those of peace and joy. This structure intentionally affords readers the option of reading the devotionals out of order to best match their current circumstances. An immigrant to Canada from Trinidad and Tobago, with a master of divinity degree from the Tyndale Seminary, Frank adds a pastoral touch to his devotions, which blend learned theology with pop-culture references and charming anecdotes from his own life experiences. A former engineer, the author similarly understands the perspective of lay Christians, and he’s careful to avoid religious jargon. While distinctly Protestant in his doctrinal approach (ignoring, for instance, the liturgical nature of Catholic and Orthodox calendars, which offer a similar approach to “seasons”), the author is generally ecumenical in his conception of Christianity. He avoids hot-button social issues such as reproductive rights, which readers may view as either refreshing or as a cop-out, depending. Each devotional is accompanied by inspirational quotes, Bible verses, prayers, and reflective questions for contemplation.

A well-crafted and engaging Christian devotional.