When Skies Aren't Blue

Title: When Skies Aren't Blue: A Physician's Personal Journey

Author: Andy Laurie, MD

Publisher: Andy Laurie, MD

Genre: Nonfiction, 

Source: Front Gate Media

My Review:

When Skies Aren't Blue by Andy Laurie is a short, but impactful read.

As a physician, we can do our best to heal the body, but ultimately that healing is temporary. As a pastor, the difference that can be made is eternal.

Andy was happy with his life. He was married, had four young children, was a radiologist, and had a growing ministry as a pastor. He awoke one morning thinking he had the flu, only he didn't get better. This began his journey into a chronic illness that he still has to this day.

Hope is so easy to grasp onto and so easily destroyed.

Andy's journey has not been easy. There were times he wanted to give up, and many times he almost died. Thankfully he had people in his corner who spoke truth to him, and encouraged him (and good doctors!). I can't imagine going through what he has/and continues to go through. I know it would have me questioning my faith as well. And, that is what makes this book so impactful, seeing how Andy's faith grew amid his trials, and the revelations he made about God.

I enjoyed the pictures of Andy and his family and the diagrams he used to make certain points. At the end of each chapter, Andy writes a prescription for when skies aren't blue (pictured below). This is an incredible story of Andy's resilience. I would have liked to have seen the perspective of his wife and family members. I know it had to be incredibly difficult for them as well as Andy, but I think it would have taken the book to another level. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from chronic illness or has a family member who is, or even if you going through a hard time.  

Thank you to Front Gate Media for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

purchase link: https://bit.ly/whenskiesarentblue

Synopsis (Goodreads):  

What do you do when the skies in your life turn dark?

There are many struggles in this difficult world that can darken our skies. It may be ongoing health issues, depression/anxiety, relationship struggles, financial calamity and so much more.

Andy Laurie, MD, had seemingly the perfect life. He had a successful medical practice. He was starting a second career as a pastor. He was young and healthy. He had a beautiful, loving wife and four small children. His life could not have been better. It was nothing but blue skies.

Then, the unthinkable hit. He was struck with a devastating illness. The skies of his once-wonderful life became dark, very dark.

Dr. Laurie has been battling illness for nearly two decades. He has now courageously shared his story with you. Relying on nearly thirty years of medical practice and over twenty years in the ministry, Dr. Laurie has written prescriptions for you to find hope, strength, contentment, joy, and even victory when the struggles of life have darkened your blue skies.

About the Author

Dr. Andy Laurie is a board-certified radiologist who received his medical degree from UC San Diego. He did his post graduate residency at the University of Arizona. He practiced emergency radiology for nearly thirty years before illness caused him to recently retire. In addition, he has been a pastor at The Bridge Christian Church in Tucson, Arizona, for nearly twenty years. For much of this time, he has courageously battled a devastating disease of the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Laurie and his wife, Cyndi, were married in 1991 after he graduated from medical school. They have four grown children and make their home in Tucson with their beloved dogs.