Talk to Me by Pat Simmons
By Sharel Gordon-Love • Nov 29th, 2008 • Category: Book Review •
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Author Pat Simmons has written a beautiful Christian Fiction story that takes us into the life of the deaf, a place that is not easily understood by those who have been blessed to hear.As a teen, a terrible accident robbed Noel Richardson of his hearing and changed his life and the lives of his parents and two brothers forever. Communication became more than being able to hear someone speak to Noel, but understanding them when they spoke was a challenge that was not easy to overcome. However, learning sign language, and the gift of reading lips helped him to continue his education and become a successful business owner. Since Noel was able to talk when he lost his ability to hear, it was a plus in talking to others, although not knowing the volume of his voice was sometimes a nuisance to others. But the most important thing that helped in Noel’s recovery was giving his life to God and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues after losing his hearing.
Noel’s experience with God did not change the fact that it was difficult to find a church that had a Deaf Ministry that could meet his needs by continuing to minister to his needs. He finally stopped attending his local church and watched the ministries on television with closed captions, but they did not really meet his needs either.
Upon moving to a new neighborhood, Noel found himself driving through the neighborhood one Thanksgiving morning and seemingly happened upon a church that drew his attention. The blessing that awaited him inside was the answer to his prayers. The Deaf Ministry was all Noel had been praying for and more, as he gave himself over to the anointed hands of Mackenzie Norton, who allowed the Lord to use her when she ministered during the service from beginning to end.
Mackenzie’s friend, Valerie Preston, was the leader of the Deaf Ministry, however, she was caught up in finding the man that God had for her, and his name started with an “N.” As much as Noel and Mackenzie’s relationship grew in love and trust, there was still the matter of not only Noel’s hearing problem, but Mackenzie wanted him to trust God to restore his hearing. However, there was more to this than Mackenzie knew; they both had to come to a place of knowing themselves personally and accepting the person they loved in each other.
I enjoyed Talk to Me because it was written from the point-of-view of a character that could not hear, and I was able to understand how difficult that could be, to a degree. Although, I admit that I was looking for a little more in this area, I learned more about what a deaf person must deal with on a daily basis and how the written word and sign language does not always interpret what someone is feeling. Being able to talk to a deaf person is not always enough and the ability to talk to them is not just in the interpretation. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a love story ordained by God.
Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
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Sharel Gordon-Love is a single mother of three grown sons and one adoptive daughter, and the author of When He Calls, a Christian Fiction novel. An avid reader since the age of five, Sharel has a passion for the written word and what can be done with it. Sharel finds a way to share the written word through children and women's ministries; she is a licensed Evangelist Missionary in the Church of God in Christ.
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