Sunrise on the Battery (Book review)

Sunrise on the Battery

by: Beth Hart

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 11, 2011)

Language: English

List Price: $15.99

From the publisher:  Now that she’s arrived at the ultimate address, can Mary Lynn’s view of the harbor – and success – satisfy the deeper longings of her heart?


After decades of carefully working their way up the social ladder, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living their dream: a life of luxury and ease in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Jackson made a small fortune selling low country real estate, so now the couple is determined to provide for their three daughters the life they both longed for as kids.


But lately the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood has been trying to get her attention in ways so unusual that she can no longer deny His presence. When she prays for Jackson to open his heart to God, something radical happens. Jackson has a dramatic conversion that leads to street witnessing, giving away money, and inviting less-than-reputable people into their home.


Starring out into the harbor, Mary Lynn ponders whether or not she is willing to give up her life of luxury to join Jackson in his new-found faith. What would it look like to go “all out” for God…to allow Him to lead their family regardless of the cost? Just when Mary Lynn felt she had all the desires of her heart – she finds herself being called into a much bigger story of true faith and love.

My take: At the beginning of "Sunrise on the Battery," Mary Lynn strikes me as an "Easter Christian." The type of Christian who goes to church on Easter and Christmas, and practices their faith well enough during the year but doesn't really live their faith, if you know what I mean.  The kind of Christian I have tried my whole life not  to be but feel like it just may take my whole life to get there.  Which I think is the point of Christianity - striving to be more like Christ.  Which means we make mistakes and we fail to live up and when we run across people who are further along in their spiritual journey, like Mary Lynn's husband Jackson in the later half of this book, it makes us uncomfortable.  It holds up a mirror to our own journey. Which is why I can understand Mary Lynn having such a difficult time understanding Jackson's new found faith.  I can only imagine your spouse making a 180 degree change like that.  Mind blowing stuff.  Does their marriage survive? You'll have to read to find out.  "Sunrise on the Battery" is a well written story of what it really means to be a Christian.

This review was sponsored by Book Sneeze (Thomas Nelson) who provided the book for review. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary book.  My opinions are my own.

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