A devoted daughter discovers she is not alone!
‘Brim-full of peace and a sense of God’s love; thoughtfully written and hauntingly beautiful.’
Sheila Jacobs, editor and award-winning author
Caring for elderly parents can be lonely and tiring. Age UK suggests that 3.3 million adults aged 40-60 are fulfilling this role, with an incredible 8.3 million considering doing so in the future. Finding God in the midst of these demands and reaching others beyond them is not easy, but Jo Sheringham’s beautiful new novel helps to show how.
The Perfect Companion, Jo’s third novel, introduces us to Maggie, a wonderfully gentle and engaging protagonist. She has found herself consumed by caring for her mother and, isolated by the responsibilities, a weekly service at the local cathedral has become her sole escape. However, its lofty spires, and the God they point to, often seem to soar far above her simple concerns.
But when one morning the diffident preacher’s words are infused with a transcendent life, both he and Maggie begin to discover a courage neither knew they had. As they each follow God’s gentle leading, they find Him intimately involved in their lives and prompting them to bring hope to others – to ‘go forth into the world, in peace’.
Commenting on the book, Jo, who has written inspiringly about her own health challenges for Woman Alive Magazine, says, ‘Sometimes, when life seems too heavy, I find prayer challenging, even impossible. However, prayers that have already been penned help me see beyond my circumstance. The words of the traditional prayer that begins, “Go forth into the world, in peace”, around which the novel is framed, were the spark of inspiration for the story.
‘God promises to be our perfect companion. He is gracious and deals with us gently. He understands our struggles, even – and perhaps especially – in the ordinary, mundane trials of life. I hope that the book’s themes of prayer, trust and companionship will resonate with many; an encouragement to have faith that God hears our cries and is always at work.’
As Maggie faces distressing decisions about her mother’s care and supports a neighbour dealing with abuse, someone unexpected is drawn to her quiet, blossoming faith. Could it be that she too might have a new companion of her own?
‘God inspired and timely. It speaks to us all, when we get bogged down in the ordinary, to not forget just how extraordinary we can be in God.’
Joy Margetts, author
The Perfect Companion by Jo Sheringham (ISBN: 9781912726769) is published by Instant Apostle and is available on 15th March 2024 from bookshops and online retailers. Fiction, paperback, 261pp, £11.99.