Pain of Grace

About this book

Walking her readers through her conversion from a culturally Jewish background to Catholicism, Joni J. Seith relates her struggle to live with a chronic, painful, and progressive debilitating genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Written with candor, in an upbeat and uplifting humorous style, Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity escorts the reader on an amazing journey of faith as shown in Joni's dizzying, remarkable life. Her story gives unforgettable testimony of God's love in suffering to a world in great need of this truth, providing hope to many who question life's purpose. This heartfelt and honest memoir is for all those struggling with depression, despair, and chronic pain-and for all who need to be reminded of life's true meaning."Joni Seith was given the cross of Ehlers Danlos, a debilitating connective-tissue disorder. Pain of Grace is her touching and compelling tale of Jesus inviting her into his transformative love through her suffering. Joni eloquently testifies to the words of St. John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris, 'It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls.' Her story is a guide for us all to find His Grace in our pain." - Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts "The words in Pain of Grace uniquely emerged through tears. Author Joni Seith wept throughout her writing because, simply, she was often in agony. Readers will shed tears for a different reason: they'll be pierced and taken into a warm embrace of the manner in which a person copes and surrenders lifelong pain to Christ. Seith offers readers a profound meditation on how one brings physical and emotional travail - and bouts of hopelessness - to Golgotha. Cheeky humor is spread throughout her story, which makes Seith's omnibus on living redemptive suffering all the more poignant and effective. The cross is rarely discussed today; thankfully Seith's bracing tale shines bright light on its eternal weight. Bravo!" - Kevin Wells, author of Burst, Priest and Beggar, and The Priests We Need to Save the Church "With clarity, charm, and open-hearted honesty, Joni Seith shares her transformational life journey with readers in a way that inspires us to reflect on our own burdens and blessings, and to embrace hope as real, and faith with purpose and celebration. As we travel with her - through pages of pain and perseverance, and moments of discovery and deepening spirituality - we are gifted with the truth of ups and downs and tears and laughter and loss and longing - all of which unfold as opportunities to live wiser, and to know God's presence and love in a more personal and powerful way." - Jeni Stepanek, PhD, author of the NY Times Bestseller, Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek & Heartsongs "Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity is precisely as the title proclaims - and then some. This is a most engaging story of a life suffused with physical pain and spiritual suffering, but even more so with God's grace and love. Every reader should resonate with Joni Seith's heartfelt reflections, from early memories of her family of birth, to those of a loving wife and mother across decades of struggles and triumphs as her children grow to adulthood as children of God. Every reader with a serious physical illness should obtain special solace, motivation, and even good laughs in this beautiful story of how all kinds of adversity can be transformed by God's grace to the benefit of those who suffer and to all who are blessed to share their lives with them. A glorious read!" - Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Memorize the Latin Mass!