Suffering and Death Brings Life in new book, "A Grace Given" by Kent Gilges

Contact: Juan Rodriguez, Scepter Publishers, 800-322-8773, juan@scepterpublishers.org

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- "Nothing really bad ever happened to me or my family . . . I had led a charmed life," wrote Kent Gilges, author of "A Grace Given: A Father's Love for a Dying Child" (Scepter Publishers). An adventurous life, culminated in the joyous birth of his daughter Elie.

But soon, she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. "How long?" they asked the doctors who informed them that she might have days or months to live.

Kent turned to God. "We both asked that God not take her away soon." She was given nine more years. Kent didn't grow up religious. He watched as other families attended church. In college he was an "active disbeliever in organized religions."

Elie's prognosis jolted his views. He prayed, "If Christ has some relevance to me, and if religion is something that I should embrace, give me some kind of sign." "A Grace Given" chronicles Kent's journey of hope and discovery of faith.

"Children are our symbol of hope in life. Hopelessness in a child is a painful anomaly." But Kent and his wife, finding their beautiful life together eclipsed by the unbearable pain of slowly losing their daughter to this world, felt no anger. Instead, they did everything in their power to give Elie a life filled with love and family in the time that they had with her.

The book shares stirring revelations of the sort that bloom from the heart made wise through enduring one of life's most painful tribulations. "We spend our lives dying, but the process of dying is what gives life its poignancy, its beauty, its joy." Her condition led them on pilgrimages to Lourdes and even to meeting Pope John Paul II in search of healing and the acceptance of God's will.

Kent, who at the book's close is the father of six wrote, "My children are the greatest gifts I have known, but Elie is particularly special." It's through Elie, his first born, that he learned the lessons to impart to his readers. "Suffering," he wrote, "wakes us from the torpor that leads to desperation. Grief makes us aware enough to experience beauty and joy."

For review copies of "A Grace Given" and for author interviews, please contact Juan Rodriguez at Scepter Publishers, 800-322-8773 or juan@scepterpublishers.org.