Jerry White - Unfinished: How to Approach Lifes Detours, Do-Overs, and Disappointments

Surely, all of us have experienced shattered dreams and broken relationships and the pain that can sometimes last a lifetime. In their new book, Jerry and Mary White share stories of disappointment and heartache from unfinished things: dreams, relationships, marriages. But should we continue to live in sorrow, or, as the authors suggest, can God actually direct us toward recovery and growth? I highly recommend this book, for as long as we remain on this earth, we will continue the struggle to find joy through pain.

DR. WESS STAFFORD, president and CEO, Compassion International; author of Too Small to Ignore and Just a Minute

All of us have something unfinished, but what to do about it and how? Jerry and Mary have taken years of incredible experiences and brought them to life in such a marvelous way that makes this book a practical guide for everyday life.

DAVID M. BEASLEY, governor of South Carolina, 19951999

Simple, not simplistic! Profound yet practical! Wise, not teachy! This is a deeply good book written by two people who have been tested and refined. Whether dreams shatter or come true, God is doing His work. Unfinished brings hope into our uncertain lives. Thanks, Jerry and Mary.

LARRY CRABB, PhD, best-selling author of Inside Out

For each of us, there comes a day when we encounter the reality of our own earthly mortality. The finish line is in sight and the hard questions beg to be answered. In Unfinished , Jerry and Mary White open our eyes to where weve been, what weve done, and what is still possible in the life we have left to live. This book aligns Gods plan and purpose and will deposit peace and confidence in your soul.

TAMI HEIM, president and CEO, Christian Leadership Alliance; coauthor of @stickyJesus: How to Live Out Your Faith Online

In the midst of lifes competing noises, Jerry and Mary White provide straightforward and sound guidance to help us finish well. Jerry and Mary provide practical tools for allowing Gods transformational power to have its way in our lives, regardless of our yesterdays. What an encouragement!

NORMA SMITH, Washington state representative, 10th District

Once again, Jerry and Mary White have addressed current, present issues from a personal and biblical point of view that is both inspirational and challenging. Their holistic treatment of life, wrapped in hope, will encourage and bless all who read Unfinished . May our belief in and reliance upon our hope in Gods plan for our lives and the nations be renewed and invigorated by these timely words.

HENRY DEENEN, president, Greater Europe Mission

Many of us experience confusion, weariness, and wounding over the unfinished elements in our lives. In this book, Jerry and Mary White serve as guides to point the way forward. Well acquainted with grief, this couple offers help for those who suffer.

ELISA MORGAN, author of She Did What She Could ; publisher, FullFill.org

Jerry and Mary White have created a very powerful tool to help us finish well. Filled with practical insights, biblical illustrations, and gut-honest reflections from their own lives, this book provides a clear road map for navigating the doubts, dips, downward spirals, and disasters that most of us will inevitably face.

ELLIE LOFARO, MA, Bible teacher; founder, Heart Mind & Soul Ministries; author of Leap of Faith

The good news is that were not finished yet. Jerry and Mary White point the way to finishing well.

LEITH ANDERSON, pastor emeritus, Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; president, National Association of Evangelicals

Jerry and Mary White address the unromantic reality of all our lives: We are unfinished. With perceptiveness and wisdom, the Whites help us move from the disappointment, discouragement, regret, confusion, and guilt that often accompany lifes tough circumstances (and our own shortcomings) to give us hope and fresh perspective.

JEAN FLEMING, author of Feeding Your Soul and A Mothers Heart

In Unfinished , you will encounter eternal truths and rich wisdom that come from Jerry and Marys real-life experiences concerning the horrible heartbreaks and dreadful disappointments life can bring to each of us. This book will give you discernment for your current situation and wise counsel for your future. The Whites will teach you how and why God so often chooses to build fruitful and effective lives on broken and busted foundations.

WALT LARIMORE, MD, best-selling author of 10 Essentials of Happy, Healthy People and Workplace Grace

NavPress is the publishing ministry of The Navigators, an international Christian organization and leader in personal spiritual development. NavPress is committed to helping people grow spiritually and enjoy lives of meaning and hope through personal and group resources that are biblically rooted, culturally relevant, and highly practical.

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2013 by Jerry and Mary White

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ISBN-13: 978-1-61291-268-4

Cover design by Arvid Wallen

Interior images by Shutterstock

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture quotations in this publication are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ( NIV ). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Other versions used include: the Amplified Bible ( AMP ), The Lockman Foundation 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987; The Living Bible ( TLB ), copyright 1971, used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, all rights reserved; THE MESSAGE ( MSG ). Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group; the New American Standard Bible ( NASB ), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; The New Testament in Modern English ( PH ), J. B. Phillips Translator, J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972, used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Company; the Holy Bible , New Living Translation ( NLT ), copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved; and the New King James Version ( NKJV ). Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

White, Jerry E., 1937

Unfinished : how to approach lifes detours, do-overs, and disappointments / Jerry and Mary White.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-61291-268-4

1. Hope--Religious aspects--Christianity. I. White, Mary, 1935- II. Title.

BV4638.W45 2013

248.4--dc23

2012018322

Printed in the United States of America

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 18 17 16 15 14 13

To our cherished grandchildren,

who give us great joy

as they plan and prepare

to finish their dreams and goals: