From his own experience with the most tragic of life changing events, the loss of five siblings over the span of four years in his youth, author Jon Edward Gauthier offers others hope in finding God’s love in the most trying of circumstances. For others who have suffered the loss of a loved one, or have experienced another kind of life changing event, such as a failed relationship, loss of work, addictions, injury, or a sense of hopelessness, Embracing Goodness: How Life Works reveals the interaction of God’s love, free will, timelessness in heaven, and our own obligation to help others. It invites the reader to both reflect on their own life and remember miracles and revelations that reveal their own faith. Embracing Goodness: How Life Works is not only an outline for how to live a more fulfilling life, but also an insightful journey in understanding how pain and suffering lead to joy.

Since the original publication of Embracing Goodness, the urgency to learn the several principles of this book has only increased. Author Jon Gauthier writes about his own life changing events, the unspeakable deaths of his five siblings: Tom (16), Kathy (19), Jackie (18), Mickey (10), and Kelly (8). Denying a path of bitterness, Jon embraces holy consolation in faith and humility, and shares his perspectives on pain – how he reconciles it with living in the world. In an approachable form of a series of reflections, Jon’s honest faith journey proclaims the goodness of God’s undeniable love and presence in our lives, and how we are to live our lives, “embracing goodness” every day.

Within these pages are simple words of comfort and wisdom that offer spiritual consolation for anyone who has suffered a life changing event, including the loss of a loved one, and struggle with how life works. For some, the challenge may be finding the appropriate moments to pause and honestly process devastating pain. For others, verbally expressing what the heart feels presents an impenetrable wall. More broadly, this book is for anyone who has had a question about life and how we are to live it. It may benefit many people you know and love – sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and friends – or it may benefit just you.