Stephanie Morales-Beaulieu, Anything But Ordinary: Finding Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t (affiliate link) (Winnipeg: Word Alive Press, 2023). 317 pages.
This book is special to me for a number of reasons. First, I love biographies. I enjoy reading about people who made a difference. I especially appreciate stories of seemingly ordinary individuals who made a significant impact on their world. Jesse Morales did that. Second, I knew Jesse personally, and I know what a special man he was. It is definitely worth taking the time to read about his journey with God. Third, my dad knew and loved Jesse. Dad personally discipled Jesse in the early days of his walk with God. Dad always saw Jesse and his wife, Kathy, as two of God’s finest servants. He contributed the foreword to the book. Fourth, I know Stephanie, the author. She is an outstanding Christian young lady. She graduated from high school with my oldest son, Mike. I have often read of great men and women of God whose children sadly abandoned their faith. One of the telling details of Jesse Morales’ life is how his wife and four daughters have continued to champion the faith they witnessed in Jesse’s life. Finally, this book deeply moved me because it is well written by a daughter who witnessed her hero die an unexpected, seemingly tragic death. Reading this book brought me to tears a number of times, and that doesn’t happen often.
Jesse Morales was born in the Philippines. He had such a painful relationship with his father that he fled to Canada to get away from him. Because of the way his father treated him, Jesse battled the demon of insecurity most of his life. As a gifted auto mechanic with a winsome personality, he tried to live the dream in Vancouver, Canada. He married Kathy and they began raising a family. This book chronicles the wonderful way in which God pursued Jesse and Kathy until they experienced salvation.
Rarely was life easy for Jesse and Kathy. God didn’t make everything work out perfectly once they became Christians. Yet God always provided what they needed, and he continually used them to bless others.
Readers will be encouraged by the simple, honest, humble faith Jesse and Kathy Morales showed as they trusted God in every circumstance. Their life was extremely difficult and confusing at times, yet God led them each step of the way. It is inspiring to read about how Jesse and Kathy openly shared their faith with their four children. Their kids had a front-row seat to see the good, the bad, and the ugly of ordinary people trying to follow God through some challenging experiences.
Without including too many spoilers, Jesse ultimately contracted a rare and lethal disease. It was an experience that could easily have devastated the family and turned the children away from a belief in a loving and powerful God. This book recounts some painful and emotional moments. You may need to keep a box of Kleenex nearby as you read! But Jesse and Kathy were famous for their ready smiles and laughter. They truly made the best of the life God granted them. You will be inspired to do the same as you read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I knew the story, but not the behind-the-scenes struggles and victories that took place out of view of the public. You cannot read this story without having your own faith in God and your witness for him challenged. You will not want to waste your precious time after you are reminded of how quickly it can come to an end. I strongly encourage you to read this book. It will move you.
Rating: 4
