Death & Grief
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Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache
Like a River, a triumphant story of new life birthed out of tragedy, will teach readers how to face their failures, confront their pain, and connect with God-the true source of life.
On June 4th, 2019, country music singer Granger Smith was enjoying a final evening with his kids before heading to Nashville for the CMT Music Awards and his next tour. While helping his daughter London with her gymnastics, his youngest son fell into their pool. Granger did everything he could to get to him, but he was too late. River drowned, and Granger's world shattered.
The days, weeks, and months that followed River's death sent Granger on a dark and painful journey. Every time he closed his eyes, he replayed the horrific event in his mind, and every time he opened his computer, he was bombarded by the critique and criticism of people who blamed him for the accident.
Despite his best effort to get back on stage with a smile and song, it was all a façade. On the inside he was dying. Fortunately, that's not how his story ended. And now he is compelled to help people all around the world find strength, peace, and hope on the other side of tragedy.
Like a River, life is full of twists and turns.Like a River, people pollute our world with their critique and criticism.Like a River, tragic events keep us dammed up.But like a river, we can find the courage to keep moving downstream.
Rivers don't run on their own strength; they flow from their source. When we try to keep going on our own, we won't make it, but when we connect to the greater source, we will find the strength and the faith to keep living after loss. This triumphant story of new life birthed out of death will inspire every reader to live Like a River.
On June 4th, 2019, country music singer Granger Smith was enjoying a final evening with his kids before heading to Nashville for the CMT Music Awards and his next tour. While helping his daughter London with her gymnastics, his youngest son fell into their pool. Granger did everything he could to get to him, but he was too late. River drowned, and Granger's world shattered.
The days, weeks, and months that followed River's death sent Granger on a dark and painful journey. Every time he closed his eyes, he replayed the horrific event in his mind, and every time he opened his computer, he was bombarded by the critique and criticism of people who blamed him for the accident.
Despite his best effort to get back on stage with a smile and song, it was all a façade. On the inside he was dying. Fortunately, that's not how his story ended. And now he is compelled to help people all around the world find strength, peace, and hope on the other side of tragedy.
Like a River, life is full of twists and turns.Like a River, people pollute our world with their critique and criticism.Like a River, tragic events keep us dammed up.But like a river, we can find the courage to keep moving downstream.
Rivers don't run on their own strength; they flow from their source. When we try to keep going on our own, we won't make it, but when we connect to the greater source, we will find the strength and the faith to keep living after loss. This triumphant story of new life birthed out of death will inspire every reader to live Like a River.
Editorial Reviews
'Country music artist Smith debuts with a sensitive and moving recollection of his path through grief. . .In stark, intimate prose, the author candidly renders the realities of suffering while articulating a moving message of renewal. Those seeking a faith-based path through grief will find this instructive and affecting.' -- Publishers Weekly
Readers Top Reviews
Margaret
This book is great for anyone! Granger tells his story in a real and vulnerable way that is easy to read, yet so captivating. It is inspiring. Hopeful. Just overall a great read. One of the best books I've ever read.
Belladonna Margar
This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. It’s raw and honest. Granger wrote this book with so much passion and depth. He’s only strengthened my faith in God. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. It speaks of profound loss, darkness and finding the strength to move past grief.
Marcus Friesen Be
Got this book last night and I just started reading and kept going till I ran out of pages. Whether you've heard of Granger before or not, I would still urge you to buy this book!! For me personally I've followed Granger for a couple years now and I've heard a part of his story many times, but reading this and seeing the entire story in full context brought tears and excitement at the same time!! I'm super proud of Granger and the changes he is making in his life to serve God more fully and I hope that through this, many people are brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord!!!
NicholeMarcus Fri
I will say I stumbled upon Granger Smith and his music a few years back by complete accident, while attending a benefit concert and immediately fell in love. I had heard of him and the passing of his son briefly when it happened, but he wasn't someone I followed at the time. It wasn't until that one evening that I heard him, and his music immediately spoke to me, that my family and I started following him, watching The Smiths and truly seeing what a humble, down to earth and transparent person he and Amber were. Just like Granger's music spoke to me and came to me at a time when I needed healing, his book has done the same. Anyone who has experienced loss in some form, whatever that may be, whether it was recently or years ago, should read this book. It's a book of heartache, healing, finding hope in the darkest of times, and finding the strength to surrender and continue to move forward when you didn't think you had the strength to. To hear the story of River and how the Smiths tried to pull their family back together on TV is one thing, to read the words of Granger and to truly get a glimpse of the journey he has made, to understand where he's going a bit better, is a completely different thing to read and watch unfold as you turn from page to page. Truly cannot say enough about how well written and transparent this book is, it is sure to connect with you on one level or another, and bring new light to moving forward. Order it, you will not be disappointed!
DLLawrenceNichole
This family suffered from the tragic death of their 3 year old son, River. Any parent would be sick with guilt whether deserved or not. This is the story of how Granger and his wife worked through the trauma and sorrow. It was well written and not so depressing that I couldn’t get through it as are so many books about loss. It truly celebrated River’s life while showing how hard Granger tried to find peace. I’m thoroughly ashamed of internet trolls who added to this families pain by making outrageous accusations. Those are people who hide behind a computer screen to demonstrate how insensitive and cruel they really are. Granger turned to Christ and much of his words towards the end of the book were uplifting and representative of a profound and honest change that can only occur upon salvation. My only concern was that due to his listening to John Piper, his theology is Calvinist. Yes G-d is sovereign. But He did not cause or predestine this tragedy. Passages suggesting that G-d is the cause of evil are misunderstood by those who do not have a correct Hebrew understanding of the Tanakh. G-d does not micromanage everything that happens on this earth. We live in a fallen world where pain and sorrow exist, not because G-d proclaimed it, but because this is an imperfect world. There does not need to be a grand reason for tragedy. It does not have to have meaning. Loss is part of the fallen state of this world which will one day be made perfect again. In the meantime, the Lord sees our tears and sorrows with families through such ordeals, strengthening them and giving them comfort. They need to know that no one is elected to salvation and no one to be eternally lost. Christ died for everyone and wants all human beings to be saved. A three year old is not capable of understanding the gospel and goes directly, upon death, to be with Christ. This “elect versus predestined to be lost” is unscriptural. I see a great future for this wonderful young man in ministry but I pray he will get out from under the deceit of Calvinism. Initially, the doctrines give a false joy that you were chosen to be saved! You! But, in reality G-d created all human beings to find salvation. It is our choice and not fixed from the foundation of the world. In time, the doctrines of Calvinism will bring nothing but more sorrow. G-d bless this beautiful family. Praise Him, in His mercy for their new baby, Maverick.
