Homeschooling for 3

Reggie Dabbs is someone I would like to call a friend. Not only is his story a remarkable; his vision and dedication to helping others is inspiring.

While just in the second grade he learns that his parents are not really his parents. He also learned that his conception was truly an accident. His mother had to sell herself to feed her three children. And during that act she became pregnant with him. His life began at a value of $20. What a blow to a young child’s sense of self.

He was very fortunate to have loving adoptive parents. His adoptive mother is the kind of woman I hope that I’m growing up to be.  She  had been Vera’s (biological mom) teacher. Always kind and willing to help, in Vera’s time of great need she and her husband agreed to take her and her three children in while she was pregnant. And when Reggie was born Vera asked Mrs. Dabbs to adopt her son.

Vera’s back story is heart-wrenching in its own right. Although she made some bad choices along the way she tried very hard to provide the best way she could for her children. As Reggie says in his book, “She is a testament to the hope that can emerge out of hopeless situations.”

So many times people like to excuse their bad choices by going in back in time — if only their [mom, dad, grandma, fill in the blank] had been [kinder, stricter, funnier, etc.] they wouldn’t be so miserable today.

Reading Reggie’s story will help many to remove the scales from their eyes. He encourages us to wake up to the awesome possibilities that God has in store for us if only we’d pay attention. He has taken the pain and disappointments from his life and transformed them into tools to help others.

This is not a preachy book. This is not a book of homilies and “keep a stiff upper lip” attitudes. It’s an open and honest chance for self-evaluation and reflection. Instead of looking at what everyone else has done to affect our lives, Reggie encourages us to look at what we can accomplish with our lives. The choice is always our — good, bad or indifferent.

I learned many things reading this book. For example, the marginalization of a father’s role in a child’s life. The message has been loud (and unfortunately received by many), “Father’s who need them?” The statistics that Reggie shares in his book answers that question loud and clear.  ”We Do!!!” When you get the book check out the chapter entitled, “Big Daddy, Know Your Father.” The statistics will bring tears to your eyes.

One of the many things I enjoyed about this book is the tone.  Although Reggie’s message is to introduce youths to Christ, he’s always fun and engaging. I really enjoyed the way he told stories that incorporated scripture in such a way it is not readily apparent that he’s talking about the Bible at all.

This is a very engaging and instructional book. This book is appropriate for all ages and is a great boon for families. At the end of each chapter there are a series of discussion questions that children as young as eight can relate to (I put this to the test with my own kids).

I wish Mr. Dabbs continued success on his mission to help our youth find a purpose and appreciate their worth.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”