Earlier this month I wrote about getting back in the book-reading groove with a bang and I’ve finally finished one of the seven/eight books I started. First a little bit of context.
I did not know about Michael English until the turn of the century. While doing some work in Nottingham, a friend had some videos and on them were some Gaither Homecoming and Gaither Vocal Band stuff. First I heard or saw them, despite the fact that with songs like Because He Lives, I’d been singing Gaither stuff since I could sing.
I never took up interest in Gaither stuff until around 2008, where I just got into them in a fairly concerted manner. I was particularly interested in the Gaither Vocal Band and the variety of formations they had over the years. they have been tremendously blessed to have had some fine vocalists and superb combinations in their run, and one of the outstanding vocalists who rejoined them soon after their 25th anniversary, is Michael English.
The Prodigal Comes Home is his story of his rise, fall and gradual redemption.
From the top, I have to brazenly state quite clearly, this was a superb read. Truly brilliant. Good reads give you the impression you are listening to the writer speak to you in their voice. You don’t have to know them – I don’t know Michael English – but the way the book is written opens you up to who he is. It is a true personal work. Even if he had assistance with the writing of it, this enhances his voice, not detract from it. You are not reading the works of Shakespeare or Dickens, you’re not meant to be impressed by the wide vocabulary. You are caught up with how this guy grew up and dealt with the many issues in his life that threatened to take him under.
The read gave a good insight into his struggles from childhood, and how those things that a child suffers with, can be the framework that affects them in adulthood. It remains amazing how the attitudes of adults can have such damaging impacts on children. It is a true saying that hurt people, hurt people because we’re hurt, people.
What the book also does well is allow us to get inside English’s thinking during the events that took place, whether it was finding acclaim as a singer with the Gaither Vocal Band initially and then in his solo career, and then the circumstances surrounding the fall. He is fairly open and accepts responsibility for his part in affairs, and I couldn’t read it without looking at my own heart and recognising some similar issues that I can more than relate with.
One particular poignant aspect of the read should act as something of hope for addicts of any kind. English’s descent into addiction, and his struggle overcoming it and staying clean, then the variety of responses from the church are vivid and evocative. Reading the journey he makes is filled with such a range of emotions that I sometimes want to share this with everyone I come across and say, “Read this, this is what real Christians suffer with. Take away the mask of civility, and we’re all struggling inside, and we need help!” Really excellent stuff from English as he endeavours to be as transparent as he can.
He also shows that the way back is not always that straightforward. Some can boast of instant and complete healings, but the story that English relates is one where there are setbacks and relapses. His very return is one that he fully appreciates is a day-by-day by God’s grace experience. That as well is refreshing to read.
The book has the tagline “My story of failure and God’s story of redemption. When you read it, however, the God’s story aspect is rather amazing looking at how certain characters remain faithful to English even in the depths of his addiction, when things were really rough for the guy. People who were around and virtually saved his life are so impressive in their acts of kindness that it says again that God’s story of redemption works through people, even if the mess we find ourselves in is worsened by people. Human beings – what complex creatures.
There is so much to be said about what the book highlights and what people can learn from it, that I could not recommend it enough. It’s a book rooted in real human experience that people can relate with in many ways. English evidently wrote it so people could see the glory of God in helping people return from the darkest pits in life. I am grateful for him writing this book. I am grateful to God for rescuing him and giving him a testimony that will help others to similarly know that the Father’s heart is to see the prodigal sons and daughters come to their senses and return home. If you get the chance, purchase the book read it. Then give it to someone else.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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