This is such an anointing book. The Christ-like truths so delicately woven into the very fabric of the plotline that I couldn’t stop reading.

The book begins with Kate McDonnell, that wonders if her life has meaning. To her, the minor acts of kindness she sowed in her community were not enough to catch the Father’s heart. Her husband was always busy and her son want nothing to do with her or her convictions. When she ends up in hospital, fighting for her life, we are swept away again.

The forgotten paper lands in the hands of a young man longing for direction. From America, to England, to Italy, then China back to America, we are swept away as each person comes to wonderous truths. The small, almost insignificant actions touched each person by divine intervention.

Each chapter is a short story, with a beginning when they receive the paper with the written psalm. To the middle, where decision must be made, right to the end: when peace takes over. Each line within this scripture touching them uniquely and you are pulled into the very centre of this psalm. The Lord is my Shepherd.

The book’s ending was something I didn’t expect but so fitting in its conclusion.

The thoughts, the prayers, the planning—everything becomes a tangible feeling of satisfaction. That our cups over flows and our heads are anointed with oil.

This story is uniquely written with a definite message for every person.

Thank you for this gift and anointed message. May the words from your pen continue to flow and God's grace be with you. ( )

4.5 stars.

Betsy Duffey & Laurie Myers' The Shepherd's Song is a beautiful story of faith inspired by the 23rd Psalm. Meant to help her son, Matt, find his way back to God, Kate McConnell's handwritten copy of the Psalm unexpectedly touches twelve different lives as it makes an incredible journey around the world.

Each chapter in The Shepherd's Song is about a different person who finds personal meaning from one verse from the Psalm. Beginning with Kate taking comfort in the line, "The Lord is My Shepherd", the story then moves to an employee at her dry cleaners finding her note and the next part of the Psalm, "I Shall Not Want" changing his life. He then passes the note along to someone else, thus beginning the wondrous voyage that will profoundly alter so many lives.

Kate's note travels from country to country, affecting a diverse set of individuals from different cultures and sometimes different religions. For some, the verses will help them find their way back to their lost faith. For others, it will begin their relationship with God for the first time. For another, it will help heal their sorrow. A young woman will find courage to begin a new life. One man will find his way back from the wrong path. But of course, the most compelling chapter brings the story full circle when the fate of Kate and her family is revealed.

The Shepherd's Song is a touching and sometimes poignant novel that is quite captivating. Betsy Duffey & Laurie Myers bring readers a quiet story of faith that packs a powerful message that will linger long after the last page has been turned. ( )

A mother carefully writes out the Twenty-Third Psalm for her son, but he leaves it in his coat pocket, forgotten, and it makes its way to the dry cleaners. From there the Psalm travels the world, touching the lives of a dozen different people, including wounded soldier, a young girl fleeing war with her family, a runner from Kenya, an art restorer, a thief, a pastor, an olive grower, and more. Each person finds an answer sought along with comfort, strength, guidance, and hope as different verses speak to them from the Psalm that is the song of the Shepherd.

These vignettes, tied together by a piece of paper, will touch readers’ hearts and souls. Read this one with a box of tissues handy; the unputdownable little volume will make your heart smile.

Highly recommended. ( )

This is the story of one piece of paper as it travels an incrediable journey around the world, linking lives with its simple message.....Psalm 23......

The Shepherd's Song is based on the 23rd Psalm. One Psalm that means so much to so many people. The book starts with Kate McConnell, a wife and mother, whose son fell away from God when he started college. Kate was constantly encouraging Matt and trying to help him find God again. On that fateful morning, Kate slipped a paper into Matt's coat pocket. On it she had carefully and meticulously written the words of Psalm 23. The paper was left in his coat pocket when she took it to the cleaners and, soon after, Kate was involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the interstate. She felt like her life didn't matter, that she hadn't accomplished anything for God's ministry. Little did she know that tiny slip of paper she had toiled over so tediously while writing Psalm 23 was on its way around the world and would change many lives in the process.

I love the concept of this book. It reminded me of a commercial I saw once about one person doing a kind deed for someone else and that person doing a kind deed for another person and so on and so forth. It snowballed and the kind deeds just kept spreading. It was called "Pay it Forward" and I have never forgotten it. I don't think I will ever forget this book either. One simple, but very significant, piece of paper with Psalm 23 written on it travels from Baltimore to Iraq to Turkey and Italy, weaving it's way back home to touch the very life it was intended for in the beginning. It heals hearts, lives and relationships. It helps a soldier in Iraq make peace with the death of a friend in battle. It helps a lonely old man move on after the death of his beloved wife. It helps a victim of abuse in Barcelona. One little piece if paper weaves together hearts and lives that will forever be changed. Each verse represents a different story of restoration, hope, courage and love. I have never seen Psalm 23 told in quite the same way and I was so encouraged by the stories of the people within this book. They found hope when there was none and the courage to make it through but, most importantly, they found their way to God. Whether they didn't believe in God at all or they had just lost Him somewhere along the way, they came to know Him in a whole new and powerful way. Betsy and Laurie usually write children's books and this is their very first adult fiction book. I think they hit a home run with The Shepherd's Song and I hope this isn't their only attempt to reach out to adult readers. I was enthralled and excited to keep reading to find out who was impacted next. I don't believe you can read this book and not be encouraged. I also don't believe you can read it and not have your faith strengthened. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves stories of faith.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. If I recommend a book it's simply because I love it. I received no monetary compensation for this review. ( )