Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache

Written by Granger Smith

Narrated by Granger Smith

Read by the author with an audiobook-exclusive conversation between Granger and his wife, Amber!

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, ECPA Bestseller

'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

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.

Additional water safety resources, discussion questions, and photo insert are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Aug 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781400334391

Granger Smith

Granger Smith is giving everything to God. After 24 years touring as an award-winning, platinum-selling country music singer-songwriter, Smith chose to leave the music business to pursue ministry. The "Like a River" summer tour in 2023 will mark his last as he moves full throttle toward his faith. Honoring his late son, River, Granger's first book, Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward after Loss and Heartache, will be released on August 1, 2023 (W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson). Compelled by the call to ministry, Granger intends to serve his local church under the teaching, council, and leadership of his pastor and elders while he continues work on a master's degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, along with public speaking and authorship. Granger and his wife, Amber, live north of Austin, Texas, with their kids London, Lincoln, and Maverick. Visit grangersmith.com for more.

Reviews for Like a River

[Eva K · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book so much!!
Found you when the song came out buy a boy a baseball.

[Kimberly Nielsen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the book and honesty thank you for sharing . Your family is a blessing

[Sara Mandel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm overly and humbled that God is still and always at work. Jesus, the Saviour is power and life!

[shelly Thrasher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Powerful evidence of God’s grace in tragedy! Beautifully shared audio.

[Ronald Moss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AMAZING STORY!! Have a few tissues ready ! ! !

[jadon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely a worthwhile read/listen!! Highly recommend! Thank you Granger!

[Adilson Marques · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Muito obrigado por compartilhar sua experiência, não consegui parar de ouvir o livro até chegar ao fim.

[J S · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Definitely a must read and life changing! Granger did a wonderful job. Hope he writes again!

[Patricia Miles Henry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All I can say is Thank You for the courage it took to write this beautiful book.

[Catana West · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everyone needs to read this book! ❤️ I love it!

[Javier Castillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a powerful testimony, Granger. We prayed for you at our church when River has the accident. What a powerful message you have shared in the midst of your pain. No doubt, God is in charge of everything even when we don’t understand. We went through great loss in 1997. Your words encourage us to keep going forward. Undoubtedly God is calling you share his word.

Javier Castillo

[donna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Real people, raw, honest, truly inspiring!encouraging to all believers! A call to trust a REAL God in all off life. It’s a life changing book and I’m so very thankful for the sharing!

[LauraBeth Grizzard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this book actually by accident or so I thought. I lost my husband (age 58) of almost 15 years to cancer last year (2022). It’s been definitely a struggle. I miss him every second of every day but I know without a shadow of a doubt I will see him again. Thank you Granger Smith for writing this book. I feel joy and sadness everyday but I’m so blessed to have been married to my husband Tim. I’ve loved every second of our lives together. We went into this with always saying GOD’S WILL BE DONE. I guess I never thought Tim’s healing wouldn’t come on this side of Heaven but I fully trust in God ALWAYS. Love & Prayers from Tennessee