My Miracle Came With Thorns

This is the twelfth book in Dr. Johnson's series of motivational books. My Miracle Came With Thorns allegorically reflects the struggle of Pip in Charles Dickens Great Expectation as his innocence and faith in humanity is exploited by sinister and well-meaning characters. The concept of the rose, thorn, and the connections that are formed from the first link in a chain of events and people in an individual journey through life are explored in a contemporary setting, allowing the reader to explore man's internal struggle to find purpose, meaning, and God. The desire of an older sister who is ill-equipped for the challenge to provide structure and safety is explored in both books.Layers of secrecy, prevent both young men from receiving all of the help that is needed and later contributes to their internal struggles with the reality of their world. Shelter, safety, and protection are not always found where anticipated but the needs are always met eventually. Finally, illness and desperation, lead to a final triumph and resolution.This is an autobiographical account of a young man's journey to escape the cycle of crime and violence that he is immersed into at a young age. The story is an evocative and provocative account of a young man's journey to navigate his way from the ghetto. Yet it is not just another urban tale. It is written in a way that his story is used as a microcosm of man's universal struggle to escape the baggage given from heredity, society, their local community, and family environment. The story is relatable for those in wealthy families, rural and urban communities, and various religious, national, and ethnic groups where strong separatist identities and beliefs often are in direct conflict with the larger society and each individual learns to negotiate and navigate their world to form their own unique and separate path and identity. Through his faith and connection with God, he survives and pulls away from the ever enticing world of seductive women, criminality, and debauchery. I often thought of the Poison song, Every Rose has it Thorn while reading the book and how we can hurt the very one we love. It also reminded me of the religious travels of Thomas Fuller where he learned that it's always darkest before the dawn.This novel can cross genres, generations, religions, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes to remind us that we all are the same and face the struggles and challenges to reach our purpose and calling.This novel can connect to people universally. I recommend it for literary classes, teenagers, young adults, families struggling with grief and loss issues, recovery and addiction groups, parents struggling to make amends and recover from crippling and debilitating guilt as they struggle to connect and guide their children to redemption, couples attempting to connect and explore how their past impacts their current relationship, individuals struggling to forgive and heal from childhood traumas, and anyone looking for a compelling book to read.