Wrestling with an Angel

A Story of Love, Disability and the Lessons of Grace

By: Greg Lucas

Narrated by: Jason Younger

"It sounded at first like something out of an old horror movie. I thought maybe someone was just playing around, but then I heard it again and again, a loud piercing cry, and less like Hollywood every time. The windows were down in my police cruiser on that warm fall day, but I still couldn’t tell where the sounds came from. I began looking around for the unlikely sight of someone being disemboweled in a mall parking lot on a Saturday afternoon. Seeing nothing, and still hearing the screams, I called in a 'disturbance'. Around the next corner I found the source of the commotion...."

©2009 Greg Lucas (P)2011 CruciformPress

Critic reviews

"C.S. Lewis wrote that he paradoxically loved The Lord of the Rings because it ‘broke his heart’ - and Greg Lucas’ writing does the same for me. ” (Justin Taylor, Managing Editor, ESV Study Bible)

“Witty... stunning... striking... humorous and heartfelt. In our culture which is so quick to devalue life, Wrestling with an Angel provides a fresh, honest look at one father’s struggle to embrace God in the midst of his son’s disability. Can sheer laughter and weeping gracefully coexist in a world of so much affliction? Greg knows all about it. And inside these pages he passes on his lessons of grace to us. I highly recommend this wonderfully personal book!” (Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends International Disability Center)

“It is the rare book that makes much of God and our dependency on Him while also celebrating His goodness through hard things. This book is a gift to the church, and particularly to men who need an example of masculine, biblical leadership in the face of complex, confusing, and overwhelming circumstances.” (John Knight, Senior Director for Development, Desiring God)

If ever you loved a disabled person

This book is a must read for anyone who has ever loved someone with a disability. While it is a short book, it is packed with information and encouragement. I didn't want to stop listening. I will share this with others who are touched by disability.
It represents unconditional love, commitment, faithfulness, determination, weariness, hope, peace, salvation, and assurance that even in disability-there is God.
The narrator reads it as though it is his own story. It is a very intimate view into this family's life. If you listen to this book, you will be changed.

More Prepared Than Most

After finishing this book, I found sheepdog.blogspot.com. Read "Twenty-two Years" dated April 9, 2015. It's Greg Lucas's thoughts on Jake turning 22. It's well worth reading! It's currently August 2020 in the midst of a pandemic when people are on lockdown, criticizing, reevaluating, rioting, protesting etc...and all I can think is that this man Greg, this police officer, this father...has been blessed with more preparation than most to deal with chaos/tribulation with thoughtfulness, love and hope.

The humble true story of an earthly father’s love pointing to our Heavenly Father’s perfect divine love

The author’s vulnerable humble statements pointing to God’s Ability to sustain us & even redeem in the midst of daily heartache

Bold, Well Written, Strong

Thoughtful, honest, grounded in rich theology. This is strong meat for those who are faced with similar great challenges. Very well written. The only part that seemed to lack clarity to me was the chapter about the eternal spiritual status of profoundly disabled individuals who are not able to comprehend right and wrong. Otherwise the clarity and simplicity were good and deep and will provoke much thoughtful consideration.

Everyone needs this book

This book brought tears of joy, conviction, hope…. It’s essential for anyone impacted by disability but should be a must read for everyone who needs hope!