Excerpt from Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Throughout her young life, Rachel's faith grew so profound it sometimes shamed me. Of course, faith comes easily to a child, so ready to believe all things. God's miracles seem no more incredible to a young girl than a chick pecking its way from an egg, or a newborn goat steaming in the frosty pasture. Still, it persisted, and by age fourteen, she confessed herself ready to devote her life to God, to join the church as a full, communing member. I felt proud but uneasy. For us, giving your life to God is an irrevocable decision. Adult baptism following the freedom of Rumspringa is a commitment made with eyes open. My mother said you must sample the sweets so you'll never wonder what you might be missing, but you return for true nourishment.

Rachel sensed our hesitation. My heart aches to remember it. As parents, we sometimes must think for our children when their inexperience puts their judgement into doubt. Wait, we said. Please, Rachel. We are so pleased you love God, and we do not doubt the earnestness of your intentions. But in a year or two, when you are a woman, your eyes might see differently. Divine love is weakened by regret, which can grow into spite, or worse. You have not seen enough of the world to know what your commitment means.

My dear girl obeyed. I could see the crushing disappointment in her eyes, but Rachel did not beg. She honored us, accepted our decision, as always. At age sixteen, she was baptized into our church, her beautiful face beaming with the love of Christ in her heart.

Excerpted from Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo. Copyright © 2025 by Ron Rindo. Excerpted by permission of St. Martin's Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.