Three Fifty-Seven A.M. by Kendra Norman-Bellamy

She doesn't leave her comfortable home much except to sit outside on her front porch or to go to church.Īngel Stephens is the granddaughter of one of Essie's friends who passed away some time ago. She lost her husband many years ago and has no desire to marry another man, so she lives alone. And that’s really a shame, because otherwise this was a great book.Įssie Mae Richardson is an elderly woman who walks the path of God's wisdom. For that reason, I probably wouldn’t look into a book by these authors again. I don’t want or need to know the details. Unfortunately, for me a major flaw was bedroom scenes or descriptions that went too far.

One character says Essie “had a direct line to heaven, and God told her things He told no one else.” I wish that had been dialed back a bit and she were more ordinary–that would be more encouragement to those who don’t reach out because they don’t know what to do or say.

My only minor complaint about Essie is that the authors may have made her a little too special in the sense of knowing just what to say or how to get people to share their troubles. Though I didn’t like the ending, I loved the story and the truth that God can work through us if we’re available to Him. Each chapter starts with the time of day. As their problems intensify, so do her prayers.Īs the subtitle indicates, time is a factor in the book. She offers a listening ear, prayer, and a bit of advice. When her neighbors are outside, she invites them in for lemonade and peach cobbler. Essie decides to be as helpful and available as possible. All is well with Angel and her husband until an accident seems to have harmed the baby. Angel, her best friend’s granddaughter, is married and expecting her first child. A regular jogger from down the street seems to be running from something rather than just running for her health. The single mother yells a lot, and her teenage son shows disrespect and stays out past curfew. Essie sits on her porch and knits, she can’t help but be aware of some of her neighbors’ problems.

The family for whom she acted as caregiver in their last days left her their home and enough income to be comfortable.Īs Ms.

Her husband died very young, but she never wanted to remarry. Essie is an elderly lady who lives alone. I had never heard of Hank Stewart or Kendra Norman-Bellamy, but their book, Three Fifty-Seven: Timing Is Everything was free for Audible subscribers.I really liked the premise, so I decided to give it a try.

Three Fifty-Seven A.M. by Kendra Norman-Bellamy