I Will to You

by: Herbert Brokering

Published by: Augsburg Books

Reviewed by Connie Anderson

Subtitled: Leaving a Legacy for Those You Love

With more than 40 books, hymns and other writings, Herb Brokering has shared his life through words--and now in a most amazing way in this "legacy" for his children--and us.

I've known Herb for many years as we attend the same church in Bloomington, Minnesota. His beloved wife, Lois, was the church's pied piper for the children until her untimely death in a traffic accident.

For the past 60 years, Herb (now 80) has had a ministry as a pastor, educator, curriculum developer and pilgrimage leader to North America, Europe and Asia.

I Will to You feels like Herb put into words every emotion--every wish--every dream for his family and you and me.

About every two pages, I'd say, "This one is my favorite." Divided into sections such as Sights to See, A Good Word, Places to Be, each section contains many short stories.

Herb's observation and reminiscence are topnotch and he feels, smells, hears and senses concepts he wants us to know about--or recall from our own past or learn for our future.

In "Soft Lead Pencil" he says, "The feeling of a #3 pencil was the feeling of the pencil and the paper talking to each other. They were friendly. I could make a mistake and feel forgiven." As a writer, I reveled in that story.

Herb's power is in his nostalgia and the how and why things happen that make us who we are today, regardless if we are 80 or 48 or 18 or 8. How he remembers certain chairs, a church bell, farm animals or far-off train whistles can bring goose bumps as you conjure up your own memories.

At first read, the stories can be taken just at face value, but as you think about them, you can see stories within stories, always teaching us or reminding us about being human.

In "Premiere," Herb tells of a guest violinist who came to pay with a high school orchestra. Seven measures into the first offering, the virtuoso stopped playing--because his A string was out of tune. "I will you the nerve to stop when a string is not in tune..." he writes--and you know this is not just about a violin string.

Herb has done a wonderful job of capturing sights and sounds that teach us, move us and challenge us.

Armchair Interviews says: Great selection for a book club or church group, as a gift for inspiration or for your own "I will to you."