My Patch of Heaven

There are times when some things must be done by the pastor. Why? Because there is no one else to do them. Dr. Lawrence Hudson, an eager, young pastor, gladly bears this responsibility as he embarks on his first duties at the Church of the Redeemer in the small town of Roy, Tennessee. The year is 1947, and this is the first church appointment for this bright, dedicated man of God. With grand ambitions and a deep desire to please the Lord, Dr. Hudson is attentive to the needs of his parishioners, no matter the place or the hour, and seems to have sermons ready at the drop of a hat. He soon becomes famous for his front porch sermons and fireside sermons, which he gives to those who stop by his home for counsel and spiritual advice. Although he quickly proves himself to be wise beyond his years, Dr. Hudson still has many lessons to learn as he sets about tending his new flock. Perhaps even more difficult, he, like all humans, must face his own failures and mistakes. For he has a ghost in his past which is not easily forgotten-a lost love which he may never recover. Wrestling with his own heartache, loneliness, and regret, he focuses on the needs of others in order to fill the void in his own life. Only his closest friend and housekeeper, Mrs. Ward, knows of his inner struggle-one, it seems, only God can heal. My Patch of Heaven is a story of hope, faithfulness, and triumph as a pastor and his flock ever reach for that higher calling.