Breathless Haste

Have you ever faced profound loss, received devastating news, or navigated uncertain transitions? Have you questioned your faith during life’s hardest moments—wondering where God is in the midst of it all?

After the heartbreaking loss of their infant son, Rebecca and Jay Madden began a lifelong journey to discover God’s presence—not just in crisis, but in the everyday. Breathless Haste invites readers into thirty true stories of encountering God in both ordinary and unexpected places—through sorrow, in a fast-food line, during a bankruptcy case, through music, in creation, in a scrapbook, and beyond.

With vulnerability, insight, and faith, the Maddens offer reflections that testify to a living God actively at work in daily life. Each chapter includes thought-provoking questions to help readers awaken to the sacred in their own stories.

Whether you’re seeking hope, rebuilding trust, or longing for renewed faith, Breathless Haste will stir your imagination and open your heart to new ways of experiencing God’s presence and purpose in your life.

1. Opening Credits | Dedication
2. Introduction (Rebecca)
3. Chapter 1: A McDonald’s, a Mexican Restaurant, and a Superficial Choice (Jay)
4. Chapter 2: An Ocean, a Billboard, and a Miracle (Rebecca)
5. Chapter 3: A Prayer, a Sense of Desperation, and a Cassette Tape (Jay)
6. Chapter 4: A Clock, a Song, and a Mortgage (Rebecca)
7. Chapter 5: Jenga, a Tree, and a Mentor (Jay)
8. Chapter 6: A Speaker, a Meeting, and a Padfolio (Rebecca)
9. Chapter 7: A Monet Painting, a Bombing, and a Dangerous Trip (Jay)
10. Chapter 8: A Little Boy, Breathless Haste, and a Scrapbook (Rebecca)
11. Chapter 9: A Poem, a Phone Call, and a Baby Bonnet (Jay)
12. Chapter 10: A Neighbor, Dallas Willard, and Bankruptcy (Rebecca)
13. Epilogue: Participation, Posture, and Preparation (Jay)
14. Acknowledgements
15. Request for Reviews