Book Launch
What: The Hidden Beauty of Tears: Discovering Joy and God’s Guiding Hand, by Travis Craver
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14
Where: Seven and One Books, 1138 N. 2nd St. 
Availability: After the book launch, “The Hidden Beauty of Tears” will be available at Seven and One Books and at Texas Star Trading Company, 174 Cypress St.

By Loretta Fulton

As director of a nonprofit that serves youth, former campus chaplain, and a husband and father, Travis Craver knows firsthand about grief.

He has put years of experience and deep-felt compassion into a new book, The Hidden Beauty of Tears: Discovering Joy and God’s Guiding Hand. A book launch will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m., July 14 at Seven and One Books.

The 128-page book was published by Leafwood Publishers at ACU. Several Abilenians wrote editorial reviews for Amazon, including the following by Glenn Dromgoole:

“Minister, educator, community leader Travis Craver writes beautifully and pragmatically on how we handle our own grief – or the grief of others – and find grace, love, community, and yes, even joy among the tears.”

Many people know Travis as city councilman for Place 6. In addition to that service, he has been executive director of Mentoring Alliance since its founding in Abilene in 2023. Before that he was Director of Spiritual Formation at Hardin-Simmons University, his alma mater for two degrees, a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in family ministry and counseling. He also has a doctorate in spiritual formation and leadership from Baylor University.

An Amazon review has this to say about the new book:

“Author Travis Craver’s life has had its share of ups and downs with the pain, disappointment, and even grief that almost everyone would prefer to avoid. But he’s convinced that the old proverb is true: ‘What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul.’”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene