The story of the journeys of a father and his son through upheavals in their lives, this book encourages the reader to sustain faith in God through whatever trials that life presents. Filled with proverbs that provide direction for specific problems and conundrums, the book aims at being a roadmap for its characters and readers. Two of the main characters are the new pastor (and the father of the narrator), James and his wife, Bonita. It is the second marriage for both, and each had been widowed and deep in grief when they found each other through James's ministry to grieving, depressed Bonita. From healing ministry to friendship to love and, eventually, marriage, their stormy but caring relationship grows. James's son, Keith, observes the dynamics of their relationship and learns from it something about the relationship of love. Additionally, Keith experiences the dynamic of his tender-hearted grandmother and his somewhat didactic (but always for a good cause) grandfather.
The focus of the story is on a strict, fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible. Nearly every page contains at least one scripture verse that first one, then another of the characters recalls to get them through difficult situations, such as growing up, dealing with a temporary separation, speaking in crisis, and betrayal and redemption. The author is adamant that every situation in a person's life can be directed by scripture, and so, as the title states, for the love of God. The message, repeated and demonstrated on every page, is that all things are possible through Jesus and that all situations are and have been answered in the Bible. Washington's passion for his subject is evident, and the characters, believable.