Reviews

Miracles and Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God by Sarah Bessey

vjzacharias's review against another edition

5.0

I read almost the entire book in one day. I held on to the last chapter because I just wasn’t ready to be done with it. Sarah is an amazingly gifted writer and her words always feel like she is speaking directly at me. I love this book and will cherish it as a favourite.

alexandra_salisbury's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Must read, especially if you're navigating chronic pain.

ewoudstra's review against another edition

5.0

I was given this book by the publisher although I had already pre-ordered it. I read this book quickly because Sarah is such a gifted story teller I could not put it down. I actually stopped reading multiple times and marveled at not the content, but her ability to craft gorgeous sentences. Then when I re read to allow the content to soak in, the power of her words was a balm for my soul.
This is a book for the Spiritual Wanderers, the dangerous women who are as Sarah says, zebras in fields of horses, Dangerous Women who cause pearl clutching, men and women who are wondering if they can make eye contact with thier unanswered prayer and still pray anyway. It's literally for anyone.
I have, and will continue to, quote this book, recommend this book, and support this book.

iaregrate's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

openbookheartmind's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

sarahbessey's review against another edition

5.0

Listen, I know I'm a bit biased (because I wrote it) but I thought this was a pretty good book. ;-)

n_n_nikki's review against another edition

5.0

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! It was what my soul needed. Sarah is so raw and vulnerable when talking about her faith and the miracles she has encountered. And they’re not all big, in your face miracles. She has taught me that being at home in your body can be a miracle. I laughed and I cried and did both some more. I’d highly recommend that everybody get their hands on this book ASAP.

cperko's review against another edition

5.0

I love the way Sarah writes. I feel like I am right there with her. She is so tender and yet fierce. I love her way of describing God, in so many ways that it almost doesn't make sense, except that it makes perfect sense. This book gives hope and comfort, and a different understanding of things that is exactly what I needed right now.

erlenzi's review against another edition

5.0

Well I'm sitting here sobbing, so that's how you know it's good. This may be her best yet. Sarah is one of my favorite faith writers. She writes in gorgeous prose, doesn’t shy away from hard questions and I sense the breath of the Spirit blowing afresh in my soul as I read her words.

This book is for you if:

Your understanding of God has shifted

You struggle with the modern day church

You love the church and want to see it healed

You long to see ecumenical unity in the church universal

You hit rock bottom

You are/were grieving

You are/were in chronic pain

You struggle(d) with infertility/miscarriage

You are/were ever angry with God

You believe in miracles

You aren’t sure if you believe in miracles

You wrestle with the theology of healing

You hang onto stories of healing for dear life

You love to pray and listen to the Spirit

You aren’t sure how to pray or if it even works

It’s a beautiful, beautiful book and I am so glad it is out in the world. Add to your TBR list immediately and go get yourself a copy!

itsautumntime9's review against another edition

5.0

Favorite quotes:

But at the same time, I don't know that we are doing folks any favors if we act like when we become Christians or when we follow Jesus, all we do is win. I think it's okay to say that we mess up, that we let people down, that we overpromise and underdeliver, that we go to therapy, that we take our meds, that we go for walks to remember everything good and true, that we're still in the midst of figuring out where God is in the middle of all this, that we're learning our capacity and God's goodness the real way: by living our lives and experiencing both victories and sorrows in the midst.

I've wanted to be more like my dad almost every day of my life, but I am still me: unable to be too certain because of my uncanny ability to see eight sides to every issue and my yearning for peace above all else, unable to be much more than on the outside edge of the inside, with an eye on the ones for whom the truth is perhaps not true.

Spirituality is always eventually about what you do with your pain. —Fr. Richard Rohr