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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
This book was water to my soul. I lost count of how many times I circled a paragraph or underlined a passage and scribbled "it me" in the margin. Lisa has put into words so many of the struggles related to faith and doubt and growth that I haven't been able to find language for. Her journey is beautiful and her words are life-giving. She also references Harry Potter AND Star Wars so, I mean, win-win.
Reading the last chapter felt like receiving answers on questions I desperately needed other people to ask. Beautiful, profound, heart-wrenching, and so human. Lisa Gungor and I come from similar theological backgrounds and it was so affirming to read about someone going through such a similar journey to me through faith. I've had this book on my mind ever since I heard it was coming out and I feel like I read it at the perfect time in my life.
Heart breaking, eye opening. I came to know more about the story and deconstruction of the Gungor's, since I enjoy all they do very much - I left feeling like I'd caught a glimpse of motherhood, of what it means to be in the 21st century, how to be here and now. Divine mother, give me eyes to see.
As someone who grew up an atheist and then found Papa G and then was unsure and then became a pastor but then was unsure again but was suspicious of the Church the whole time because... patriarchy, this book RULED. An easy read, simple and actually profound. Lisa Gungor bares her soul and I cried like a baby for most of it. I read it in two days and I was a total weirdo and sent her a message on instagram telling her how much this book meant to me. Ugh, be cool, Nora! Super duper recommend. The only thing I would say to the mamas and the wonderfully sensitive out there, her baby is totally beautiful and healthy now but struggled in the beginning so it was hard to read about baby heart surgery.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
"Suffering is what happens when we want what is in front of us to be different from what it is."
This is the story and faith journey of Lisa and Michael Gungor, popular Christian recording artists. And their struggles with the birth of their daughter Lucie, born with Down Syndrome. They married at a young age and set out into life, expecting one story and find themselves in another,
In many ways we can all relate to this story. I know when I set out on my own journey I expected a different story, and not the twists and turns I have experienced. I have had moments of strong faith, and other moments where I wondered why I believed. And even why I work in a church.
In one part she writes "The things I thought would crush me became the very things that made see the world as more magical and vibrant than I ever have."
I enjoyed reading Lisa Gungor's stories and reflections. I have heard bits and pieces of it, reading an article here and a Facebook post there. I have long admired their music and their honesty. The only reason I am giving it 3 stars personally is because there were points I had a hard time relating to her story as a mother, being that I am a single woman I found it harder at points for me to unearth those truths. Otherwise a beautiful book, with beautiful reflections on faith and doubt.
I was provided a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story and faith journey of Lisa and Michael Gungor, popular Christian recording artists. And their struggles with the birth of their daughter Lucie, born with Down Syndrome. They married at a young age and set out into life, expecting one story and find themselves in another,
In many ways we can all relate to this story. I know when I set out on my own journey I expected a different story, and not the twists and turns I have experienced. I have had moments of strong faith, and other moments where I wondered why I believed. And even why I work in a church.
In one part she writes "The things I thought would crush me became the very things that made see the world as more magical and vibrant than I ever have."
I enjoyed reading Lisa Gungor's stories and reflections. I have heard bits and pieces of it, reading an article here and a Facebook post there. I have long admired their music and their honesty. The only reason I am giving it 3 stars personally is because there were points I had a hard time relating to her story as a mother, being that I am a single woman I found it harder at points for me to unearth those truths. Otherwise a beautiful book, with beautiful reflections on faith and doubt.
I was provided a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Tears. Laughter. Tension and Wholeness and Brokenness. This book will work itself deep within your soul. And then you’ll cry again.
Lisa’s poetic prose and honest vulnerability is a gift to this world, and to me. Getting to listen to the audiobook and hear this story in her own words was even more powerful than I imagine reading it would be. I am grateful. And incredibly emotional, because I just finished listening five minutes ago.
Lisa’s poetic prose and honest vulnerability is a gift to this world, and to me. Getting to listen to the audiobook and hear this story in her own words was even more powerful than I imagine reading it would be. I am grateful. And incredibly emotional, because I just finished listening five minutes ago.
(2018 first read through) This book is a like a healing balm. Warm, heart wrenching, deeply needed.
(2019 second read through) This book has proven the be one I’ll probably circle back to every few years. I got such different and impactful things the second time through.
(2019 second read through) This book has proven the be one I’ll probably circle back to every few years. I got such different and impactful things the second time through.
I'd rate this 4/5
I'd also rate it 2/5
It really depends what mood you catch me in, tbh.
4/5 = Incredibly well written, often moving, a real page turner, thought-provoking, illuminating and hugely enjoyable.
2/5 = as others have noted, the chronology is sometimes confusing to follow, and some sections were so abstract I struggled to connect. The bigger problem for me is that Lisa has moved to a different place theologically, yet she never really goes into enough detail on what exactly has changed in her thinking. From the hints she drops along the way, I think I'd struggle to call her beliefs 'Christian'. The more interesting question of course, is does Lisa still identify as a Christian herself? She never really answers that question. She also never explains if her husband Michael remained an atheist or came to a different place. I thought it was a shame the book wasn't more upfront and honest about those elements.
I'd also rate it 2/5
It really depends what mood you catch me in, tbh.
4/5 = Incredibly well written, often moving, a real page turner, thought-provoking, illuminating and hugely enjoyable.
2/5 = as others have noted, the chronology is sometimes confusing to follow, and some sections were so abstract I struggled to connect. The bigger problem for me is that Lisa has moved to a different place theologically, yet she never really goes into enough detail on what exactly has changed in her thinking. From the hints she drops along the way, I think I'd struggle to call her beliefs 'Christian'. The more interesting question of course, is does Lisa still identify as a Christian herself? She never really answers that question. She also never explains if her husband Michael remained an atheist or came to a different place. I thought it was a shame the book wasn't more upfront and honest about those elements.