Have you ever felt stuck in a rut? Like you were getting no where fast or pain was your constant companion? No, this isn’t an infomercial. I just want to tell you about a book I recently read that helps release hurt and receive rest. Now I have your attention. Don’t I?
“Begin Again: The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt & Receiving Rest” by author Leeana Tankersley is a 182 page Christian Living/Women book which is followed by Acknowledgments, Notes, and Author information. The vividly colored cover with fuchsia colored flowers and large white lettering refuses to go unnoticed. It drew me in and did not want to let go until the last page. #pageturner
This is the first book I have read by author Tankersley, and I was very impressed. Her style of writing is very much to my liking. After reading a few pages it felt more like a chat. I was talking with a friend about our problems and what needed done. She was transparent about her challenges and life, but she didn’t linger over longer on them. The book was well written, easy to understand, well researched and organized. It had Scriptural references and was inspiring as well as encouraging. I felt refreshed after reading it. The author was genuine and to the point in her book. She wanted to be helpful and was. I gleaned things from “Begin Again”. There was a feeling of hope.
Based on a quote from St. Benedict, “Always we begin again.”, this book was written as encouragement for readers to trust God and begin again when dealing with trials in life. The author leads us to see God is with us every step of the way whether we are struggling with pain, day to day issues, marital problems or whatever the case might be. God is still there as we begin again and helps us with that. We are not alone and never stuck. Always we may begin again.
The author provides practical, useful tips and information to assist readers that want to start afresh. Her ideas are to get readers moving beyond the past and the hurt it carries. Relying on God and His plans for our future help us start over. She advises to begin again with God directing your way. None of us can do this on our own. Author Tankersley also says we must realize we have a hurt or pain, whether emotional, mental, or physical. Then we should call out for help. Wow! Easier said than done sometimes, but none of us can do all things alone. So, the author encourages us to begin again by trusting God. Recognizing there is pain and a problem that needs fixed is the starting point. Then she explains we need to realize what we are dealing with can be enormous, as in a move, new job, new relationship, or as small as accepting where we are, without regret. So we need to do the next tiny thing that moves us forward.
Readers are nudged to listen for God’s guidance as we change things and handle our life. Aren’t you glad God allows us to write our own stories and edit them every single day? I certainly am very thankful. Actually I am blessed He is there to help and show me what needs to be changed. We receive as many “do overs” as we need. Maybe we need one every morning. That’s okay. God offers them freely and generously. This book made me realize that more. It steered me toward the sunshine of God and today, and away from the gloom of yesterday and its regret and pain.
I gladly recommend this lovely, soul stirring book. It stepped on my toes in parts and gave insight on what I could do to change. Do this as a reading group! There are so many that will relate and love the chance to discuss and pray. At times I wondered how the author knew I needed to read just that particular message. Bet she had a little help from above, don’t you. Rating on this is definitely 5 out of 5 stars.
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