I read Shannan Martin’s book Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted this past summer in Minnesota. My friend Deidra got an advanced copy, and I swiped it from her faster than she could say But that’s my book! That’s not true, actually. Deidra begged me to read it. She said it blew her away, and she knew it would blow me away too.
So I read it.
In fact, I read it twice. I read a book twice when a) a book is so good I speed-read it because I can’t stop myself and then have to re-read it so I can savor it; or b) a book grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me so hard I have to read it again to ensure I’ve truly ingested the message. I read Falling Free twice for both reasons: because the writing and the storytelling are so incredibly well-done, and because the message left me feeling like I’d been punched in the gut. In a good way. Kind of. You’ll see what I mean…
“Christians like to say God can use us wherever we are,” Shannan writes in the introduction, “and it’s true. But sometimes we hide in that truth. We wiggle our shoulders into wherever it is we happen to be — the place we prefer to remain, thank you very much — until all we can see are the things we want to see and ‘being used by God’ becomes little more than waving to the neighbors across the way or teaching our children that lying is always a sin, no matter what. Noble feats, yes, and not necessarily even small. But they’re starting points, not destinations.”
See what I mean? Shannan tells it straight, and she doesn’t hold back.
Don’t get me wrong. Falling Free won’t leave you riddled with guilt. Shannan’s not that kind of writer or that kind of person (I got to meet her in real life this past winter, and she is totally the real deal, on the page and in person). But neither will she let you off the hook.
Falling Free is a memoir. It’s probably officially classified as “Christian Living,” but the reality is, it’s a memoir; it’s Shannan Martin’s story of how she and her family turned their quiet, peaceful farmhouse life upside-down when they up and moved to the city — and not just the city, but to a hardscrabble, working class part of the city on the proverbial “other side of the tracks,” where they rub shoulders with addicts and former prison inmates. When Shannan and her husband Cory announced their plan to move, friends and loved ones thought they were crazy. Truth be told, as I was reading the book, I thought they were crazy too.
But here’s the catch. Shannan will convince you, as she did me, not only that they are not crazy, but that they are also living out the gospels in real time. And she will convince you, as she did me, that God desires us to do the same. That we can, and should, “plainly, imperfectly, live what we say we believe.”
Let me tell you the truth. When I read Falling Free this summer, twice, I turned the last page all gung-ho about “doing something different” and “living out the gospels.” I had plans, big plans. Granted they were amorphous plans, but I felt it in my body and soul: I was going to DO SOMETHING. I even Voxed Shannan and told her, giddily, about my big, amorphous plans to do something.
And you know what I did?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I feel like a loser for this.
But as I thought about my failure these last couple of days, here’s what I decided:
First, I’m going to give myself some grace, because I’m probably not the first person with good intentions that led to a big, fat nowhere.
Second, I’m going to read Shannan’s book. Again. Because clearly I need multiple kicks in the be-hind.
Third, I’m going to listen to what God might be telling me and my family about our role in living out his good news right here in our small square of his creation.
And finally, together with my kids and my husband (shhhhh…they don’t know about any of this yet), I am going to put together a plan to “plainly, imperfectly live what we say we believe.” I believe it’s my job, as a follower of Jesus, to love and serve my neighbors. And by “neighbors” I mean all my neighbors, not just the ones I wave to when I walk the dog.
That’s what I believe. I’m going to live it.
As Shannan says, “Let’s not let fear stop us from being the good news to a world desperate to be known by God’s love. There’s work to be done, and we were handpicked for the team…”
You guys, you have to read this book, and I have a copy to give away for free! [If you’re reading this in your email, click here and then scroll down to the end of the blog post to enter the giveaway.]
This sounds like a difficult yet good read. We have always said, God placed us here in our current location, far from family, for a reason and that we need to follow His leading to fulfill His purpose. But over the years I think it has become more of an answer than an action.
I need to read this book badly. I am desiring to become a radical Christian, but living where and how I do is so hard. My husband, who is a lukewarm Christian will never agree, but maybe I can get some reality in this fairytale, just for show life I live.
I would like to read Falling Free – as it turns a “normal story” of moving from the city to the country on it’s end. Many have the illusion that moving to the country takes them away from the pollution, crime, dealing with the many different cultures in the city and escaping to be closer in touch with nature. I moved to the big city thirty-eight years ago and not ready to move back to smaller town life (even though I am spending a few days a week caring for my parents there). Many city people spend more time walking, cycling, enjoying parks, ravines, lakeshores. My parents community has suffered from the same crimes that previously were thought to only happen in cities. Environmental issues are very present in many farming/small town communities. I also like her premise that God can use us wherever we are, we sometimes have to put ourselves out there – outside our comfort zones.
A missionary staying in my suburban home several years ago said her place was easier than mine. It’s taken me a dozen years to understand that. Sometimes it’s harder to hear the Spirit, to live free, when the scenery doesn’t change. May we give grace to ourselves, each other, and whomever is put on our path in the corners of the world we find ourselves . Thank you for honest writing , Michelle.
I know when I am afraid to read something, then I should. God is really working on me, Michelle. I am praying and asking and seeking. It starts there. Now, Lord, please don’t let it end there.
Love
Lynn
Michelle, How many times has it been on my heart to go and be with our neighbors, maybe in a bible study. Maybe just sitting outside ( like the turquoise table lady does ) and wait for the neighbors to walk by and say “hi”. Maybe in teaching Sunday school. But what do I do? Nothing!!!!!
I have lots of great excuses; caring in our home for my 88 year old mother, taking caring of and raising two golden retrievers that are 18 months old, being with my newly retired husband. But I still feel in my heart God is speaking to me to “do” more. This book sounds like quite a testimony. I think I will order it today.
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. What a great giveaway. Hope you are having a good week!! Kashoan
I like the fact that following the Lord may lead us into uncomfortable places, but that is where faith must grow as we obey His direction. This book sounds like something I need to find inspiration for my retirement years.
This sounds like a must read book. Thanks for highlighting it. I will check it out
Why should I read the book? Silly you! We all need the constant nudging, the continuous urging, the never-stopping goal of walking our talk. It sounds like a great read!
Thanks for sharing! I’m always on the look out for good books 🙂
I love this: “plainly, imperfectly, live what we say we believe.” It’s exciting and scary and all very real. It’s encouraging to see our sisters and brothers in Christ walking the walk. It reminds us we can do it too, we are not alone in living out the gospels in today’s world.
Mostly we know what our next step is… which may eventually lead to moving into an inner city neighbourhood – OR might lead somewhere else. We don’t know more than the next step though… we just need to follow that small piece and the step after that. Such is radical living.
Michelle,
I can SO relate to your comment when you reached the end of the book that you were “all gung-ho about doing something” and “living out the gospel.”
My daughter and I finished reading Rich Stearn’s The Hole in Our Gospel earlier this summer and we had talked about concrete ways to “walk the talk” as we neared the conclusion. Then, alas – vacation – and we did the same thing as you – nothing!
Would love to win the book – but win or not – we need to read Falling Free!
Gratefully,
Katie
I know when you tell me you read a book twice, that I need to read it! Love your authenticity, always. I love that I get to watch you live out your faith, up close and in person, and that you are never a person who settles and gets comfortable. Love You!!
Wow. This book sounds convicting and wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us. Anxious to read it, and get a kick in the tush.
Pick me! I need a swift kick in the pants 😉