[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”1601425325″ cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41yCbO%2BCPSL._SL160_.jpg” tag=”douloschristo-20″ width=”104″]Page 2: Michelle DeRusha – Spiritual Misfit
In the chapter “One Size Fits All” DeRusha showed how service in the community helped her realize that each person’s faith journey is unique. Intellectually she knew that God loved her, but that love had yet to fill her heart. Becoming active in the community (the section on “Meals on Wheels” is a must-read) “began to shift me slowly and subtly from a purely intellectual kind of faith to a slightly more emotional belief” (135).
The topic of prayer was addressed in her chapter “Imperfect, Panicky Prayers.” DeRusha wrote how she transitioned from a specific definition of how prayer should be done to understanding it as an ongoing conversation.
God’s grace was the topic of DeRusha’s chapter entitled “Taking a Mulligan…Again.” A lesson for all of us, she wrote how early in her faith journey she believed she must live the Christian life to perfection. Here she beautifully reminds us that all Christians fall short and need grace. Ultimately she was not only able to face the reality that she was not going to lead a perfect Christian life, but also she should be at peace with this fact and allow herself “room for error.”
Trust was the topic of DeRusha’s chapter entitled “Surrender the Fear.” Ultimately she proposed that much of her journey to faith was slowed by fear and lack of trust.
Some who read Spiritual Misfit may not identify with DeRusha’s specific journey of how she came to faith. However, most, if not all, should identify with many of the struggles she highlights along the road. Ultimately, we are all misfits, right? We wrestle with having our own way in life. Many of us wrestle with the unknown. And yes, life is much easier believing in absolutes. We wrestle with trust, guilt, and accepting love. In the end, DeRusha’s story mirrors many of the experiences we’ve had during our journey in life.
Michelle DeRusha’s writing style is honest, very funny, and refreshing. You will find yourself laughing and possibly tearing up while reading her memoir. More important, readers will find a good deal of their own life stories contained in the pages of Spiritual Misfit. Upon completing the book, I felt like I had spent a weekend with a close friend, chatting about our struggles and accomplishments.
C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com
 Reading for the Common Good From ERB Editor Christopher Smith "This book will inspire, motivate and challenge anyone who cares a whit about the written word, the world of ideas, the shape of our communities and the life of the church." -Karen Swallow Prior Enter your email below to sign up for our weekly newsletter & download your FREE copy of this ebook! |
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