Free To Be Me {A Book Review}

February 9, 2015

We are all different. And we all go through different experiences and trials in our life while trying to figure out who we really are. Those two statements are true for everyone that has ever lived or ever will live on this earth. We are different, and that’s a good thing. We look different, act different, have different desires and dreams, and we all on a unique life path.
Like many of you, my life path has included divorce and step-families, moving and trying to fit in. I was 12 and in seventh grade when my mom remarried, and I had to move to a different town and start at a new school. And I was 15 and had just finished my sophomore year of high school when my mom and step-dad separated and I once again had to move to a different town and start at another new school.
And it was hard. The teenage years are hard anyway, but when you add in moving and being new and step-families and other family drama, it’s extra hard. But do you know what got me through those hard times? Or rather who? It was Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. It was my testimony that They live and are real and are there for me and They love me.

In Free To Be Me, Stasi Eldredge gently guides young women through different struggles they might face while testifying to them the truth. The truth that they are loved. That they are beautiful. That they are worthy. They their dreams are worth pursuing. One of the most important things we can know in this life is that God loves us as we are, but that He also knows and loves who we can become and He wants to help us get there. We were made who we are on purpose, and that includes our gender. Stasi says,
“The kingdom of God will not advance as it needs to advance without girls rising up and playing their role… Yes, it will be hard. But that’s because you are so vitally needed. Your valiant feminine heart is needed today… To be a girl is a glorious thing.”
Remember that.
Stasi also touches upon one of my favorite topics (among other wonderful topics) which is that of trials and why we have them. The truth is that trials do not come from God. Trials come from being a part of a fallen and mortal world. Trials come because we all have the greatest gift — our agency — and so others may use their agency for ill or might make wrong choices, which then hurt and affect us. Life can be hard. And it’s not always our fault nor is it God’s.

I love the above quote because it is true. I went through a lot of anguish during my teenage years. God didn’t cause all those experiences to happen. But through them I became closer to Him. I was able to rely on Him and run to Him and He used my experiences to change my heart and heal my soul. And I have been able to share my experiences and help others through their trials because of my own. God is using me. God is using my experiences.
Although Free To Be Me is technically written and targeted to young women — teenagers — I think that if you pick up a copy, you won’t be disappointed. We are all on the road of becoming who we are, and I think we could all use a little more guidance and another reminder that who we are and who we can become is special, important, on purpose. And that’s what this book does – it encourages, it guides, and it reminds. And if you read it, let me know what you think, and what truth stood out to you.
// Family Christian kindly sent me a copy of Free To Be Me to review. All opinions are my own. //