'Just as He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.'

'Just as He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.'

• Apr 14, 2017

I first heard about She Reads Truth a few years ago. It was something that originally "started as a small group of strangers on the internet who wanted to be more intentional about reading God's Word." That small group become an entire online community in pursuit of one goal: to spend time reading the Bible every day. You can explore their website to find out about their current study (and browse through past plans). 

Although I was familiar with their website and app, I had no idea the founders, Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams, were coming out with a book. When I was browsing in Barnes & Noble one night, I spotted the title and picked it up out of curiosity. I was thrilled to learn it was written by the woman behind the website. I sat down with a copy in the café and read a few pages... and ended up buying it that night.

I had every intention of reading it right away, and yet it still ended up joining the pile of books on my shelves. So, I thought it was the perfect choice for March's Picky Pledge Reading Challenge prompt - “A Book You Had to Buy, But Still Haven't Read.” And as soon as I started it, I remembered why I'd felt like I had to buy it that day. She Reads Truth is about two women with different stories but discovering the same unchanging God:

“It's okay to study God's hand in our present circumstances. It's good and appropriate to move that telescope around to see what other people are dealing with too. But opening God's Word and studying His character is like lifting our eyes from the viewfinder long enough to remember that the God who calls us His people has been hanging the stars in the heavens since time began. Just as He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.”

It's essentially a dual memoir - some chapters are written by Raechel and others by Amanda. They share the struggles they've faced and what they've learned about God (and His Word) during those times. As the summary says, “Sometimes it takes telling two very different stories to notice how the Truth was exactly the same in both of them.” And that's exactly what happened in these pages.

This isn't a book about how to study the Bible - though it does illustrate why you should. And it isn't a book about She Reads Truth, the ministry. If you're interested in what led them to create it, how they launched it, etc., you won't find that here. It's truly a book encouraging you to spend time in God's Word and to remember His faithfulness. The book felt a little bit repetitive at times, but I liked that their theme was pointing you to the permanence of God and His Word.

“The good news of the gospel is that our internal paradox of faith and faithlessness does not disqualify or dismiss us from the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”

Lately, I think I've treated reading the Bible like it's a duty and not a privilege. I'd misplaced that sense of awe and reverence, so She Reads Truth was a perfectly timed reminder and encouragement. I loved reading it, even though I did bawl my eyes out at one point, and I'm so glad this challenge was the catalyst. This vulnerable, relatable memoir (and call to action!) was just what I needed in this season of my life.

She Reads Truth by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams

Release Date: October 2016 | Publisher: B&H Publishing Group

Pages: 224 pages | Source & Format: Bought; Hardcover 

This was my third read for The Picky Pledge Reading Challenge that Alexa and I are doing in 2017! It's the perfect motivation to read books from my TBR and adds an extra dose of accountability, too. In addition to reading and reviewing one challenge book per month, we're answering three questions about each one!

1. How long has this book been on your TBR? 

I bought this book in October 2016, so not too long!

2. What about this book made you want to read it immediately?

I'm a big fan of She Reads Truth, but I had no idea that the women who started it were writing a book. While wandering around Barnes & Noble one night, the title and bright yellow on the cover caught my eye. I read a few pages and decided like I had to take it home to read immediately. Better late than never?

3. Why did you end up waiting to read this book?
Probably because it's non-fiction. Although I love reading non-fiction, I find that I'm more hesitant to pick it up. I think it's because it typically takes me longer to read because I don't "binge" it the way I would a fiction book. I kept it by my bedside for a few weeks before moving it to my bookcase when I realized I still hadn't started it.