Stromen van water

Sensible Shoes #4

by Sharon Garlough Brown, Tineke Tuinder (Translator)

In Stromen van water van Sharon Garlough Brown proberen Mara, Hannah, Charissa en Becca zich een weg te banen langs diepe vreugde en hartverscheurend verlies. Terwijl Mara worstelt met haar scheiding, probeert Hannah juist het geluk van haar nieuwe huwelijk te omarmen. Ondertussen voelt Charissa zich overweldigd door haar zwangerschap en is Becca in de rouw over het verlies van haar moeder en wordt ze geplaagd door schuldgevoelens. Lukt het de vier vrouwen om een nieuwe balans te vinden te midden van alle veranderingen?

Stromen van water is het vierde en laatste deel in de Reisgenoten-serie, een unieke set romans waarin het geloof een belangrijke rol speelt. De boeken zijn niet alleen als fictie te lezen, maar ook zeer geschikt om te gebruiken voor Bijbelstudiegroepen. Eerder verschenen in deze serie Reisgenoten, Kleuren van hoop en Een stap naar vrede.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Faith, Spirituality, Novels, Inspirational

400 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2018

About the author

Sharon Garlough Brown (MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary) is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and author. Her book "Sensible Shoes" was named one of television personality Kathie Lee Gifford's "favorite things" in March 2013, and her book "An Extra Mile" won Christianity Today's Fiction Book of the Year for 2019. She and her husband Jack have served congregations in Scotland, Oklahoma, England, and West Michigan, where they co-pastored a congregation for many years. They now direct Abiding Way Ministries, offering spiritual formation retreats and resources (abidingwaylife.com). Her latest book, "Feathers of Hope" (third in the Shades of Light series) released in April 2022.

Reviews

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm brokenhearted that I'm done with this series. I want more. I need more. I find myself praying and saying, "Lord, I'm being such a Charissa about this," and similar things.

Ms. Brown has created characters that I love, care about, want to visit and see and learn from. Watching their spiritual journeys has inspired new thoughts, more open communication with the Lord, and questioning of why I do and think and believe what I do (which is a good thing!)

Look, there are things in this book that I don't agree with. I disagree with some theological points, but honestly, that has actually made the story more important for me. Because agree or not, those characters had realistic struggles that Christians often do. And I needed to see what that looked like in my own life--how do I respond to people's spiritual struggles when I disagree with some of their life choices, or theological positions, or... anything, really. So...

Thank you, Sharon Garlough Brown--thank you for writing four amazing stories told through for equally amazing books with characters I might have a few theological (friendly) debates with but I would love and serve. Beautiful, poignant, hard-hitting, and soul inspiring, this series turned me to the Word so that I might experience all He has to teach and bless me with.

[Emma.catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First up - I ADORE THIS WHOLE SERIES
Secondly - I am extremely sad this is the final book

Part 1 started with Ps. 57:1 and I knew this book was going to be special…

I love how real the characters and their individual situations are. They don’t live in some made up world where everything goes their way all the time - they live in the real world with many real problems to face daily. This series has taught me it’s not about being perfect it’s about progress and learning that we are beloved by God not because of what we do but because we have faith in Him.

This book in particular was about going the extra mile (hence the title) and what that means to the different characters. You want my tunic? Take my cloak, too. You demand one mile from me? I’ll walk the extra one. Hannah says “It’s all about freedom…the first mile is demanded. The extra mile is freely given. Only the extra mile can be given as a gift of love from a posture of freedom….That’s the mile that can stun the world with its beauty and grace.”

Freedom.

Love.

Grace.

Isn’t that something we all want to give and receive?

All Sharon's novels take us on a healing journey. She cleverly intertwines engaging story with spiritual direction in a way that both draws us in and invites you to heal (she even includes a few key practices to try for ourselves). The characters or story is never rushes, but carries a steady and compelling pace through the process of transformation-much like God never rushes us through his plan for us.

This might even be my favourite book of the series! Needless to say I will be rereading this series again and again. It has a very special place in my heart 💜

Revelation 7:12 🤲

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped in to reading An Extra Mile without first reading the other three books in the Sensible Shoes series. While it took a moment to work out who the characters were, I was soon swept along in this tender and charming book.

This book is not just a novel, it is a book about spiritual formation cloaked in an easy to read format. I found it challenging but gentle, with topics which I was thinking about and applying to my own life in the days I read the book. The book really helped me in my journey with God. The only catch is the women in this book are painted so vividly I felt I knew them. I found myself wishing I could sit down and have a chat with Hannah, or at least eavesdrop on their Sensible Shoes Club.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sensible Shoes series is one of my absolute favorites.

Rarely have I read a book whose characters are as real and meaningful, and they truly "jump off the page". Its spiritual depth and wisdom extends beyond the story to challenge readers to consider and evaluate their own lives, and engage in their own spiritual formation if they choose. In profound and heartfelt ways, this series examines significant heart and life issues (like letting go of control, trusting God, perfectionism, identity, and loss) and discusses spiritual disciplines and practices (like prayerfully reading the Word (lectio divina), the prayer of examen, journaling, spiritual direction, and other ways of prayer) that can help sanctify and shape us, all through storytelling and characters which become mirrors for seeing ourselves more clearly (as well as serve as models for the disciplines specifically and Christian community generally).

In the fourth and last book, An Extra Mile, we continue on our journey with Mara, Hannah, Charissa, and Becca (who has a bigger role in Meg's absence). These women all have a lot to process and have challenges and struggles they are facing and grappling with as the story leads up to Good Friday and Easter. This book is very much a "resurrection" story, and even though it does not end all neat and tidy with a bow on top (in terms of circumstances), it nevertheless is a fulfilling conclusion as we leave the women with growing faith and trust, along with friendship, and the confident hope that, as Sharon Garlough Brown put it at the book launch party I attended, "all will be well".

Note there are mature themes/content (handled discreetly) and for that and also general comprehension and appreciation, I would recommend this series for adults (female primarily). I would also note to anyone wondering about the spiritual disciplines detailed or denomination-level differences (e.g., female pastors, which I personally don't agree with), don't let these points keep you from enjoying this series' meaningful characters and wise Biblical conversations and counsel; the disciplines at least are clearly supplemental tools for spiritual formation, not ever portrayed in a New Age mysticism/higher enlightenment sense at all.

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series! I'll say this is the best book of the series, because it ties up the story. The story is chick-lit drama. I read up to around p.300 in one sitting on Wed.
There are spiritual exercises, reflections, and Bible readings that are interwoven into the story and appended at the end. They encouraged me to do some journaling about spiritual dilemmas the characters had that I could relate to. I'm grateful my library hold came in this Easter Holy week because it made a fun, thoughtful, and religious accompaniment to my Easter season, which is when this last book takes place.

[Kaitlynn Eby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written. It holds conviction and encouragement. I firmly believe every woman could read this book and glean from it. 10/10 recommend.

[Julie Gentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up loving this series despite my original skepticism. The characters were so real and relatable and I enjoyed following their stories. I’m sad it’s over.

[Havebooks Willread · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series, for the most part. I'm not always comfortable with the "christian mysticism", but I do appreciate the themes of growing in the Lord and walking in community with fellow believers.

Quotes to save and ponder before I return the book:
"She hadn't considered the possibility that she could be the gift, that her life was the broken and fragrant offering, that her faith in the midst of everything that was dysfunctional and ugly was beautiful. Precious. Costly" (133).

"The peril of self-examination was that it could easily deteriorate to self-analysis and self-preoccupation and a myriad of other self-focused remedies that kept her looking at her sin and failures instead of at the cross" (135).

"The gift was seeing the enormity of her debt. Self-righteous Pharisees could not perceive the enormity of their debts. But prostitutes who had routinely offered themselves to all the false gods that did not satisfy--honor, achievement, admiration, esteem--prostitutes could perceive the enormity of their debts and receive the enormity of forgiveness. And when Pharisees were converted to seeing themselves as prostitutes, what a gift. What a gift of mercy and grace" (163).

"Palms down, cast all your cares on him. Palms up, receive God's care for you" (215).

"The spiritual life is about yielding to God's invitations" (269).

"If you take away my scar, you take away my story" (276).

"'Follow me', Jesus said. And like Peter, she was looking over shoulder to see how other people were doing it and objecting if their way looked easier. But it was none of her business what discipleship for others looked like, none of her business whether others were called to die in painful ways or whether they lived fruitful, comfortable lives of ease. None of her business" (309).

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Series

These books don't actually have a permanent home on my bookshelf because I'm always lending them out -- "you HAVE to read this!" There's so much more I could say, but... The joy is in the journey. These books have a way of finding people right when they most needed them.

[Jacalyn Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was s great series. They need to read in order. A fictional series with spiritual insight.

[Kriste · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing series, that touches on many difficult topics and shows, living your faith w/ prayer, honestly and support.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: The story of four women and their search for God and community. 

Good Christian fiction is hard. I am a very skeptical Christian fiction reader. I don't like books that are too preachy, or that are not realistic, or that wrap things up too nicely at the end. I don't like books like that because as much as fiction can be fantasy, good Christian fiction should be presenting a realistic picture of faith.

Generally I like my fiction to be much more subtle than this series is. But I honestly don't know how you would write a subtle story of spiritual formation. And so I really do recommend this series because I think it presents a fairly realistic view of spiritual formation. As I have said before, the main problem of the book is that the growth is too compressed. It is not that people do not have breakthroughs and do a significant amount of growth in a short period of time. But those breakthroughs are the result of a much longer period of preparation for growth.

This series of four books covers roughly a year of time. Four different women, a young newly married PhD student, a stay at home mom in a bad marriage, a widow in her 50s and a (single) pastor in her 40s on a sabbatical, met at a class about spiritual formation in the early fall. This fourth book covers spring through early summer. A lot has happened and even mentioning the plot points will be spoilers for the early books.

These are not perfect women, they are not magically healed of their past and their particular temptations and personalities that can be strengths in one area, are not strengths all the time. In part, what comes out through the series is that we need community in part because different people have different strengths (and weaknesses). And as is common in the series, we can harm people when we make assumptions about what people want based on our own preferences.

I just finished reading a very different fiction book and some of the realities of trauma and harm and I think there could have been additional development of discernment around trauma and harm. In life there will always be a bit of suffering. The problem is that submission to suffering in one case does not mean that submission to suffering in another case is right. This book (and the series) does explore that some. And I do think there are characters that make the wrong decisions are times, which does require reconciliation and forgiveness. No one is perfect at discernment. No one can perfectly understand all the ramifications of any one decision because they can't perfectly predict how others will react or how unknown realities will enter into a situation.

We can't do more than operate under the best we we can and seek both God's guidance and the guidance of those around us as well as identify our own internal emotions, needs and desires and evaluate them. Generally, things end up with growth in this book. But there can be long periods of time where we do not always seem to be growing. Or we are growing and that growth leads to greater awareness of our weaknesses so that it feels like we are not growing.

One of the problems of the spiritual formation movement isn't the desire for spiritual growth, but that we can think about spiritual growth as a type of self help or personal empowerment project that will inevitably lead to a "better life." It is easy to mix meritocracy and middle class biases into spiritual formation so that we evaluate others or ourselves in ways that are not particularly faithful to God's measurements. It is precisely this type of problem that is hard to deal with in fiction because the reader can only evaluate based on the actual plot and characters in front of them, the real world is just more complex than any fictional reality can reveal.

We are also always Christian within a culture. This book, and all books, are written in a cultural context. Christianity is not limited to a single cultural context. No book can be expected to present all cultural contexts in a single book. So it would be unfair to evaluate a book on what isn't shown. But it is precisely this point that people can assume that a fiction book is prescriptive and the only way something could have gone.

Fiction can create a view of the world that allows the reader to see one way forward. I was very engaged throughout the series. I stayed up later than I should have several nights. I look forward to reading additional books by Sharon Garlough Brown.

This was originally posted on my blog at https://bookwi.se/an-extra-mile/

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the other books in this series, I was impressed by the depth and beauty of this story. Some of the characters faced some very difficult things, but through it all, they learned to turn to the Lord more and relied on Him for the strength they needed for the different things they faced. It was a challenge and encouragement to me to rest in His love and follow His leading more closely.

Unfortunately, though, I wasn’t as impressed with this book as with the others for several reasons. I didn’t agree with one of the characters marrying a divorced man, there was a woman pastor in here, and another character was in a very unhealthy situation where she and those around her got drunk, wore revealing clothing, flirted, and several times there are mentions of intimacy—all of which was a bit more descriptive than I would have liked (although not as bad as it could have been).

This was a good story, though. Despite my disappointment at different points, I found it an encouraging read overall, and I’m not sad I read it. All of the characters are special to me, and I loved seeing Sharon Garlough Brown’s prowess as she brought the different ones to life. She’s a talented author, and it’s always a privilege to read books by someone who has a thorough understanding of the writing craft.

[Candace Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished all 4 books in this series and LOVED it. It is unlike other fiction I have read before. It wasn’t a fast moving thriller type story line. But as I got about halfway through the first book I loved the characters. This book was fiction but also encourages the readers spiritual growth. What I loved about these characters is that they were everyday women with everyday struggles but through the course of these 4 books you see their personal growth and how they learned surrender and prayer and how to find Jesus in all their moments.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this final book in the series just as much as the others. What a gift! I treasure the experience of reading these women’s stories and walking with them through their spiritual journeys. All of the spiritual exercises at the end of the books are such a treasure also. So thankful I read this series.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I checked this book out I didn’t realize it was the last in the series and that might be the reason that it seemed confusing and boring. Unless the first 3 in the series, which I don’t plan on reading, are much better a 3 star rating is being generous.

[Amanda Tranmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Christian fiction series I have ever read. These books are so much more than novels. I suggest reading it with a small group of friends like I did. You'll become better friends. You'll know Jesus better. I'm so sad it's over! But the changes to my heart and mind and relationships are lasting.

[Bryan Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series that started out as spiritually challenging and attention gripping has descended into a soapie with a predictable ending plus a few spiritual exercises that attempt unsuccessfully to keep it on the original track.

[Dee Kohler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. 3/4 were super good and helpful.

[Emily Grabatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enriching finish to this series walking through the spiritual formation of four women. I enjoyed the real emotions and struggles of the women, and growth beyond Christian pat answers.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This last book of this series is so good!! This book had a good ending to it!! The Extra Mile has come at a perfect time to celebrate His Resurrection! I am sad it has come to an end with these four women’s spiritual journey! I would love this book series’s to come alive in a movie!! I can’t recommend this series enough to readers!!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My biggest disappointment with this book was learning that it was going to be the final installment in the Sensible Shoes series! I'd love to keep journeying with Hannah, Mara, Charissa and Meg through Rebecca and yet, I feel like it was a wonderful conclusion in a lot of ways-- the entire series spans over less than a year in the life of these 4 women-- but the growth we see each of them experience is tremendous.

When you are open to exploring your own character and faults, to trying to be the person God created you to be and embrace not just the successes that come your way and good things, but also your failures and the suffering-- embracing all of it as a gift that allows you to grow as a person-- amazing things can happen in you and through you. It starts with taking that first step of developing spiritual disciplines and having accountability in your life.

May God bless each of your richly as you take your own spiritual journey!

December 2019 Update- I recently had these books returned to me after loaning them to a friend last year. I re-read all 4 lightening fast, as one does with this series. ♥️. But when I finished them, I picked this one back up to re-read slowly- doing all of the prayer exercises for myself and answering the questions. It was timely for me to do, as I'm in a season of trying to embrace God's Call in my life.

[Jenn Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farewell friends

I’ve loved this series and it seems sad to be saying farewell to these sensible shoes friends. There is a wealth of wisdom in this book and I know I’ll read it many times and be challenged in different ways each time.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not chick-lit. Funny, not so funny, that men can write books about men and women and women have learned just fine and enjoyed the stories, but a women writes a story of 4 women with their men involved also, and it's chick-lit?! Sorry, rant over.

I can't say that the last book, An Extra Mile, is any less real than the first three in this series. There were times when I would think I wanted to ask the characters, who I thought were least like me, what were they thinking. Then, there were the characters that I felt sorry for because, of course, I resonated with their feelings and actions. I had been there, done that. The parents of the main women continue to be a rather disappointing lot which I did not like. I take that back. Abby's mom is likable (Abby's mom doesn't figure much into the story, however). Also, to you the reader: persevere through the reading if you find yourself like I did thinking, "Wow, their treatment of the bad character is as bad as the character him or herself." Eventually, good comes into the story.

Since my own siblings are my sensible shoes group, I do want to share this series with them. I'll need to buy my own set to keep because I'll want to keep coming back to the spiritual formation practices within the book (easily accessed both as separate pages and at the end of the book).

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

p. 174, "You invite me to trust you as Redeemer, Lord. Not to expect you to be the God who fixes broken things or prevents the brokenness from happening, but to trust you to be the One who redeems broken things, makes your presence known in the midst of all that is broken and keeps us company as we grieve. You do make all things well. All shall be well means that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we don't have to be afraid - not because nothing bad will happen to us in this life, but because God is with us in anything and everything that happens to us in this life."

P. 215-6, "This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end....The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore, I will hope in him."

p. 217, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope...keeping watch for the dawn, waiting in the darkness confident that God's light will shine."

p. 258, " A sunset sort of person - able to reflect on the past naming the losses and processing the upheaval. Sunrise person - practice the posture of keeping watch for the dawn, naming what's rising the new life and identifying what God might be calling me to do. Watching in the darkness for the sunrise, waiting for that light to break forth, anticipatory with hope."
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[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
I listened to this on hoopla, since my library doesn’t have a copy of this final book in the Sensible Shoes series. I like the way the author wound up this story of the spiritual and relational journeys of four very different women, brought together unexpectedly in sisterhood and friendship. It wasn’t wrapped up with a bow, the way many Christian novelists tend to do (and which is why I don’t read very much Christian fiction). I loved the stories of these women, the ways in which their faith in Jesus was challenged and developed. I loved hearing more about Becca, Meg’s daughter, and Mara, seeing her strength and freedom blossom in credible ways.
The Audiobook was narrated well, but for this series I definitely prefer a physical book, for the sake of the spiritual exercises outlined in them - perhaps my most favorite part of this series. I’ve loved taking notes on those exercises, and intend to go back to them myself. I love the way faith is exercised through creativity and imagination in this series, not simply through intellect or relationships. The theology of this series was moving and challenging for me and I have a feeling I will reread it again in The future

[Shovorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been in love with the series since I started the book years ago. I've recommended it to so many people. I rated all of the first three books a 5 but I felt disappointed with this one. Sarah Garlough Brown is undoubtedly one of the best writers. One of disappointments is that the books have so many characters, and there is only one black character, Jeremy, and he is the sweetest , loveliest guy, compared to some of the other characters, yet he is branded with some very ungodly stereotypes:

•Weed smoker
•Alcoholic
•Absent father
•Cant afford to keep a roof over his head and has to borrow money from in-laws
• May have to live in his mum's basement
•Charissa thinks about security cameras etc when he approached her house (she was never sorry for her judgment based on his skin colour)


He is one of the only male characters that shows he really works yet he portrayed as broke. All the white males regardless of their character, nice or not, seem to be financially comfortable without any clear or serious jobs...make it make sense

There's enough evil and bias towards black men in the world already, we don't want it portrayed by our Christian writers too!

[Francis Taiwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! What a journey. I hate to say goodbye to these literary friends that I've come to love in this perfect blend of a riveting story. I love how thought-provoking this journey has been so far, getting to know these characters, knowing all of their stories, and identifying with their imperfections. This is a book I will not be forgetting for a long time because of how it has impacted me. May we understand the depth of the Father's Love for us and bask in it. And here's something I learned about prayer thanks to this book, God sees it all and whether He answers us in the exact way we expect or not, He ALWAYS hears us, so don't stop praying, sometimes we need to Wait, go slow and trust that God is gently tending to seeds that have been planted and we don't need to rush the process. Keep praying. The Spiritual Journey is not one paved with smooth stones and Lillies, it's a process and a daily pilgrimage of discovering all that God has called you to be one failure, mistakes and imperfection at a time and might I add, success stories too because God brings that to play too. I highly recommend this book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read a fiction novel that can reach me spiritually. Four women. Four walks of life. All of the life experiences are here to see. At times, it was a bit overly spiritual for me, but it didn't stop me. There are life lessons to be learned here if we take the time to ponder and accept that there are things about our walk with God that we don't know. I can't say that I would be friends with any of these women because there were times with all four when I wanted to smack them (not literally). Decisions they made that I said out loud would come back to bite them, and yes, they did. I think one of the biggest lessons to learn is if we are Christian mothers and we have adult children not following the path that WE think they should, we need to let them find their own way. You can't force God on them because, most times, they won't accept what we want but will push back. But also, the one thing you can't say is, 'I told you so'. These characters were as real as you and me and suffered just like all of us, but by holding on to friendships, it is better to get through the tough times.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entire series in less than 3 weeks, after several false starts. The synopsis didn't sound like something I'd enjoy and I found it hard to get past the first chapter, however, I continued because it was part of a reading challenge. I'm so glad I did. I have had an interesting spiritual experience these past two weeks, and it's amazing that this was spurred by a work of fiction. First of all, the 4 ladies are so relatable and so are their journeys. I love how the ups and downs and the internal struggles that we have as Christians were presented. I found it helpful doing some of the reflections and practices, and I like the idea of opening up my palms to remind myself to let go of trying to control stuff. I feel a lot more hopeful most of the time and when I catch myself worrying, I remind myself of some of the lessons I learned. I have begun to practice the Lectio Divina during my bible reading and I intend to incorporate the Daily Examen too. I must add that it was a super interesting story too, and I didn't want it to end.