What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gay Preacher's Wife: How My Gay Husband Deconstructed My Life and Reconstructed My Faith
The deeply personal memoir of Lydia Meredith, a woman who spent almost thirty years married to a preacher—only to have her husband leave her for a man—and how her life becomes a testimony of tolerance and a theology of love and acceptance.
After being married to Reverend Dennis A. Meredith for almost thirty years, Lydia Meredith discovers a shocking the love of her life left her for a man. Now, Lydia opens up for the first time about how that revelation shattered her world—and strengthened her faith.
With her life turned upside down, Lydia struggled to put the pieces of her broken heart back together and that led her to pursue understanding through an accredited theological education. She wanted a way to put her family back together and she found Jesus’ ministry and teachings were “actually” about teaching tolerance and love for people who are labeled different.
Candid, honest, and incredibly touching, Lydia Meredith shows that faith and perseverance can get you through any challenge life throws your way.
After being married to Reverend Dennis A. Meredith for almost thirty years, Lydia Meredith discovers a shocking the love of her life left her for a man. Now, Lydia opens up for the first time about how that revelation shattered her world—and strengthened her faith.
With her life turned upside down, Lydia struggled to put the pieces of her broken heart back together and that led her to pursue understanding through an accredited theological education. She wanted a way to put her family back together and she found Jesus’ ministry and teachings were “actually” about teaching tolerance and love for people who are labeled different.
Candid, honest, and incredibly touching, Lydia Meredith shows that faith and perseverance can get you through any challenge life throws your way.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
11 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 8, 2018
Oh my Freakin' Goodness this is one of the worst self-help church-bashings and insanities I've ever come across.
pg. 234
"Not judging does not mean you ignore reckless behavior."
This entire book is filled with reckless behavior: sexually, theologically, ethically, morally, financially, materially, spiritually, and comically. Then she proceeds to judge and condemn all those who Conservatively don't agree with her gay black social gospel agenda.
She failed to notice that the Bible is a huge book of judgement: it shows us how to properly judge values, ethics, morality, family, the church, business, AND SEX. But Lydia has it all backwards. She even gives us some extremely pornographic examples that NO-Christian woman would consider mentioning in a book. It almost seems she brags and boasts about it. (please - some things: just keep for yourself. Simply saying your man is actively gay is more than enough.)
So the Gay Preacher's Wife is all about poor hardworking wife and Mom "Lydia Meredith", and her dangerous confused tolerance involving a few Black Social Gospel church communities and families. (she even tries to tie in civil rights issues and sexual rights to prove her point. That is just silly)
I try so hard to partially feel pity for those angry Black Lives Matter victims - but this book doesn't help. Apparently their problems are 100% in house (or IN-FAMILY) as this tale shows. Now i've been going to mostly conservative white churches for around 40 years --- and NOTHING i've ever seen matches the Freakin' retarded spiritual crap in this book - and i've seen some church crap. (and I don't mean the Gay stuff). If this is how the majority of black Christians are behaving and THINKING then lets just rename these churches BLACK VEGAS SOCIAL BROTHEL AND CASINO EMPORIUMS: Jesus is most likely busy somewhere else (maybe with the Chinese?)
So Lydia tries to take Mommy's suggestion and marry for success.
page 43
"I wanted someone who could bring wealth to the relationship."
Hmmm? She gets a Bi-sexual handsome man who then spends the rest of his days in pornography and weird Gay scenarios - who then brings home STD's and even secret boyfriends - oh, and he becomes a somewhat successful Preacher Man. Sure, they tried the family thing and had 3 boys (one who ends up equally confused spiritually and sexually, and flounders through basic drug and Daddy problems. Let's not even bother with the other two for now - lets just say "Black Social Gospel for everyone".
Now if that isn't weird enough - she also claims God spoke to her and insisted she marry porn-man preacher.
"...and God's voice emerged in my broken spirit, saying, Dennis Meredith will be your husband."
Often, the voice in your broken spirit: IS YOU. Or possibly Satan and his buddies, or maybe your inner lusts and insecurities. So is all this God's fault? Well, the voice didn't actually say it was a good idea or prophecy - just general stupidness and immorality that can't be denied. But it's safe to say this is the beginning of all errors in this book. Now she actually shows that some elders in her church might have actually had some discernment: they recognized a false preacher in their midst... But Lydia mostly denies this and accuses these folks of being judgmental and NOT open to the spirit. She still does this even today. This is the basic curse that all those with God-given discernment must embrace: people don't like when God says "NO" or calls out evil and untruth.
This lady gets 1 star for simply attempting to share her story. But she also uses her abused life to demand others follow her current revelations about sex and love and God's truth. That is the bit that has me miffed. (no hate here - I'd love to get to know this lady. But I doubt we'd agree on much: other than her cooking)
She seems to have no understanding of God's holiness or purity. She bends every law and bit of scripture she can to defend her current surroundings and emotions. Sadly, she eventually ends up at Andy Stanley's church (and he's not a real big fan of the Bible as God's factual Word to a sinful planet either... yes, yes Lydia - it's all in the translation you say).
This lady takes a few liberal Bible courses and assumes she's spiritually enlightened and can now see how the Bible actually agrees with her views. (I wish I had a dollar for...)
She even confusingly states: (pg. 234)
"What happened to the SIN NO MORE part? Some churches have become a place of mercy but not a place of truth and accountability. Some churches have truth and accountability but no mercy. Some churches have neither."
The problem is this lady doesn't understand SIN or truth. Or Jesus. Actually - there's very little Jesus in this entire book. Sure, there's lots of emotional social gospel and revival type crap, but no Jesus dying for our sins. Sin is not a word that black churches seem to take seriously at all. (don't get all self-righteous: white churches have words that they don't take seriously either). Lydia shows us endlessly how Black preachers are handsome, rich, womanizing, fleecers of the flock, prideful, social justice showmen. But then she claims they are men of god??? being used by god???? for the good of god???? What the HELL?! Maybe, just maybe - these are NOT men of God. I know, I'm just going out on a limb here - these are Satan's children doing HIS will. Remember all that bit in the Bible about living in the flesh and sexual immorality? Nope? didn't think so.
Please go read 2 Peter. It'll take you 3 minutes. I'll even post some here:
False Prophets and Teachers (2nd Peter)
1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies... 2And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. 12But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
17These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Well wasn't that fun? This whole book was her poor attempts to complain about false black preachers and church-goers --- while attempting to separate those wonderful loving GLBTQ etc. from what God dares to call sin. She wants to condemn one - yet wants to support sexual immorality at the same time. She just wants to redefine it.
Now, you don't go to hell for being gay, or having gay thoughts or desires. I may have the same problems with Ice Cream and action movies. But as a heaven bound Christian: You can't take the abuse of these things with you to God's paradise. If God says "NO" - then that settles that issue. WE are to obey: no matter how much we WANT/DESIRE/CRAVE a feeling or emotion.
I find it rather amusing that Gay people go on and on about being Gay (or GLBTQ...). I know heterosexual people who never mention sex. They aren't married, Have no time for Porn or lust (far as I know?) and deal with other temptations and desires.
The problem isn't having gay desires - it's feeding and making those desires into the meaning of your existence. We are here to glorify God and know him: NOT TO BE GAY or HETEROSEXUAL.
The final chapter is very interesting: Eight Signs That Your Partner may be gay.
Now if you use words like Partner; then there's probably gay going on. Just saying. Lady starts this chapter by stating a blanket obvious "I spent a lot of time in my marriage being clueless." Sure, sure, she has no problem claiming hindsight --- but the weird issue is that she claims to be clued in NOW. Honestly, very little has changed: she's now trying to justify her present mindset and scenario. Here goes:
THIS LADY HAS ZERO DISCERNMENT
Okay, I said it. This isn't the end of the world for Lydia. She has many of other spiritual gifts: Discernment just isn't one of them. She's compassionate, giving, loving, hard-working, organized, trustworthy... just Zero discernment. My gift is Biblical truth AND discernment - but I fail at many of her gifts. For that reason you don't see me writing books about compassion and being nice. The truth is seldom nice. Even God's truth of hell and justice and WRATH are not nice. God's election is even less nice (YES, it's in the Bible. God reaches down and saves SOME sinners. Get over it!)
Okay, I gotta throw this out there:
She mentions her son and husband are naturally gay. Then she mentions that both her son and husband were sexually abused during their childhoods? I'm sorry, what? Nobody else see's the connect? Okay, carry on then.
(Imagine, somebody takes your new car and drives it into a tree --- it now pulls to the left and leaks oil... yet you say it must have been designed that way by the almighty Henry Ford.) Children who are sexualized at young ages: may become confused and rewired. This does not make it God-ordained and natural. Just broken. Don't put your science before your lab-mice.
She mentions 2 verses from Proverbs 3. (verses 3 and 4 actually) But she fails to comprehend all of it. Here it is:
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
Basically, Lydia ignores every 2nd line in that prophecy and teaching: Don't forget teachings and commandments, Don't lean on your own understandings, don't pretend to be wise in your own eyes, turn away from evil, honor God with your wealth, don't despise God's discipline or be weary of reproof (YES, i'm reproofing you right now), Go find Biblical Wisdom. NOW!
This book ends insanely:
"My X-husband told me that for most of his life he contemplated suicide; and that battling cancer he promised God, "God, if you let me live, I promise I will be a voice for gay men and women in America." Today, Dennis only thinks about living."
And her discernment is shut off once again. Maybe her god can squeeze in just one more gay-social black revival. (best not to build this voice on a thousand other lies and broken promises. Hmmm...)
pg. 234
"Not judging does not mean you ignore reckless behavior."
This entire book is filled with reckless behavior: sexually, theologically, ethically, morally, financially, materially, spiritually, and comically. Then she proceeds to judge and condemn all those who Conservatively don't agree with her gay black social gospel agenda.
She failed to notice that the Bible is a huge book of judgement: it shows us how to properly judge values, ethics, morality, family, the church, business, AND SEX. But Lydia has it all backwards. She even gives us some extremely pornographic examples that NO-Christian woman would consider mentioning in a book. It almost seems she brags and boasts about it. (please - some things: just keep for yourself. Simply saying your man is actively gay is more than enough.)
So the Gay Preacher's Wife is all about poor hardworking wife and Mom "Lydia Meredith", and her dangerous confused tolerance involving a few Black Social Gospel church communities and families. (she even tries to tie in civil rights issues and sexual rights to prove her point. That is just silly)
I try so hard to partially feel pity for those angry Black Lives Matter victims - but this book doesn't help. Apparently their problems are 100% in house (or IN-FAMILY) as this tale shows. Now i've been going to mostly conservative white churches for around 40 years --- and NOTHING i've ever seen matches the Freakin' retarded spiritual crap in this book - and i've seen some church crap. (and I don't mean the Gay stuff). If this is how the majority of black Christians are behaving and THINKING then lets just rename these churches BLACK VEGAS SOCIAL BROTHEL AND CASINO EMPORIUMS: Jesus is most likely busy somewhere else (maybe with the Chinese?)
So Lydia tries to take Mommy's suggestion and marry for success.
page 43
"I wanted someone who could bring wealth to the relationship."
Hmmm? She gets a Bi-sexual handsome man who then spends the rest of his days in pornography and weird Gay scenarios - who then brings home STD's and even secret boyfriends - oh, and he becomes a somewhat successful Preacher Man. Sure, they tried the family thing and had 3 boys (one who ends up equally confused spiritually and sexually, and flounders through basic drug and Daddy problems. Let's not even bother with the other two for now - lets just say "Black Social Gospel for everyone".
Now if that isn't weird enough - she also claims God spoke to her and insisted she marry porn-man preacher.
"...and God's voice emerged in my broken spirit, saying, Dennis Meredith will be your husband."
Often, the voice in your broken spirit: IS YOU. Or possibly Satan and his buddies, or maybe your inner lusts and insecurities. So is all this God's fault? Well, the voice didn't actually say it was a good idea or prophecy - just general stupidness and immorality that can't be denied. But it's safe to say this is the beginning of all errors in this book. Now she actually shows that some elders in her church might have actually had some discernment: they recognized a false preacher in their midst... But Lydia mostly denies this and accuses these folks of being judgmental and NOT open to the spirit. She still does this even today. This is the basic curse that all those with God-given discernment must embrace: people don't like when God says "NO" or calls out evil and untruth.
This lady gets 1 star for simply attempting to share her story. But she also uses her abused life to demand others follow her current revelations about sex and love and God's truth. That is the bit that has me miffed. (no hate here - I'd love to get to know this lady. But I doubt we'd agree on much: other than her cooking)
She seems to have no understanding of God's holiness or purity. She bends every law and bit of scripture she can to defend her current surroundings and emotions. Sadly, she eventually ends up at Andy Stanley's church (and he's not a real big fan of the Bible as God's factual Word to a sinful planet either... yes, yes Lydia - it's all in the translation you say).
This lady takes a few liberal Bible courses and assumes she's spiritually enlightened and can now see how the Bible actually agrees with her views. (I wish I had a dollar for...)
She even confusingly states: (pg. 234)
"What happened to the SIN NO MORE part? Some churches have become a place of mercy but not a place of truth and accountability. Some churches have truth and accountability but no mercy. Some churches have neither."
The problem is this lady doesn't understand SIN or truth. Or Jesus. Actually - there's very little Jesus in this entire book. Sure, there's lots of emotional social gospel and revival type crap, but no Jesus dying for our sins. Sin is not a word that black churches seem to take seriously at all. (don't get all self-righteous: white churches have words that they don't take seriously either). Lydia shows us endlessly how Black preachers are handsome, rich, womanizing, fleecers of the flock, prideful, social justice showmen. But then she claims they are men of god??? being used by god???? for the good of god???? What the HELL?! Maybe, just maybe - these are NOT men of God. I know, I'm just going out on a limb here - these are Satan's children doing HIS will. Remember all that bit in the Bible about living in the flesh and sexual immorality? Nope? didn't think so.
Please go read 2 Peter. It'll take you 3 minutes. I'll even post some here:
False Prophets and Teachers (2nd Peter)
1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies... 2And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. 12But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
17These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Well wasn't that fun? This whole book was her poor attempts to complain about false black preachers and church-goers --- while attempting to separate those wonderful loving GLBTQ etc. from what God dares to call sin. She wants to condemn one - yet wants to support sexual immorality at the same time. She just wants to redefine it.
Now, you don't go to hell for being gay, or having gay thoughts or desires. I may have the same problems with Ice Cream and action movies. But as a heaven bound Christian: You can't take the abuse of these things with you to God's paradise. If God says "NO" - then that settles that issue. WE are to obey: no matter how much we WANT/DESIRE/CRAVE a feeling or emotion.
I find it rather amusing that Gay people go on and on about being Gay (or GLBTQ...). I know heterosexual people who never mention sex. They aren't married, Have no time for Porn or lust (far as I know?) and deal with other temptations and desires.
The problem isn't having gay desires - it's feeding and making those desires into the meaning of your existence. We are here to glorify God and know him: NOT TO BE GAY or HETEROSEXUAL.
The final chapter is very interesting: Eight Signs That Your Partner may be gay.
Now if you use words like Partner; then there's probably gay going on. Just saying. Lady starts this chapter by stating a blanket obvious "I spent a lot of time in my marriage being clueless." Sure, sure, she has no problem claiming hindsight --- but the weird issue is that she claims to be clued in NOW. Honestly, very little has changed: she's now trying to justify her present mindset and scenario. Here goes:
THIS LADY HAS ZERO DISCERNMENT
Okay, I said it. This isn't the end of the world for Lydia. She has many of other spiritual gifts: Discernment just isn't one of them. She's compassionate, giving, loving, hard-working, organized, trustworthy... just Zero discernment. My gift is Biblical truth AND discernment - but I fail at many of her gifts. For that reason you don't see me writing books about compassion and being nice. The truth is seldom nice. Even God's truth of hell and justice and WRATH are not nice. God's election is even less nice (YES, it's in the Bible. God reaches down and saves SOME sinners. Get over it!)
Okay, I gotta throw this out there:
She mentions her son and husband are naturally gay. Then she mentions that both her son and husband were sexually abused during their childhoods? I'm sorry, what? Nobody else see's the connect? Okay, carry on then.
(Imagine, somebody takes your new car and drives it into a tree --- it now pulls to the left and leaks oil... yet you say it must have been designed that way by the almighty Henry Ford.) Children who are sexualized at young ages: may become confused and rewired. This does not make it God-ordained and natural. Just broken. Don't put your science before your lab-mice.
She mentions 2 verses from Proverbs 3. (verses 3 and 4 actually) But she fails to comprehend all of it. Here it is:
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
Basically, Lydia ignores every 2nd line in that prophecy and teaching: Don't forget teachings and commandments, Don't lean on your own understandings, don't pretend to be wise in your own eyes, turn away from evil, honor God with your wealth, don't despise God's discipline or be weary of reproof (YES, i'm reproofing you right now), Go find Biblical Wisdom. NOW!
This book ends insanely:
"My X-husband told me that for most of his life he contemplated suicide; and that battling cancer he promised God, "God, if you let me live, I promise I will be a voice for gay men and women in America." Today, Dennis only thinks about living."
And her discernment is shut off once again. Maybe her god can squeeze in just one more gay-social black revival. (best not to build this voice on a thousand other lies and broken promises. Hmmm...)
August 6, 2019
Lydia Meredith's memoir about being married to an adulterous preacher was interesting and thought-provoking, however I found the title to be deceiving, as I don't think it's fair to give her husband so much credit. I believe it was her husband's infidelity (not his sexual orientation) that ruined their marriage, and it was her son's homosexuality that allowed her to open her mind about the LGBT community. Kudos to her for being able to find the forgiveness in her heart needed to overcome many challenges.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2017
“The Gay Preacher’s Wife” is a memoir that reveals the multiple decades journey of its author as she honestly and forthrightly explores the black church, its theology and practices regarding sexuality, her personal self-examination and growth into self-awareness, her marriage/family life, and her transformation into seeing herself, her family, her faith, Jesus and doctrine from a new enlightened perspective.
Lydia Meredith in raw, shocking, and passionate openness exposes the good and the not so good of her childhood, her church experiences, her family, and the depths of soul, thoughts and actions. She tells the reader her story of love and deep pain and her valiant effort to get through each event of life all while denying unpleasant and ugly truths.
This memoir chronicles well and leads the reader to how Lydia Meredith undertook the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding her soul, her spirit, her theology, her family, in essence, her life. The foundation for this overhaul was Lydia’s discovery of Jesus’ ministry and teaching. This discovery launched, for Lydia, achieving healing, recovery and preparation for His service in the future.
This moving memoir is worth every page!
Lydia Meredith in raw, shocking, and passionate openness exposes the good and the not so good of her childhood, her church experiences, her family, and the depths of soul, thoughts and actions. She tells the reader her story of love and deep pain and her valiant effort to get through each event of life all while denying unpleasant and ugly truths.
This memoir chronicles well and leads the reader to how Lydia Meredith undertook the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding her soul, her spirit, her theology, her family, in essence, her life. The foundation for this overhaul was Lydia’s discovery of Jesus’ ministry and teaching. This discovery launched, for Lydia, achieving healing, recovery and preparation for His service in the future.
This moving memoir is worth every page!
May 4, 2017
The Gay Preacher's Wife by Lydia Meredith is a deep memoir. Inside, I followed her journey as an African American women. Just being in that category is hard enough. Then, to add to the fact her husband had lied to her for the past 30-years. Well, it was easy to sympathize with her. I can only imagine how hard that was to deal with after finding out. Having a man lineage his wife for an reason is hard on the soul and heart. Lydia Meredith's husband left her for another man. Wow. I wouldn't know how to handle that scenario myself, if placed in the same situation. Her journey was emotional and interesting. I believe the writer dealt with the situation in the best ways possible. I can't judge her nor her husband. Life is complicated, messy, and hear shattering. Readers can easily connect with Lydia as her words engage them further into her life. Overall, this personal memoir took great faith and courage to share. I recommend it to others.
Danielle Urban
AAMBC Reviewer
Danielle Urban
AAMBC Reviewer
July 15, 2022
The good: I appreciate the author’s approach to the Bible and her own understanding and evolving view of faith. I think the first chapter handles deconstructing homophobic Christian ideology well.
The bad: the author is not a particularly adept writer and the whole story felt very surface and without a lot of deeper understanding. It also features one of the most terribly written “sex” scenes I’ve encountered to date (fear not pearl clutchers, it’s very short and extremely tame to the point of being clinical). I also hate her husband. Nothing about this story paints him in a good light and unfortunately the point and structure of the book sort of directs that towards his sexuality rather than his just being a somewhat shit person. Would love to have heard more about her experience with her son, which seems more transformative, over that mess.
Overall meh. I had hoped this might be worth tossing in my church library but I think I’ll give that a pass.
The bad: the author is not a particularly adept writer and the whole story felt very surface and without a lot of deeper understanding. It also features one of the most terribly written “sex” scenes I’ve encountered to date (fear not pearl clutchers, it’s very short and extremely tame to the point of being clinical). I also hate her husband. Nothing about this story paints him in a good light and unfortunately the point and structure of the book sort of directs that towards his sexuality rather than his just being a somewhat shit person. Would love to have heard more about her experience with her son, which seems more transformative, over that mess.
Overall meh. I had hoped this might be worth tossing in my church library but I think I’ll give that a pass.
July 28, 2021
Beautiful book. Not fun but painful. Only those who have gone through such an experience may understand and relate to this book.
It is painful to wake up one day to find out that you have been held hostage in a closet that someone else choose to put you in. He goes out of that closet and becomes a hero for coming out and been himself . And you stuck there loosing hope and faith in humanity. You become the invisible victim who has no right to complain who has to set there and applaud for that hero who been celebrated for being true to himself . No one sees the other side of the closet, the victims he left behind.
It is painful to wake up one day to find out that you have been held hostage in a closet that someone else choose to put you in. He goes out of that closet and becomes a hero for coming out and been himself . And you stuck there loosing hope and faith in humanity. You become the invisible victim who has no right to complain who has to set there and applaud for that hero who been celebrated for being true to himself . No one sees the other side of the closet, the victims he left behind.
October 30, 2018
I cannot not pass judgement on how Lydia chose to live her life. I will say that my level of tolerance would not have resulted in staying in the situation almost thirty years. But right or wrong, it was her choice. I do agree that the Churches should be a "help" to the community, and that the Ministers should not talk just the talk, but also must walk the walk. Ministers should be held to a higher standard, but they are still humans just like the rest of us and should be held accountable for their actions.
January 17, 2018
This was a hard read. Very difficult for me to finish. I started it months ago and kept putting it down. It just didn’t hold my attention and didn’t flow at all. She tells her story of how she tried to keep her marriage together even though her preacher husband was gay and cheating but it’s all over the place. It’s choppy and somewhat boring. I give it 2 stars and that’s being generous.
July 9, 2017
A great read, could not put it down. The author was open and honest about her feelings and the trials and tribulations she faced as she journeyed through life. The love for her family could be felt through the raw emotions described in the book. Can't wait for her next book
July 30, 2024
Awesome read
I’ve known the Meredith’s for decades and was shocked to hear their story. I moved to Atlanta a decade ago and reached out to Dennis. He has refused to see me. Lydia was always a class act. I’m sad things turned out this was. I pray for the family.
I’ve known the Meredith’s for decades and was shocked to hear their story. I moved to Atlanta a decade ago and reached out to Dennis. He has refused to see me. Lydia was always a class act. I’m sad things turned out this was. I pray for the family.
July 8, 2017
a story about a preacher's wife whose husband left her after 30 years for a man. An interesting read.
March 16, 2019
Good Read
Very good read with honest accounts of what she went through...good and bad. I can only imagine how hard it was to relive this.
Very good read with honest accounts of what she went through...good and bad. I can only imagine how hard it was to relive this.
August 13, 2019
Pretty amazing story
February 6, 2017
I think this book offered an excellent perspective. I am so amazed with Lydia's ability to forgive. This book speaks strongly feelings I already had about the church - that it should love and serve the community, not just pass judgement on Sunday mornings. I would say it didn't challenge me much, as I decided to read it knowing that the beliefs in the book were beliefs that I also had, but I think if people could go into it with an open mind, it could teach them a lot. I would definitely recommend this book. It was an easy read. The only thing I didn't really like is how the chronological order of events were interspersed throughout the book. Each chapter was its own mini story, and it was easy to get confused about when certain things happened, as they were mentioned multiple times but within different perspectives.
November 13, 2016
I thought I would love this. I didn't, and I don't know why. I just realized that I never even marked it as read on Goodreads.
It's been over a month since I read it. I don't remember why it left me so cold. Nor do I remember liking anyone involved in this story.
But it was well-written from a different perspective.
Review copy from NetGalley.
It's been over a month since I read it. I don't remember why it left me so cold. Nor do I remember liking anyone involved in this story.
But it was well-written from a different perspective.
Review copy from NetGalley.
November 26, 2016
Educational and raw truth
This was a great book. She kept it 100 at all times. A lot of people have been in similar situations and turned a blind eye. I'm proud of her for being able to pick up the pieces of her life and rebuild.
This was a great book. She kept it 100 at all times. A lot of people have been in similar situations and turned a blind eye. I'm proud of her for being able to pick up the pieces of her life and rebuild.
January 13, 2017
This book was great. I'll recommend to anyone. it definitely opened up my eyes pertaining to God and his blessings. LOVED. Don't let love blind you from the obvious.
April 27, 2017
The Gay Preacher's Wife by Lydia Meredith is a deep memoir. Inside, I followed her journey as an African American women. Just being in that category is hard enough. Then, to add to the fact her husband had lied to her for the past 30-years. Well, it was easy to sympathize with her. I can only imagine how hard that was to deal with after finding out. Having a man lineage his wife for an reason is hard on the soul and heart. Lydia Meredith's husband left her for another man. Wow. I wouldn't know how to handle that scenario myself, if placed in the same situation. Her journey was emotional and interesting. I believe the writer dealt with the situation in the best ways possible. I can't judge her nor her husband. Life is complicated, messy, and hear shattering. Readers can easily connect with Lydia as her words engage them further into her life. Overall, this personal memoir took great faith and courage to share. I recommend it to others. (I received this book from the publisher.)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews