True You: Letting Go of Your False Self to Uncover the Person God Created

by Michelle DeRusha

Many of us are bent on producing and achieving, striving and hustling for our self-worth. Beneath this relentless drive churns a deep yearning to uncover our true selves and our purpose in this world. Gardeners familiar with the technique called "pruning open" know that the secret to healthy plants and trees lies in subtracting rather than adding. Similarly, we begin to flourish as we let go of our false selves and allow God to prune us open.With powerful stories and revealing research, Michelle DeRusha helps learn how to declutter their hearts, minds, and souls through the practice of directed rest- let go of busyness, striving, and false identities to embrace their truest selves as beloved children of God- grow in their relationships, vocations, communities, and intimacy with GodTrue You offers those exhausted by the pervasive do-more, be-more messages of our society a path toward rest, renewal, and, ultimately, wholeness in Christ.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Spirituality, Inspirational, Christian Non Fiction

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

A Massachusetts native, Michelle DeRusha moved to Nebraska in 2001, where she discovered the Great Plains, grasshoppers the size of Cornish hens ... and God. She writes about finding and keeping faith in the everyday at http://michellederusha.com, as well as for the Lincoln Journal Star and The High Calling.

She's mom to two bug-loving boys, Noah and Rowan, and is married to Brad, an English professor who reads Moby Dick for fun.

Reviews

[Jennifer Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I began reading this book, I keep finding myself looking up at the trees. Not because this is a book about trees, but because the trees hold compelling truths about what it means to live as my essential self. Rich with metaphor and incisive wisdom, Michelle DeRusha uses words as if they are pruning shears – cutting away what gets in the way of truest you, … what gets in the way of real intimacy with God. I was deeply moved by this book. At times, I knew that I needed to slow down my reading, so that the truths might set in, yet found myself utterly unable to resist turning the page. I didn’t want this book to end, and will return to its pages again and again. I highly recommend True You.

[Shawn Smucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging, timely, important read. DeRusha's voice was reminiscent of Henri Nouwen, full of grace and kindness. Time for some pruning.

[Christa Cordova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book addresses what so many of us need to remember: the masks we put on to please ourselves and others don't fool God. Instead, they create distance in all our relationships, along with spiritual unease and anxiety in heart, mind, and soul. Using the gardening metaphor of pruning and toughing personal stories, the author leads readers through a kind and gracious exploration of what it might mean to take off the masks, stand before God as our true selves, and accept the reality of our identity as defined by God. I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of this book and I'm thrilled to recommend it to anyone feeling stressed, burdened, and/or overwhelmed by the challenges of life.

[Anita Ojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle DeRusha takes on one of modern society’s biggest lies in her latest book—the badge of busyness. “Part of our need to be busy and productive comes from our desire to be valued and known,” she says. “If we are busy, we must be needed, and if we are needed, we must be important.” But wearing the busyness badge just makes us feel even more harried and worn out—when in reality, we need to seek intentional rest.

On her quest to find the antidote to busyness, DeRusha takes the reader along on a soul-searching journey. Using the metaphor of a tree, she shows how easily we let life turn us into a jungle of lists and things and striving. Like sucker shoots, all the things take energy from our true selves until we lose sight of our true identity—children of a loving Father.

We forget that God values us and knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. When we take time for intentional rest, we allow the Master Gardner to prune and shape us. Pruning and shaping might not feel comfortable at the time. But when we ask God to do the work in us, we discover that his plan exceeds our wildest expectations. By scheduling intentional rest into our daily routine, we make room for God’s plans and shape for our lives to take root. We allow him to gently train us in the way we should go.

DeRusha combines her journalist’s skills with her memoirist’s eye to create the perfect combination of research and story. Each chapter ends with study questions that take the reader deeper into the quest of letting go and discovering the person God created.

This Book is For You If…

If you’re a busy person—the kind that constantly strives and secretly takes pride in having a full schedule—this book is for you. Our culture has built up the cult of busyness to unhealthy heights, and this book serves as a wake-up call to step away from the pyre.

If you feel empty, no matter how much you accomplish, this book is for you. You’ll discover a better way to live. A way that doesn’t include submitting to a never-ending to-do list, but instead includes submitting to a never-ending God.

[Deidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

January 1 is the perfect release date for this book. At a time when we're "turning over a new leaf" or hoping for a fresh start, I can't think of a better book to be our companion on that journey. Michelle DeRusha's writing is invitational, refreshing, honest, and vulnerable. Slowly, as the words open up to us on the page, we are invited — without really recognizing it as it's happening — to get comfortable with the end of going through life as if it's a performance, with the requisite expectation of critiques and comparisons. I want to live my life present for each moment, each relationship, each emotion, each joy and sorrow, each surprise and disappointment. I want to be, in this one life, the person I was created to be. I want to be comfortable with who I really am, whether that's in front of a mirror, in front of the world, or in front of God. I imagine you do, too. This book is the good news about who you really are. DeRusha shows you how to find and embrace your true self and the life you were meant to live.

I received an advance full version of the book from the publisher for the purpose of giving an honest review. This is that honest review.

[Joanne Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

True You by Michelle DeRusha is a book that takes us on a journey. The author brings us, the readers, along her path of discovering her true self and purpose in God.

Her journey is rich with gardening analogies of trees and leaves and beauty. She weaves stories to help us discover where we need to let go and declutter our lives so that our souls can be fuller.

I found the book to be a quick read but also, a slow read as I went back to reread and savor the words, letting them sink in deeply. Each chapter closes with a “Going Deeper” section which includes questions for thoughtful reflection and application.

This is a wonderful book to start off the new year. And yet, it is a book to read, and reread, throughout the year. Much like the trees, our lives will always be in need of pruning and shaping.

One can say True You is a book for life … discovering the life God has for us each.

**** I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know that God has created each one of us to be a unique individual. Sometimes, however, the pressure to conform or be who someone else wants us to be is great. Perhaps there are parts of us we don't like so we stay so crazy busy we don't have time to think about our true self.

DeRusha takes readers on a very personal journey of peeling away the layers, revealing the true person God created her to be. While sharing her own experiences, she helps us understand the process she went through, giving us specific steps.

She likens the entire process to that of tree pruning. First comes observation. As one must first spend some time observing the nature of the tree, so we must observe and reflect. She suggests directed rest, a time of resting in a self-reflective state. She gives specific training in the technique in an Appendix. Next comes the intensive task of identifying our false identity. We must acknowledge that we're broken and develop a true desire to get well. Through personal example, biblical truth and helpful suggestions, DeRusha continues describing the process of pruning for shaping, allowing for new growth in the best direction. The process will not be entirely pleasant as she shows from her own “dark night of the soul” experience.

I really like this book. DeRusha is very honest and open in her experiences – a good thing since her book is about personal truth and authenticity. I like that she gives several questions at the end of each chapter for reflection. Keeping a journal handy while reading the book would be a good idea. The book is easy to follow and is full of good teaching.

I recommend this book to Christians who would like to peel away the layers and discover the unique person within. DeRusha's experience is good encouragement along the journey, as is her teaching.

Food for thought: “We cannot begin to know ourselves until we allow silence and solitude into our lives.” (Loc. 375/2776)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Michelle is a talented, empathic writer, I expected to thoroughly enjoy this book. But I didn’t realize how much I’d come to see myself in it. I’m not a particularly religious person, but this is less a tome about the benefits of spirituality and more about someone who has been through her own spiritual wilderness and has some (often hilarious) thoughts about it. Reading it is, itself, a form of directed rest—a kind of active meditation about life and living. As a reader and a person always trying to grow, I still felt profoundly known and understood. I literally snorted in recognition, more than once. It’s a nice holiday read to coincide with resolutions and self-reflection. (I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.)

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle's book is an invitation to letting go of the busyness that overwhelms us, often keeping us from intimacy with God. Michelle shows us how to begin a practice of sitting still in God's presence and how this short simple discipline can open wide the door for intimacy and connection. This book is one I highlighted so much- there were truths and ah-ha moments throughout. It was so well written that I found myself devouring it, but will now need to go back through slowly, carefully and prayerfully. Powerful, life-changing book. I highly recommend it! { I was gifted an advance copy of Michelle's book from her publisher so that I could offer an honest review}

[Kelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It made me think, squirm, and want to take action to prune areas of my life that have probably outlived their original purpose. There is a lot of thought provoking concepts within this book and I plan to re-read it as I’m sure I will find something I overlooked the first time. Anyone who is feeling overwhelmed with their life-commitments, stress, frustrations and having problems finding “space” will find this book well worth the read.

I received an advance copy of this book from BakerBooks-thank you!

[Jo Sheets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our extra layers often provide a false sense of security. We hide behind our leaves in a forest of self-doubt, comparison, desires to please others and misguided vocation. We become entwined in anxiety and depression as a result. This book offers a solution that cuts through all the clutter. Not only will you discover a new and amazing view of yourself as God’s beloved, your beautifully sculpted branches will reach out and touch others in powerful ways. A must read for every single one of us!
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will change your life, if you’ll let it.

Every so often, a book comes along that is so counter to the trending themes of the day that you instinctively lean forward a little bit, pay a little closer attention. You realize right away that the author is reading a different script than the mainstream, and so you approach the book with caution --- because you realize that it might change you, too.

So it was when I began reading Michelle DeRusha’s True You, a book that quietly confronts much of the popular advice on how to get ahead with a gentle, soul-level discussion about what is actually good for you (versus what you think looks good on you). I read it not long after attending a women’s entrepreneurship conference, a conference where I received a lot of advice about how to be more productive and visible, and I found the contrast to be dizzying.

In True You, DeRusha gently points out that many of the things we pride ourselves on, like “busyness” and “hustle” and “making it happen,” can ultimately be devastating to the soul, preventing us from living out the most authentic and satisfying versions of our lives. A line I underlined and highlighted on page 65 reads: “My self-created identity was “producer” and “achiever.” This was not the identity God gave me when he wove me together; this was the identity I created for myself and then pursued as if my life depended on it.” I certainly could relate to this line, and I can think of so many ambitious friends who can too. It might explain why so many of us are frazzled, discontent, and in general, are frustrated with lives that should otherwise be quite satisfying.

I could tell you more about the book, but it is such a deeply personal read that I think you need to experience it for yourself. Like a wise and centering friend, this book can be the one that helps you make this new year your best year ever. There are a lot of good books to choose from out there, but I’m not sure I can think of a better book to help you grow and mature than this one. It is a gem, and it will help you see that you are a gem too . . .just as you are. Do yourself a favor and buy this book today! It could be the catalyst to help change your life for the better.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle DeRusha has written an introspective book which encourages us to find our true self and be the person God created us to be. By taking 5 minutes during our busy day to rest, silently listen and self-reflect, we can come to know ourselves, know God, and the plan He has for our life. Michelle beautifully compares this transformation to pruning a tree, to opening up to new growth, releasing what is no longer needed (false self), and eventually supporting and nurturing our community, as do the trees in the forest. This is an excellent book. I received an ARC from Baker Books.

[Sarah Hilkemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ministered to my heart in a difficult season! The author shares a powerful picture of pruning open, drawing parallels to the ways God works in us, stripping away all that clutters up our hearts so we can go deeper with Him. She shared a lot of personal stories and experiences that anyone could resonate with in different seasons of our journey of faith.

I received an advance copy from Baker Books.

[Andrea J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

True You is a fantastic book. I couldn’t’ have read it at a more appropriate time in my life! It really hit home. I need to start taking 5 minutes out of every day to just be in the moment, sitting still and listening just as the author, Michelle DeRusha, suggests. While this still seems scary, I know I will be a better person for doing it! I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books and I couldn’t be happier!

[Clark Roush · Rating 5 out of 5]

“True You: Letting Go of Your False Self to Uncover the Person God Created” by Michelle DeRusha is a beautifully written memoir that could easily lend itself to a fast read. I’m glad I resisted that temptation. The book metaphors our spiritual journey to the pruning and shaping necessary for a healthy Japanese tree. As the book unfolds the reader becomes aware that this book, transparent and personal, is intended to cause deep reflection - just as the author has done - about one’s life. If one slowly absorbs the material and accepts the challenges presented by the fine prose, one takes an important journey towards greater personal and spiritual awareness.

The author takes the reader through her spiritual epiphany in a humble, yet encouraging way. She never sets herself up as having THE answer, but lovingly and passionately shares her conviction that the way to uncover the person God created is through the opposite of the busyness and achievement culture that bombards us. Echoing the sentiments of Henri Nouwen and Thomas Merton, the author calls for a return to silence, solitude, and reflection.

As she weaves her way through biblical stories that illustrate her points, she shares salient thoughts of not only Nouwen and Merton, but also of Richard Rohr, John Ortberg, Parker Palmer, Mother Teresa, Ruth Haley Barton, and St. John of the Cross - to name a few. As the author shares, she never leaves the impression that she is “name-dropping” (although clearly she is well read and you have to admit those are some impressive people), but rather creating a tapestry of thought intended to encourage the reader to slow down, reflect, and shed the necessary trappings and filters that tend to cause us to live diametrically opposed to how we should. The author’s verbiage is intelligent and provocative, but never superior. The eloquence of the writing is surpassed only by its significance.

Each chapter ends with a “Going Deeper” section provided by the author. These are actually some of the most challenging parts of the book. The author takes the main points of the chapter and provide questions and prompts for the reader to internalize the concepts into their own life. Going deeper is a most fitting label for these sections. I must admit, some of them made me pretty uncomfortable - which I think was the point.

This book will teach you much about gardening, but if you’re open to the metaphor it will also teach you much about yourself and the selves around you. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I have read other works by this author, and this is her “magnum opus.” The book leaves you the impression that it had to be written - that the book chose the author. I can assure you I am different, and better, for having read it, and I consider it not only a must read, but one of the most significant books I’ve read in a while. This one will stay with you.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.

[Sarah Poling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releasing January 1st is perfect! This timing is impeccable as each new year many of us look for a fresh start. A new goal. An improved plan. Or focus. This book shares the author's journey to peel back the layers of herself and find the one whom God calls her to be. She artistically uses the image of pruning a tree to help the reader grasp how to peel back the layers that keep each of us from showing ourselves first and then our community who we really are.

I found her approach so helpful. At first I wasn't sure how each chapter was different from the next, but as the book progressed, I realized that she was peeling back the layers we have that hide our true selves from the surface to the core, and that they are all inter-connected, but the deeper you go, the more reflective and intuitive your search is.

Each chapter end with reflective questions to help this process move along at the needed slow transforming pace. The author integrates scripture and quotes from others who have found their true identity in meaningful and engaging ways throughout the book. I found these chapter questions so helpful, and as I said earlier, the first chapters seemed similar as they layers we hide beneath overlap, but as you move in to the core of you are, peeling back the identity, false identity, perceptions, lies you hide beneath, you are finding your true you! I will be revisiting this book often. It helped me begin to find my inner passion and goals, but battling all the layers will take time to breakdown and focus on the core me.

Thankful to partner with Baker books and read an advance copy to review.

[Lara Prachar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know how much I needed this book. Early on in the book when the author says that if we don’t know our truest selves, we don’t really know God I was so convicted. Through both biblical stories and her own personal ones, Michelle DeRusha shows us how we can find our authentic selves and grow our relationship with God. Thank you for the reminder that I am a beloved child of God. I’m looking forward to cultivating a regular practice of directed rest. I will definitely be re-reading this!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the amount of highlighting on my pages is any indication, I loved this book. It is full of truth!

The author reveals our need for stillness and directed rest. I loved the message that we need to really discover our true self. My identity doesn’t come from what I DO, it comes from who God made me to be and in His love for me. She states that while “our culture values busyness, achievement, efficiency, and productivity above all else,” that “God’s deepest desire is for us to know him, to root our whole selves in him…and to know his deep, abiding love for us.”

This is a great read for anyone who has ever said, “I’m so busy.” It is an invitation to come away, to rest, to discover the true you beneath all the stuff that we fill our lives and time with.

I don’t give out 5-star reviews easily. They are reserved for books I will use with my holistic health coaching clients to help them move forward in whole health and also books I will read over and over. This is one of those books.

I received an advanced copy from Baker Books so I could give an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Lisa Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

True You is a perfect book to read this time of year as winter gathers momentum, as nature slows its rhythms, as a new year dawns, and as concepts of faith guide new direction and lead us into deep reflection. There is so much to love in this book. Michelle compares the metaphorical relationship between pruning a tree in order to guide new growth with human efforts to modify thoughts or behaviors that hinder the development of our God given potential. Her writing carries a message found throughout scriptures and resonates with hope and promise. It prompted me to read closely and ponder God’s faith filled leading. I starred poignant phrases, marked pearls of faith-filled wisdom throughout the book. It was a pleasure to read the illustrative scriptural references, fascinating supporting research, and insightful reflection questions following each chapter. Michelle applies her writing talent to teach, mentor, and encourage us to discern our true selves as God’s beloved. Michelle DeRusha’s book, True You will make a difference in many lives. [My honest review was written after reading an advance copy of this book from the publisher.]

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the New Year soon upon us, we make resolutions be a better person.
“True You” by Michelle DeRusha can help you succeed/accomplish to be a better you... Michelle uses a Tree as a metaphor in how pruning can remove old stems, dead and unsightly limbs (our bad habits/sins). It takes dedication,
discipline and sometimes it’s painful, but absolutely necessary to make the tree a beautiful specimen. God is the gardener, pruning our unsightly limbs making us into the amazing person he wants us to be... True You is a must read not once but again and again....I can see this also being a women’s bible study.
Thank you to Michelle DeRusha, Baker Books via NetGallery for ARC of this book. This is a honest and whole heartedly recommend this book.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly impressed with “True You” by Michelle DeRusha. Her struggles to slow down and quiet all of the ‘voices’ demanding her attention so she could connect with God for a mere five minutes were very familiar to me. Her sincerity and humility throughout the book gave me a wonderful feeling of warmth and trust. I appreciated the extensive amount of detail in her research for her story. I will reread this book regularly to mine as much of the author’s wisdom and insights as I can.

I received a free advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my honest review. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to do the work necessary to find a few minutes of peaceful solitude every day in search of a closer walk with our Heavenly Father.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally finished reading this book today!
I just had to come here and tell you about it.
This is a book that will help you look inside yourself and help you grow outside yourself.
The author Michelle DeRusha compares people to trees. It's an interesting metaphor, and I learned some things about trees, and about me.
The book is available New Year's Day. I am planning to use some of what I learn from this book, "True You" to step forward in 2019 as the true me.
I was able to snag an early copy of the book. If you order the book now, there are some freebies you can get. I got mine, and I particularly like the companion journal. It has room to write reflections about yourself while you read the book. It has questions to get you thinking.

[Julie Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle DeRusha’s True You is not only a must read, but a multiple re-read! Metaphorical leaf by leaf and branch by branch, Michelle cuts through the detritus and invites the reader to begin an open pruning of his own. Her buds of truth along with her witty, personal and “talk-to-you” style of prose inspire and guide the reader with practical and wholly “do-able” ways to unveil the person God desires us to be.

(True You will be released to the public January 1, 2019. I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.)

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If we are not careful we will allow those around us or this world to tell us who we are, instead of relying on who God says we are. Like her, I don't think I am the only one that struggles with things, we all do, but sometimes we learn to mask it, and that is not good! So what do we do, well that is where Michelle shares her struggles and what she learned. Thank goodness there is a solution and it all points to God! Who we are must be rooted in Christ. We are always changing, the world is always changing, but do you know who never changes!? God, he never changes!!! So we need to turn to our LORD to let Him tell us who our true self is. Not rely on what someone tells or our feelings, which I have in the past. This last year I made some hard decisions and the results have been good, even though the process was difficult. When we take time to step away and draw near to God and rely on His Word and promises, you will find peace.

Here are some of my favorite parts/quotes from the book:

God yearns for us to live wholeheartedly and truthfully as the unique, beautiful, beloved individuals He created us to be. Most of all, God's deepest desire is for us to know Him, to root our whole selves in Him like a tree rooted by a stream, and to know His deep abiding love for us. God yearns for us to live in the spacious, light-filled freedom of Christ and to know ourselves in Him, through Him, and with Him.
Part of our need to be busy and productive comes from our desire to be valued and known...This addiction to busyness is devastating to our souls...Busyness allows us to avoid the deepest questions of our souls.
The key to slowing down is to live more fully in the present moment...allow space and time for a "Sabbath in the brain" and space and time for directed rest. Sometimes the now holds everything we would rather avoid.
The journey to wholeness and healing, it turns out, does not begin with surgery or even with diagnosis. The journey to wholeness begins with admitting you are broken.
Fear and distrust prevent us from answering God's invitation to intimacy and healing. Fear and distrust prevents us from standing, picking up our mats, and walking. Like the bleeding woman and Adan and Eve in the garden, we often only step out of hiding to tell our story when we are called out by God himself.
Moses' last words to his people are meant for us as well. Pay attention. Stay alert. Be vigilant. God is where with us, just as He promised. But sometimes we must go to the far side of the wilderness to sense His presence. Sometimes we must stand still in order to see the great things God is doing right before our very eyes.
God doesn't promise us wealth, health, success, an easy road, or even happiness. In fact, God doesn't promise to give us most of what we think we want or even most of what we think we need... This is hard to accept when there's no burning bush, no pillars of cloud or flame. Yet at the same time, God's promise couldn't be more straightforward. "I am with you always," Jesus said, "even to the end of the age".
Like Moses, we want to know the plan; we want specifics - the who, what, why, and when. But God gives us something better: His presence.
Not-yet-there is not a perfect place, nor is it always a comfortable place, but it's an important place.
God identifies us as His children. Our primary identity - really, our only true identity - is a beloved child of God.
Our sins can destroy not only ourselves but those around us...An idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives, in an infinite variety of forms from material wants to intangible desires... It's not fun to look honestly at our weaknesses and flaws. It can be demoralizing and frustrating to identify our idols and temptations, to root out that which makes us liable to destruction. But it's also some of the most important work we will do on this journey...calling out our idols ultimately creates space for us to move closer to Christ... While the entire responsibility of transformation doesn't fall on our shoulders, we do have an important part to play in our journey. God is in control of this process. He is the Inviter. He is the Igniter. And He can be trusted not only to continue but to complete what He begins.

[Susan Emert · Rating 5 out of 5]

"True You: Letting Go of Your False Self to Uncover the Person God Created" is the newest book by one of my favorite authors. In this beautifully written book, Michelle DeRusha tells stories of her own experiences to explain how we can start on the path to discovering God’s purpose for our lives. She shares Bible passages, scientific research, and quotes to support her stories, and includes questions at the end of each chapter to encourage us to apply what we are reading to our own lives. The author introduces us to the concept of directed rest, where stillness and solitude, for as little as five minutes a day, can slow down the busyness of life and give us time to tune into the Holy Spirit to gain a deeper understanding of our authentic selves. She describes how important it is to spend time in nature to observe and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, and how, by experiencing the healing qualities of nature, you can change your outlook and discover creative gifts you have not recognized before.
Throughout the book, Ms. DeRusha illustrates the similarities between trees and people, how they both live in communities and need to be shaped as they grow. She describes open center pruning, the Japanese method of shaping a tree in which a gardener prunes from the inside out so that the tree’s true beauty is revealed and compares this to the way God works in us, pruning out the old habits and false personas that hold us back from discovering our true identity in Him. The pruning process, while difficult and sometimes painful, is abundantly worthwhile in the end because, when we are more open, we can feel how much God loves us and wants to have a close relationship with us, and we can begin to understand and follow His plans for our lives.
I admit that I am affected deeply by this book because the words the author has written so closely describe my own faith journey, and it seems as if we are traveling parallel paths. I appreciate her willingness to open her heart and write her stories so that others can benefit from her words and wisdom. Thank you, Michelle DeRusha!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read Michelle DeRusha’s new book, True You. She shared the gift of her stories and allowed me to connect with her heart. Her words spoke to me as I struggle with letting go of busyness and false identities and learning to embrace my true self.

Michelle’s gardening metaphors resonate with me. I can see how God continues to work in my life through “pruning open”, hard pruning, rooting, and shaping. She is also helping me understand the need for directed rest, stillness, and solitude.

I’m grateful to read this book during Advent, appropriate for a season of waiting. I’ll start my second read in January to go deeper and listen to how God is speaking to me. Michelle’s thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter will offer me opportunities for journaling, as well as rereading all the thoughts I’ve already highlighted!

One of my favorite quotes from the book: “It was the ample silence and solitude that offered a way into beginning to understand myself as God’s Beloved.” I highly recommend True You as a gift to yourself and to get in touch with the spiritual parts of who you are.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of True You from Baker Books.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of for my honest review and I am so thankful. I am looking forward to having friends read this. My copy is full of highlights. Michelle DeRusha shares with great vulnerability about her spiritual journey and in essence her journey to becoming her truest self. Our honesty about our brokenness and being willing to be pruned and cut back allow God to show us who we truly are in Him. This book is about letting go, and holding our preconceived selves with open hands allowing us to fully embrace all that God has for us to be. DeRusha does a marvelous job in sharing some practical ways to allow this space and room for pruning in our life. DeRusha's story telling and honesty make this journey so relatable and enjoyable even as one is challenged to deal with the difficult of life.

[Amber Pankonin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book to read when kicking off the new year! As somebody who strives for efficiency and perfection, this was a great reminder to stop and reflect on why I love being busy and how I want others to see me. Michelle does a beautiful job pointing readers back to Jesus and highlighting what scripture has to say about finding our identity and peace in Him. (I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Baker Books.)

[Jolene Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw the title for this book, I jumped on it. Everything in it speaks to what I'm passionate about for the sake of all believers who feel stuck, unseen, and unable to live with the peace, joy, and freedom God gives. The thing is, we often miss it because we are not connected to Him. Michelle readily admits this challenge in her own life and faith journey.

We hide what's deep within us, the good and the bad, from ourselves, others and God. This includes hurts and sin as well as desires and gifts. I love that Michelle addresses different ways we hide our true selves.

Michelle does an amazing job of delivering enticing imagery with trees. She doesn't just refer to trees for powerful metaphors; she uses personal experiences that are relatable and foster aha moments. Her writing style and vulnerable stories are powerful for the way they incite deeper thinking and feeling.

Each chapter includes challenging yet helpful questions to guide the reader on their own journey. She leads the reader to explore what's hidden within them and bring it before God. When we become aware of and acknowledge these areas in our lives, we become more vulnerable and pliable to God's beautiful shaping. As you read this book and engage with the questions, you may experience hard feelings that need to be felt. You’ll also be encouraged to continue and given hope for the outcome.

I’m glad this book is out there and I recommend for people who feel unsettled, knowing there is something more to uncover.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and am offering an honest review.