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Embracing Weakness: The Unlikely Secret to Changing the World
Shannon K. Evans spent a good portion of her life denying that she was weak. Like many Christians, she was concerned with living a moral life, sticking to religious absolutes, holding leadership positions, and working on service projects. And then the truth of her inner brokenness smacked her in the face, first through her work as a missionary, and afterward through motherhood. Embracing The Unlikely Secret to Changing the World is a story of vulnerability, of how one woman learned that before she could respond to the weakness of others she must first accept her own weakness as a gift, revealed in the Incarnation and Passion of Christ. Shannon shares how God led her to If you're ready for a vibrant spiritual life overflowing with mercy - experienced and extended - read Embracing Weakness.
127 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2019
23 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Shannon K. Evans
10 books125 followersShannon K. Evans is passionate about exploring deeper ways of contemplating God so that our experience of the Divine grows further loving and curious, rather than static and complacent. She is the spirituality and culture editor at the National Catholic Reporter and the author of the books “Feminist Prayers for My Daughter: Powerful Petitions for Every Stage of Her Life” and “Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality.”
With interest in ecofeminism, contemplative practice, and social change, Shannon leads workshops and retreats across the country that spark curiosity and compassion.
Having previously lived in Indonesia for two years, Shannon loves to travel, but is happiest at home on the Iowa prairie with her family and beloved chickens.
With interest in ecofeminism, contemplative practice, and social change, Shannon leads workshops and retreats across the country that spark curiosity and compassion.
Having previously lived in Indonesia for two years, Shannon loves to travel, but is happiest at home on the Iowa prairie with her family and beloved chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 1, 2019
When I gave up social media for Lent this year, my only hesitation before logging out for 40 days was the realization that I'd be missing out on Shannon Evans' voice--both written and in impromptu Instagram stories.
I have followed Shannon's work for several years now on multiple platforms--blogs, devotionals, newsletters, podcasts, print and online essays, instagram posts, etc. I thought I had a good sense of her style (wise older sister, invested neighbor), her content (personal essays putting a distinctly human and feminine face to the life of faith and Catholic Social Teaching), and some parts of her story (missionary, convert to Catholicism, adoptive mother, boy-mom, Catholic Worker). While all of Shannon's writing stops me in my tracks, makes me sit with discomfort, think for awhile, and find the willingness to fumble through new ways of loving, this sliver of a book did so much more.
Embracing Weakness reads like the kind of awed conversation you can only happen upon late at night with a friend you thought you knew, but who had so much more to tell. It ebbs and flows between vulnerably-exposed vignettes and soft-spoken-but-sure lessons on what Christ's humanity tells us about the nature and heart of God. The truths she's gently offering are not new (she would be the first to acknowledge this with the number of wisdom teachers she makes brief humble nods to throughout the book: Jean Vanier being my personal favorite). But the way she shares them as a transformed outpouring of her own mistakes, brokenness, and vulnerability make the Author of those Truths feel more trustworthy and understanding, more human.
Reading Shannon's stories illuminated areas of weakness I had been shying away from acknowledging and encouraged me to be more truthful with my husband, myself, and God about unnamed feelings of shame, disappointment, anxiety, and guilt. When you read this book, you will find in its pages a certainty that Shannon has a full-hearted hope that you are capable of fearlessly clasping hands with anyone you encounter, seeing them as worthy of the precious gift of life and all it holds, and offering your whole self without reservation. That is what Shannon has done in writing this book. I can't guess at how many times I'll re-read these pages.
I have followed Shannon's work for several years now on multiple platforms--blogs, devotionals, newsletters, podcasts, print and online essays, instagram posts, etc. I thought I had a good sense of her style (wise older sister, invested neighbor), her content (personal essays putting a distinctly human and feminine face to the life of faith and Catholic Social Teaching), and some parts of her story (missionary, convert to Catholicism, adoptive mother, boy-mom, Catholic Worker). While all of Shannon's writing stops me in my tracks, makes me sit with discomfort, think for awhile, and find the willingness to fumble through new ways of loving, this sliver of a book did so much more.
Embracing Weakness reads like the kind of awed conversation you can only happen upon late at night with a friend you thought you knew, but who had so much more to tell. It ebbs and flows between vulnerably-exposed vignettes and soft-spoken-but-sure lessons on what Christ's humanity tells us about the nature and heart of God. The truths she's gently offering are not new (she would be the first to acknowledge this with the number of wisdom teachers she makes brief humble nods to throughout the book: Jean Vanier being my personal favorite). But the way she shares them as a transformed outpouring of her own mistakes, brokenness, and vulnerability make the Author of those Truths feel more trustworthy and understanding, more human.
Reading Shannon's stories illuminated areas of weakness I had been shying away from acknowledging and encouraged me to be more truthful with my husband, myself, and God about unnamed feelings of shame, disappointment, anxiety, and guilt. When you read this book, you will find in its pages a certainty that Shannon has a full-hearted hope that you are capable of fearlessly clasping hands with anyone you encounter, seeing them as worthy of the precious gift of life and all it holds, and offering your whole self without reservation. That is what Shannon has done in writing this book. I can't guess at how many times I'll re-read these pages.
May 26, 2019
Shannon has penned with such wisdom what my husband and I have been talking about and struggling with these past two years. If the only lesson we learn in this is that our work for the Gospel is not a debate to be won or a soul to be converted, but a person to be loved and introduced to Love Himself, this book will have made such an impact on people who feel faithfully lost. Every chapter felt like giant neon signs from God confirming all the things I’ve been wrestling with. This is precisely the book my soul needed right now, in every way. I hope it will resonate with the world at large, but regardless, I am eternally grateful for Shannon having written it.
May 23, 2019
This short book is the perfect primer for people who want to change the world. While it is directed at people of faith, anyone - believer or not - could benefit from it. The format is great, in that it alternates between telling the author's story of thinking she could "help" under-served communities through missionary work in the past and her revelations in present time about how being human (embracing our weakness) actually puts us in a posture to engage with other humans instead of try to remake them in our own image. This would be a great book for a small group faith study or an individual read for self improvement. It would especially be good for Catholic women's groups and comes with a study guide. I was really inspired by the book and it gave me hope after quite some time feeling unhopeful! Get it :-)
November 27, 2019
Wow. Don't read this book unless you're ready to be stretched and changed, quite possibly be being broken wide open. Or ready meet your weaknesses head on, and to see how it is through them, and not in spite of them, that we draw closer to others, and closer to Christ.
May 26, 2019
Generally I am suspicious of any book with near-universal 5-star reviews, but in this case I had to add one of my own. I’m a big fiction reader, which means I often view nonfiction reading as a chore, even when I’m very interested in the topic. Enter Shannon Evans. Vulnerable, honest, and engaging, Embracing Weakness feels like reading my own journals, only a version of myself much bolder and a few steps farther along in the spiritual journey I’m undertaking. And does she ever have a way with words!
Her argument boils down to this: when we spend our lives trying to fool ourselves and everyone else into thinking we’re strong, that we have it all together, we end up judging both ourselves and others. The whole point of God coming down “with skin” is that he took on the whole works—the weakness and the suffering. He became one with us. He experienced what we experience. This is called solidarity, and if he did it, we’re supposed to do it, too. But too often, modern Christians doesn’t do that. Evans challenges us to dig down, look our own weaknesses in the face, and follow where the change of heart leads.
The ripple effects from this seemingly simple insight are far-reaching. I’d like to summarize the whole book, but you’d miss the richness. Evans uses pieces of her own life story to illustrate the lessons she’s learned. Often I wanted a smoother transition between the personal stories and the associated reflections, but both are gripping…which is not a word I use often in reviews of nonfiction. The relevance to real life is just staggering.
In sum: a fast read, challenging yet hopeful. Devour it, and return to it again and again to dig in more deeply as you continue along your spiritual journey.
I was sent an advance copy of Embracing Weakness for review purposes, but I have already purchased my own copy, and I expect to buy it for several others.
Her argument boils down to this: when we spend our lives trying to fool ourselves and everyone else into thinking we’re strong, that we have it all together, we end up judging both ourselves and others. The whole point of God coming down “with skin” is that he took on the whole works—the weakness and the suffering. He became one with us. He experienced what we experience. This is called solidarity, and if he did it, we’re supposed to do it, too. But too often, modern Christians doesn’t do that. Evans challenges us to dig down, look our own weaknesses in the face, and follow where the change of heart leads.
The ripple effects from this seemingly simple insight are far-reaching. I’d like to summarize the whole book, but you’d miss the richness. Evans uses pieces of her own life story to illustrate the lessons she’s learned. Often I wanted a smoother transition between the personal stories and the associated reflections, but both are gripping…which is not a word I use often in reviews of nonfiction. The relevance to real life is just staggering.
In sum: a fast read, challenging yet hopeful. Devour it, and return to it again and again to dig in more deeply as you continue along your spiritual journey.
I was sent an advance copy of Embracing Weakness for review purposes, but I have already purchased my own copy, and I expect to buy it for several others.
June 2, 2019
In her book Embracing Weakness, Evans explains that our strongest assets are not power and authority, but rather vulnerability and humility. In this quick but poignant read, she bares her soul to the reader and shares not only her own struggles but the fruit that has grown from her ability to allow herself to be broken.
I found Embracing Weakness to be a comfort, and I found an understanding friend in Evans’ conversational writing style. She assured me that my struggles don’t mean I’m failing as a Christian, and can in fact draw me closer to my God and my neighbor.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody desiring spiritual growth, as I found to be a great primer on self-reflection and orienting one’s life around the Gospel.
I found Embracing Weakness to be a comfort, and I found an understanding friend in Evans’ conversational writing style. She assured me that my struggles don’t mean I’m failing as a Christian, and can in fact draw me closer to my God and my neighbor.
I would highly recommend this book to anybody desiring spiritual growth, as I found to be a great primer on self-reflection and orienting one’s life around the Gospel.
May 24, 2019
"The further out of touch we become with our own weakness, the more we distance ourselves from anyone outside of our particular 'correct' bubble of faith." - Shannon Evans
This book is beautifully and succinctly written and gives a call to the reader to humbly see the weakness in themselves rather than proudly attempting to "fix" others. Shannon's witness calls the reader to rethink how they approach holiness. This is truly a book that is so needed today to break through false piety and allow for authentic connection with Christ, the people we encounter, and our own selves. I highly recommend it!
This book is beautifully and succinctly written and gives a call to the reader to humbly see the weakness in themselves rather than proudly attempting to "fix" others. Shannon's witness calls the reader to rethink how they approach holiness. This is truly a book that is so needed today to break through false piety and allow for authentic connection with Christ, the people we encounter, and our own selves. I highly recommend it!
May 24, 2019
Shannon's words are a challenging and encouraging combination of practical theology and hard-earned wisdom. It's laced with insights from big hitters like Jean Vanier, Brene' Brown, & Fr. Greg Boyle--put it on your summer reading list!
June 21, 2019
Wow! What vulnerability and insight Shannon has shown in this book! Even though she is a generation younger than me with many different life experiences, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that we all share the same fears and anxieties about showing “weakness” and “vulnerability”. She openly shared how she broke through the (sometimes painful) chains of pride to acknowledge and even appreciate weaknesses. Her book helped me see that weaknesses are bonds between humans and that bond can be the “thing” that makes effective change happen. This was an important insight for me personally. I highly recommend this book for personal insight and growth.
July 10, 2019
I am so grateful for this book! It was honestly much harder for me to finish than I expected: I read it in stops and starts because I just needed to chew on the ideas and honestly, they challenge me right down to my core. Some images hit me so hard, so spot-on, in this place in my own journey...whew! I’ll be going back in for a second read and contemplation!
I really appreciated Shannon’s writing style, mixing her own vulnerable narrative to contribute to and make real the thesis. I’m also relieved (and not, because it represents so much) by her vision of what spirituality and the Church can look like!
I really appreciated Shannon’s writing style, mixing her own vulnerable narrative to contribute to and make real the thesis. I’m also relieved (and not, because it represents so much) by her vision of what spirituality and the Church can look like!
July 29, 2019
I started reading Shannon's blog years ago and have followed her on social media ever since. I've always appreciated her ability to be reflective about her attempts to live out Gospel values of solidarity, connection, and community. She is frank, though not self-depricating, about her limitations, the times when her altruistic aspirations have been misguided or misplaced, and about the struggles and tensions her family and marriage have experienced as a result of their collective efforts to "practice what they preach".
I thought her book could be 'old news' for those of us who know a fair bit about Shannon's life already, but that wasn't true. She is vulnerable and honest (indeed, kind of the point of the book!) about where she now sees her own failures and weaknesses, and her own need to be a recipient of charity, kindness, and community. She encourages us to reflect upon how our perceptions of what it means to be altruistic can be damaging to ourselves, as well as to those who are on the receiving end of our attempted altruism.
I personally found her reflections on control vs. connection to be particularly resonant. None of us like to think of ourselves as controlling, but she points out how controlling tendencies can creep into all our relationships in our intolerance for people thinking and acting in ways we dislike. She highlights the importance of seeking connection and understanding in these moments, rather than cutting comments and disapproval.
The book is very short (always a merit, imo!), and my copy is heavily highlighted and dog-eared. I'll keep thinking about it and have already referenced it in many conversations with friends and family.
I thought her book could be 'old news' for those of us who know a fair bit about Shannon's life already, but that wasn't true. She is vulnerable and honest (indeed, kind of the point of the book!) about where she now sees her own failures and weaknesses, and her own need to be a recipient of charity, kindness, and community. She encourages us to reflect upon how our perceptions of what it means to be altruistic can be damaging to ourselves, as well as to those who are on the receiving end of our attempted altruism.
I personally found her reflections on control vs. connection to be particularly resonant. None of us like to think of ourselves as controlling, but she points out how controlling tendencies can creep into all our relationships in our intolerance for people thinking and acting in ways we dislike. She highlights the importance of seeking connection and understanding in these moments, rather than cutting comments and disapproval.
The book is very short (always a merit, imo!), and my copy is heavily highlighted and dog-eared. I'll keep thinking about it and have already referenced it in many conversations with friends and family.
June 10, 2019
This book broke me open and it’s hard to put into words how much it matters to me. In recent years as I have experienced grief and loss and motherhood, I have become painfully aware of my weakness and inadequacy, but haven’t really known what to do with it. Shannon’s words addressed many wounds. Though short in length, her work is rich in content and caused me to pause often for self-reflection. For me the most convicting was her sharing so vulnerably about motherhood. I gained such solidarity with Shannon as this is the area of my life where I have experienced the greatest pain and weakness. I felt both comforted and exposed as I began to unpack my own life in light of the author’s story and message. “Without weakness, we are in danger of living a life of hollow benevolence without truly meeting Christ in the face of the other; we will condemn ourselves to staying in the shallow end of the pool of God’s love.” This is book is full of powerful and beautiful truths and is one I will continue to come back to.
The author demonstrates how recognizing her own poverty has led to utter compassion and how judgment has been replaced with upmost mercy. “The more exposure we get to the plight of our fellow humans, the harder it become to villainize them.” In this way, we can truly begin to change the world, by accepting that we all belong to each other and by allowing our weakness and poverty to be a shared and essential experience of being human. Shannon shows the reader genuine compassion, while issuing a call to action without a shred of judgement.
Shannon Evans has such a refreshing perspective and an energy that is contagious and I agree with another reviewer that the only thing missing was even more of her own story. Thank you Shannon! I will certainly be looking for what is to come next!
The author demonstrates how recognizing her own poverty has led to utter compassion and how judgment has been replaced with upmost mercy. “The more exposure we get to the plight of our fellow humans, the harder it become to villainize them.” In this way, we can truly begin to change the world, by accepting that we all belong to each other and by allowing our weakness and poverty to be a shared and essential experience of being human. Shannon shows the reader genuine compassion, while issuing a call to action without a shred of judgement.
Shannon Evans has such a refreshing perspective and an energy that is contagious and I agree with another reviewer that the only thing missing was even more of her own story. Thank you Shannon! I will certainly be looking for what is to come next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2019
In this short book, Shannon Evans masterfully addresses the ways we hide from feeling weak and powerless, examining how we numb ourselves, become over controlling, or otherwise flee from the frightening truth that we are weak creatures who suffer and so must depend on something other than ourselves to save us.
Evans alternates between discussing how embracing our weakness is the only way to love God and neighbor (perfectly aligning with St. Therese on this) and between stories culled from her personal life. There’s a lot of dense theological content to ponder here, yet Evans presents it in a clear, understandable way.
This book is an important correction to the prosperity gospel infiltrating Christian culture, and to all of us clinging so tightly to try and be in control of our lives. The world would be a much kinder place if we put into practice the ideas expressed in the pages of this wise book.
I plan on returning to this book to remind me that God’s grace is sufficient and that rather than hide from my weakness, I must embrace it, and cling to the one who holds me in the palm of his hand.
Evans alternates between discussing how embracing our weakness is the only way to love God and neighbor (perfectly aligning with St. Therese on this) and between stories culled from her personal life. There’s a lot of dense theological content to ponder here, yet Evans presents it in a clear, understandable way.
This book is an important correction to the prosperity gospel infiltrating Christian culture, and to all of us clinging so tightly to try and be in control of our lives. The world would be a much kinder place if we put into practice the ideas expressed in the pages of this wise book.
I plan on returning to this book to remind me that God’s grace is sufficient and that rather than hide from my weakness, I must embrace it, and cling to the one who holds me in the palm of his hand.
May 26, 2019
I am just beginning to grasp the value of suffering. No one is exempt from it. Everyone has their own crosses to bear, whether big or small.
So what can we do with all this brokenness that might be of benefit to society and help others?
How should we handle our crosses, both emotionally and practically? Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) But in our modern American society, how do we do that? Then I stumbled upon the writings of Shannon Evans, a fellow convert and mother of five littles, both biological and adoptive, with their own unique challenges. Shannon helped to remove my blindfold so that I could embrace my weakness and those of others in order to be united with Christ and my fellow humans. Anyone who has ever experienced suffering and brokenness in this life (hello, everyone!) I encourage you to read Shannon’s book. You will walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and a plan of action for how to use your weakness for the good of mankind!
So what can we do with all this brokenness that might be of benefit to society and help others?
How should we handle our crosses, both emotionally and practically? Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) But in our modern American society, how do we do that? Then I stumbled upon the writings of Shannon Evans, a fellow convert and mother of five littles, both biological and adoptive, with their own unique challenges. Shannon helped to remove my blindfold so that I could embrace my weakness and those of others in order to be united with Christ and my fellow humans. Anyone who has ever experienced suffering and brokenness in this life (hello, everyone!) I encourage you to read Shannon’s book. You will walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and a plan of action for how to use your weakness for the good of mankind!
June 23, 2019
Shannon K. Evans shares her journey towards wholeness by laying bare incidents in her life as a missionary in Indonesia that made her aware of her own imperfection and avoidance of vulnerability. She describes how human beings numb themselves avoiding the complexities in life by creating rituals designed to keep activity and seeming success in the forefront of their lives. Shannon uses biblical references that underscore the life of Jesus and how he willingly exposed his pain and vulnerability both during the Passion and during encounters with those He met during his ministry. She also shares how becoming a parent first to a child from Uganda and then with her two sons from her marriage showed her that control was a divisive force that was making what should have been a loving and learning experience one filled with battles for control. The reader will move with Shannon towards an understanding of what community, human community really can be and how the broken places knit souls together in Peace.
February 6, 2023
I have followed Shannon on Instagram for a few years, and I have always felt connected to her content. I have had her first book on my list for quite awhile and was excited to see that the local library had a few copies! I believe that the theological content and personal stories do connect well compared to other spiritual type books that are heavy theological wise without a real world context to have it make any sense to me. Shannon has a great way of weaving the two together, which she also does well on her other platforms. I think it was also great that this book was on the shorter side as there was no fluff and you could tell that everything that was included was carefully thought out. My only small complaint is the layout, which seemed to be quick personal story then longer theological discussion then back to the personal story. It is really just personal preference and not a dig on the author or editing.
May 30, 2019
Short, but mighty read!!
Shannon’s book is packed with relatable and thought provoking material. One of my favorite quotes is “Personally, I have observed that my heart rate quickens when my parents make choices I wouldn’t have, or my adult siblings express opinions that differ from mine. My body tenses when Eric’s autonomy tweaks the strings of my inner peace yet again. But in these moments I have choices of my own: I can choose to remember the boundaries of my own personhood and, equally as important, choose to respect theirs as well. We are different people, and we have to learn to honor differences rather than feel threatened by them.”
I found Shannon’s book to be very eye and heart opening and would recommend it to anyone who would like to grow or be stretched in their faith life.
Shannon’s book is packed with relatable and thought provoking material. One of my favorite quotes is “Personally, I have observed that my heart rate quickens when my parents make choices I wouldn’t have, or my adult siblings express opinions that differ from mine. My body tenses when Eric’s autonomy tweaks the strings of my inner peace yet again. But in these moments I have choices of my own: I can choose to remember the boundaries of my own personhood and, equally as important, choose to respect theirs as well. We are different people, and we have to learn to honor differences rather than feel threatened by them.”
I found Shannon’s book to be very eye and heart opening and would recommend it to anyone who would like to grow or be stretched in their faith life.
July 31, 2019
I took my time with this read because I wanted to savor the words and ideas presented in this book. I have been following Shannon Evans on Instagram and on her blog for a while now; so I knew when she published this I needed to buy it. I find so much of her spiritual journey mirrors my own in many ways and I love the voice she gives to that journey.
This book had many passages and quotes I had to go back and underline because they were just that good. This is a book I will probably reread or at least peruse often because of the wisdom and insight she presents.
It is not a particularly long read either. It does not present at all as a daunting read and, if you wanted, it could be quickly read in a day or two. Her writing style is engaging and also insightful. Really, I can say nothing bad about it. It is a beautiful little read and one that will stay close to my bedside table.
This book had many passages and quotes I had to go back and underline because they were just that good. This is a book I will probably reread or at least peruse often because of the wisdom and insight she presents.
It is not a particularly long read either. It does not present at all as a daunting read and, if you wanted, it could be quickly read in a day or two. Her writing style is engaging and also insightful. Really, I can say nothing bad about it. It is a beautiful little read and one that will stay close to my bedside table.
May 24, 2019
Shannon's book is one that deserves to be read more than once -- quickly, because you won't be able to put it down, and again more slowly, as a meditation or slow prayer.
Shannon's personal stories and insights are poignant, funny, and self-deprecating, but where the book really shines is in the theology. Drawing on such luminaries as Johannes Metz, Jean Vanier, Mother Teresa, Brene Brown, and the Sufi poet Rumi, Shannon weaves a deft argument about how we cannot accompany others with true compassion and love unless we confront and embrace our own weaknesses first; she bolsters the argument further with deep Biblical analysis. This book flies in the face of the modern practice of whitewashing our lives for the consumption of others, and it resonates with Truth.
Shannon's personal stories and insights are poignant, funny, and self-deprecating, but where the book really shines is in the theology. Drawing on such luminaries as Johannes Metz, Jean Vanier, Mother Teresa, Brene Brown, and the Sufi poet Rumi, Shannon weaves a deft argument about how we cannot accompany others with true compassion and love unless we confront and embrace our own weaknesses first; she bolsters the argument further with deep Biblical analysis. This book flies in the face of the modern practice of whitewashing our lives for the consumption of others, and it resonates with Truth.
May 25, 2019
I've always enjoyed Shannon's writing and have been looking forward to this book. It certainly did not disappoint. Shannon has a way with words and her modest approach to embracing weakness is relatable and comforting. I looked forward to reading this book each night as her honest and humble recounting of experiences helped me to feel less alone in my own weakness and encouraged a mindset of hope, humility and an increased need for solidarity. Embracing Weakness speaks to the part of me that struggles most with control over various aspects of my life. It challenged me to gain a new perspective where weakness holds value, despite believing otherwise. I highly recommend this thought provoking book and fully intend to share it with others.
May 31, 2019
I've been following Shannon's writing online for awhile now and was excited to get my hands on this book. Embracing Weakness is a refreshing contrast to all the "hustle" self-help books on the market and is one of the most honest Christian books that I've read. Evans writes about the gospel and its invitation to be like Jesus in a way that's thought provoking and approachable. She has a way of widening perspectives, zeroing in on truth, and allowing space for deep breaths as you read. It's by no means a "women's Christian book" -- everyone can get something out of it. I'm still mulling over a few of the things she writes about. I will definitely be reading this again, hopefully with a group of friends so we can discuss it.
June 8, 2019
Books Are Read when We Are Ready
I interview authors and rarely have time to read much beyond my work but Embracing Weakness came to me after talks I gave about How to Pray the Mass with a focus on the beginning - the confession of our weaknesses and sin. The point was that we pray better by admitting our weakness not by posturing our strength. Then we know God as God - Savior and Lover. The title made me pick up this book and underscored the truth of our limitations, the authenticity of being vulnerable and the Divine and human call to solidarity. Embracing Weakness folded into my relections on the Mass at the right time. I want to continue knowing the power and fruitfulness of my weaknesses. Thank you Shannon!
I interview authors and rarely have time to read much beyond my work but Embracing Weakness came to me after talks I gave about How to Pray the Mass with a focus on the beginning - the confession of our weaknesses and sin. The point was that we pray better by admitting our weakness not by posturing our strength. Then we know God as God - Savior and Lover. The title made me pick up this book and underscored the truth of our limitations, the authenticity of being vulnerable and the Divine and human call to solidarity. Embracing Weakness folded into my relections on the Mass at the right time. I want to continue knowing the power and fruitfulness of my weaknesses. Thank you Shannon!
July 1, 2019
I’ve been following author Shannon Evans for a while both on her Instagram and her other writings and her words never fail to act as a healing balm to my soul.
I’ve always appreciated her vulnerable and honest voice, and her perspective and wisdom on embracing the beauty of our humanness and on living a life of Solidarity.
And having followed along on her writing process, I’ve anxiously awaited the arrival of her first book. And when I finished reading it (for what, I can assure you, won’t be the last time), I looked around at the world with fresh eyes.
You can read my full review here
I’ve always appreciated her vulnerable and honest voice, and her perspective and wisdom on embracing the beauty of our humanness and on living a life of Solidarity.
And having followed along on her writing process, I’ve anxiously awaited the arrival of her first book. And when I finished reading it (for what, I can assure you, won’t be the last time), I looked around at the world with fresh eyes.
You can read my full review here
December 24, 2021
A beautiful and uplifting book - very well written and engaging. A good mixture of personal anecdotes and presentation of convincing ideas. This book helped me as I have struggled with anxiety and perfectionism in Christian faith, as well as a very polarised sense of self (extreme self-loathing vs extreme arrogance, no in between, no balance of genuine humility or truth). It gently encouraged me to confront the aspects of my personality that I haven't wanted to look at, and consider ways to practically embrace my own weakness and pursue solidarity with others. I would have appreciated another chapter with even more practical advice as well but it was very good overall.
June 17, 2019
I’ve been following Shannon’s writing for awhile now and am always challenged by her message. This book beautifully describes the interior work that is needed in order to live a life of love within a community. Being vulnerable and sharing our weakness is always a challenge, but through examples from her own life Shannon illustrates the deep relationships that form when we live in solidarity with each other. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow spiritually and in community.
October 17, 2021
I appreciated this book so much. At first I was highlighting bits cos I wanted it to speak to me and change me but I stopped reading it after that. So then a few months later I came back to it and didn't highlight a thing! Just sat for two hours and consumed it! And I just kept going! There are so many beautiful truths to be called into in this book and I appreciated the things that God brought my attention to and beautiful freedom of being weak that spoke to me in this book.
June 6, 2019
Shannon is just an incredible and inspiring writer. As I read this book I felt like I was sitting across from a friend drinking coffee. Her humility and openness is moving as she guides you through not only her own story but what it truly means to be open to embracing your weaknesses in your day to day life.
“You cannot embrace weakness by means of your own strength.” - Favorite quote from the book.
“You cannot embrace weakness by means of your own strength.” - Favorite quote from the book.
June 27, 2019
Such a beautifully and thoughtfully written book about seeing our weakness as strength. It also challenges the reader to honestly look at their lives and see how they can change the trajectory of their spiritual journey. Great stories, beautiful words, and excellent ideas all wrapped into a nice book!
October 16, 2019
Shannon’s story and the truth she’s learned on her journey are powerful and challenging. So opposite of our culture of power hungry hustlers, even and maybe even especially in Christian culture. It really challenged me and forced me to look at some of my thought processes and ways of operating as a believer. I feel like this is a must read for people in ministry!
June 25, 2020
Loved this short book and know that it is one I will revisit again and again. It is especially timely as I seek to learn more about our country's racial disparities.
One quote that really stuck out to me as one of the key themes of the book is: "Recognizing the poverty within ourselves means we are better receptacles of the riches of others."
One quote that really stuck out to me as one of the key themes of the book is: "Recognizing the poverty within ourselves means we are better receptacles of the riches of others."
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