Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for sending me an ARC. The following review contains my honest thoughts.
Like many others, I first learned about Anne Wilson through her song "My Jesus." It quickly became a favorite, in my household, as did the rest of her album. Never could I imagine what Anne went through that led to her album/success.
Anne lost her older brother, and it absolutely devastated her family. Unsurprisingly, it took years for the family to grieve and move forward, in their lives. I really appreciate Anne putting her heartbreak and pain, on display, in this book. It felt like I was sitting with her, as she described her grief and what she did to move along. I admire her strength and faith during that tumultuous time.
The story flowed really well and was a captivating read. However, there was one qualm I had with this book, and it really affected my opinion of the story. I try not to judge anyone's faith and relationship with Jesus, but when you put it out there, you are opening yourself up to different opinions.
Multiple times, Anne describes different visions that, according to her, were from God. Furthermore, there were a number of instances that Anne talks about different prophecies that either she or her family had, that again, she claimed were from God.
For someone that is a new believer or isn't even a follower of Christ, these visions and prophecies are incredibly dangerous. A relationship with Christ is not transactional. When you are in financial distress, God will not send you a dream that tells you about the exact date in which you will receive the exact amount needed to get out of your financial troubles. That is not how prayer works. That is not how a relationship with Christ works. To put multiple instances of this in her story, Anne is perpetuating an incredibly dangerous false narrative of what having a relationship with Jesus is like. I understand that her family was under incredible stress, and I do not even want to imagine the amount of pain they were in. But that does not excuse putting out this false narrative of what Jesus can do - He is not a genie in the bottle, waiting to grant your three wishes.
Overall, the book was an interesting read. And it did help me relate more to Anne and her struggles. But I am hesitant to recommend it to anyone because of the false theology presented.