Life is a journey in which the story of our life unfolds – a page at a time. Much like a good mystery, those very pages of our lives contain circumstances and events which are completely unexpected. No time is given to prepare, we just roll on through holding on hoping to survive it all.
I recently had the joy of reading Michele Cushatt’s memoir, Undone: A Story of Making Peace With an Unexpected Life.
Michele’s life is a complicated one which includes divorce, remarriage, the challenges of a blended family, and a cancer diagnosis. She honestly and transparently tells of days and experiences which will make you laugh, cry, and scratch your head. Through it all, in the midst of it all, she will always point you to Jesus.
I never doubted I would enjoy this book. However, I was not prepared for how it would touch my heart and buoy my faith ….
A boat anchored to itself is not anchored at all.
Shoring up your faith in the right place is far more important than simply claiming to have it. If I believe only in what I can see, manage, and control, sooner or later something will come along to rock my boat. When that happens, I’ll scream into the wind, “I’m going to drown!”
Instead, I must secure my faith where it cannot be unmoored.
Faith is choosing the anchor of your focus. It’s about turning your eyes away from the questions that lead to fear, and instead locking eyes with the one who knows the answers.
(excerpt taken from pages 201-202)
This book truly was my companion the last few weeks in my own unexpected journey. It came with me everywhere I went and at this point, I have read it several times through. During those moments when I thought I would come undone, I found Michele’s words infusing me with courage to continue on.
This is a book for everyone, no matter where life may find you. Michele has written in the middle of her own mess. It therefore, speaks right into the middle of any mess breathing life back into that very mess. And it it right there, in the middle of it all, when we are undone, that we discover His Presence is with us – loving us, holding us, leading us.
We may feel undone, but Jesus is never done with us.
This book quickly touched my heart and became one of my favorite memoirs. This is a book in which the pages will become worn as I turn to its pages again and again. Trust me – it will quickly become a favorite of yours as well.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion. It was a joy to read this book. An even greater joy to share about it with you all.
You can order this book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble .
Also, you can connect with Michele at her website … www.MicheleCushatt.com .
I am going to give away 2 copies of this book because it is just that good. Simply leave a comment answering this question … Has life ever found you in an unexpected place? On Monday 3/16, I will randomly choose 2 people to bless with this book.
** PLEASE NOTE: The giveaway closed and I have contacted the 2 winners which were picked using random.org.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and Titus 2 Tuesday and The Book Nook and True Story and RaRa Linkup and Teaching What Is Good and Motivate & Rejuvenate Monday and Booknificent Thursday .
My life became undone when I chose to no longer live with my 2 children in an abusive marriage. God has walked beside me every minute when I have sought to hold His hand!
It surely did. And yet, as it became undone it also was put back together. Just beautiful! Good luck in the giveaway š
I never expected that my husband and I would relocate several times. I never expected that fallout from moving would be the primary place where I would see God at work in my life, or that it would be so hard.
It is amazing how in the place where we least expect to see Him at work, He works the most. Thank you for entering the giveaway. You will surely love the book!
Losing my job at almost 60 years of age was devastating…WHO would want to employ a 60 year old “has-been” who was slow and unable to keep up the pace of a busy work atmosphere?
Well, God had other plans!
This book has already blessed me just in reading your review of it! I will be purchasing it if I do not win it!
Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!
Losing a job at any age can be so devastating but especially as one grows older. I am so glad you were able to see God had other plans in store for you. Hope you win!
Life has definitely found me in unexpected places, places of loss and brokenness and places of great joy and delight. Through it all my constant has been the companionship of Christ.
Elizabeth, it is so true. In every experience of life, Christ is our constant. So grateful you shared. Hope you win too!
The beauty of life even in and through it’s worst moments is we serve a GOD WHO is always with us, supplying our every need, and giving us HIS very best. And for me that is always enough. This post was a great reminder of that and I thank you for sharing it with me. Infinite blessings to you, Love! š
#RaRaLinkup š
Tai, it is amazing how in every situation, He provides Himself which we come to realize is all we need. Grateful you shared & I hope you win š
You’re very welcome and thank you! Be blessed, Love! š
Great post and it sounds like a really challenging, but wonderful book! I have found myself in many unexpected places including a cancer diagnosis when I was 19, married at 22 and unemployed for 8 months after graduation and still going! But God is just so awesome through it all! God bless š
Ruth, you will be blessed when you get to read this book. Life’s greatest beauty shows up in the midst of all these circumstances because He is the beauty. Grateful you shared & entered!
I must get this book! This was an excellent review and I think I will enjoy this very much. Thanks for sharing this at Motivating and Rejuvenating Mondays!
Letetia, you will be blessed & encouraged when you get to read this book. So much hopeful truth in every page as Michele points us to Jesus, who brings life to every situation. Grateful you shared & entered!
I never pictured myself dealing with infertility right after marriage. Thankfully, after many doctors and procedures, I found myself pregnant after 3 1/2 years of trying. Now I have 6 beautiful daughters. The Lord moves in mysterious ways! I would love to win a copy of the book. It sounds wonderful!
Isn’t it amazing how in the process of becoming undone, He works all things according to His plan for us. It is a wonderful book & I hope you win š
What a neat picture on the cover of her book. Life at times does turn us upside down. Wow I am sure this book will minister to many who find themselves in difficult situations. Thanks for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Hazel, I agree – the cover is beautiful. But then, every word inside is as well š It is one of the best memoirs I have read. Every chapter breathes life & points us to Jesus.
Sounds like a fabulous book! Anything that places our eyes more on Jesus and less on our selves holds so much power! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
It truly is one of my favorite memoirs! I did not want the book to end. Always good to join you!
This book sounds so good. We moved to NW Ohio 30+ years ago and when we first moved here I didn’t talk with my hubby for 4 days. I was so upset about the move. BUT looking back now, this is just the right place to raise our kids, we have made wonderful friends and have had many opportunities. God indeed blessed us here and I think this is just where he wanted us.
Jean, I love when you share with me as you are so honest. Isn’t it amazing how we come to realize that what seemed to be wrong was so right in God’s plan all along. Oh for grace to trust Him more!