Mel's Book Review: Layers by Sandi Patty

My sister picked the book Layers up when we went to the 2008 Women of Faith, Infinite Grace conference. Wow! What an experience! Any woman who hasn't had the pleasure of attending one of these events, should try to make the next one - very powerful! http://www.womenoffaith.com/


Sandi Patty, a multiple Dove award winner, Grammy Award winner, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame'er, is among the group of inspiring singers, speakers, and entertainers who bring encouragement and God's love to the stage on Women of Faith tours. Most, if not all, of these women are also authors. I would love to read all of their books, but for now here are my thoughts on Sandi Patty's Layers:

As many know, being a Christian in no way spares us from the hurts, pains, and harms of this world. In her book Sandi shares a major childhood event and draws a clear picture of the many resulting protective layers she wrapped herself in. The years from childhood to adulthood she, of course, had more experiences which created more layers -- layers that most of us can identify with in our own lives. She takes her readers on a guided tour of her journey of coming to understand their existence , their causes, and the way they effected her life and her relationships.

Although some protection of our hearts and feelings can be good and healthy, being tightly wrapped in false exteriors can choke out the real us. These layers are originated in fear, and fear is not a true protector.

In Layers, Sandi introduces her beautiful family of eight kids and a loving husband. She also shares some of their family events that further demonstrate how layers can form, but more importantly, how they can be peeled away giving refreshing freedom from bondage, revealing more and more of the beautiful image of God we each bear.

Sandi has a very friendly writing style, speaking to her readers with a tone that gives the feel of a chat with an old friend. She is funny, tender, and real as she shares her experience of entering a mental health facility and all she has gained from that counseling.

I was absolutely moved by the way Sandi takes a C. S. Lewis story, and helps bring to light just how we layer ourselves and just how willing God is to peel our layers away.

Each chapter ends with a question section, and the question is always the same: So what do I need now? Sandi first asks herself the question and gives her answer. She then asks the reader the question and leaves blanks for an answer. I always had an answer to put down. Sometimes I could barely wait to get to this section because so much would be uncovered in my own heart though the chapters. This exercise was definitely therapeutic just as it was meant to be.

Reading this book helped me see more clearly my own layers, and gave me tools to begin my own peeling process. In a way, this book exhausted me - in a really good way, that is. I cried a lot, I laughed, I prayed, and I did some healing.

I will read this one a second time. I hope you will give it a read; I think you will enjoy it!