Leeana Tankersley has one of the most powerful voices in Christian nonfiction. This book is a great book for anyone who struggles to move on and create the life of their dreams.

I read this book twice this year. It's that good! From it, I learned how to begin again and be gracious to myself. Through surrender, I find freedom and my true self that God created me to be. I also learned that I want to "attend" and be present in my life. As I have begun to practice this principle, I feel more connected to myself, God and my loved ones.
I highly recommend this book and will read it again in 2019.

Author Leanna Tankersley leads us on a memoir-like path of healing in this important book. She shares with deep vulnerability about her quest to follow God with her whole heart and what she had to lay down in the process. She talks about trying too hard, numbing herself, surviving instead of thriving. By beginning again every morning during a healing season, she learned to face the truth about herself and lean into God’s truth instead.

Her stories are raw and rich. My heart felt heavy as she described a woman’s blistering criticism of her parenting in Target. When she described how she dealt with her needy little girl self, her feelings resonated perfectly with mine. I appreciate her bravery in facing the darkest places inside and coming out stronger in faith.

My favorite quotes:
“No matter what, God is holding me. He says: ‘You do not need to do more, fix yourself, or hold anything together. You just need to fall back into my grace, trade your trying for trust.'”
“That’s the lesson of Jacob: the limp is not a mark of failure; it is the mark of showing up.”
“Each and every one of us is an eligible receiver. I am eligible to receive wisdom, illumination, comfort, and counsel. These are not things I must wait for others to provide for me. These are things I can receive from God.”
“What are you asking to keep you safe that has no investment in your safety whatsoever?”
“God doesn’t grow weary of your winding path.”
Begin Again doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. It’s not an easy read, but it is a healing and hopeful one. If you’re looking for healing this summer, this book may be just what you need to help you begin again.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free preview copy of this book.

This was a book that definitely made me think about my own life. This was an awe-inspiring, eye opening read. I do wish it had a lot more scriptural context to it as I love a good book with scripture references, but even with the few it had I loved it. It was full of real life concerns and thoughts that we all have. The focus of this book was simply to make every day a new beginning. It may sound hard to do, especially when you drown yourself in worry, mistakes and your own personal thoughts; however, this Leeana shares a few ways to help get you on the track of surrendering to God. Totally recommend this book!

I have now read the book, listened (first) and I re-listened to parts of the book as well. In my reading on the kindle, I highlighted aspects and copied quotes into a notebook to review again and again. So I am editing my review.

Leanna Tankersley teaches us about ourselves by sharing her own introspection and process over her adult lifetime. She speaks therapeutically when she reminds us that it is our job (especially as women) to dialogue with ourselves as you would a friend, not an enemy. She shares that often our response to shame or to self is to treat yourself negatively, critically, but it really is important that we learn and remember how to treat me- and recognize we aren't failing, things are hard because things are hard,... So she shares how she searches for herself, in a move it forward manner, including looking at the source, her deeper belief, knowing she's made for more, to be well, and to follow God's voice. And to recognize that we often put ourselves in a cyclical pattern, instead of stepping forward in the next step of our journey.

Her approach to receiving rest- is one I wholeheartedly agree with- she quotes St. Augustine "Our heart is restless until we find rest in Thee." Then St. Benedictine- "Always we begin again." She sees this as the holiness of repetition. The *practice* of beginning again is a gift you give yourself.

This book uses terms and language that are counseling or therapy oriented, some religious and benedictine, and widely used, but can have different meanings, and one of the reasons I was drawn to this book. Phrases such as: "always begin again", "the practice", "listening" as a practice, being "centered", "be present", "hold space for myself" terms that I've not been raised with to have the same priority as they seem to have today, but she also uses key theology phrases (I think in the same way I learned them) to share what seems to be a biblical world or self view- like "seal", "rooted", "breathed new life", "love', "God's grace", "mercy",... so this is part of my process- knowing that I am understanding the concepts.

The author is sharing how she has learned that in life- it is necessary to 'begin again' often, but it's not as simple as saying 'redo' like we might do with our children on a morning when everything has been off. For adults who are growing, communing with our Great Creator and God, it's a bit more introspective than that. She combines the liturgy, spiritual practices, and then creates her own terms from her life experiences that she uses from that point on.

Not only must we 'begin again' but we must be willing to make sure we know we are 'held', 'sit in the truth', "eliminate the dead trees" that our blocking our view- we may need to "burn away" some raw edges, and put our big girl pants on (my term she has a more poetic way of discussing her inner 9 year old self) and face who we are, who we want to be, and how we may need to see ourselves differently with grace as we would a friend, so that we can move ahead, grow, and truly find rest in the Lord and in living this life. She speaks poetically (similar to Ann Voskamp at times, but her own flair for words.) Mixed with words or concepts from "prophets, monks, and mystics" like "choosing the opening up," 'held-ness", "sit in this truth", "feel centered and rooted and you will feel connected to God and to your own soul," words that could be concerning or viewed as new age, but I am learning that we are in an era, where we find language that researchers will use, that people before our time used, that are religious or soul terms, and it seems we are mixing this language into our faith based practices because perhaps this language can articulate clearer, that which is hard to express and is within us. So I admit, that's part of my uncomfortableness in hearing and reading this book. I'm working through the meaning and implications of the concepts being explained or revealed. But I'm recognizing that is a strength as I'm making this my own process and thoughts, and taking what perhaps on my own, I would never have found words to share.

My review is between I really liked it and it was amazing- because it's a book that draws you to think deeply (which makes it amazing in my thinking) but at times my own mind is too cluttered to really grasp all of the expressions and applications that the author used in her story telling, and I'm having to re-read and re-think as I internalize, and maybe that's an argument for marking it an 'amazing' book. Perhaps I need my own scale!

I'm still processing this book, and need to begin again-- as I listened to the book, and there are so many thoughts that if I were reading, I would re-read, take a note, process, etc. I have paused as I read to internalize, but this book I will listen to several more times I imagine. I was attracted to this book from the post on Ann Voskamp's blog, I was also interested as knowing that Shauna Niequist wrote the forward to it, and the title alone- it would have a language and feel that I've become familiar with through Brene Brown and Shauna Niequist books. The benedictine aspect intrigued me as I know that the liturgies and practices of old so often are still vital and essential.

I found this book more intentional, more biblically oriented than I expected. I sort of expected a level of cliche phrases that were pretty generic and undefined, and that is not what I got. I was so pleased to have "begin again" explained, modeled, evaluated and as well connected to truth. There are a few questions in my mind about some of Leanna's techniques to find herself, but that's real thinking and evaluating, so it is helpful.

The author and I are close to the same age- and I can envision her life easily and her attempts to embrace rest as well as releasing hurt-- it takes being brave- vulnerable-authentic and real and that's what I appreciate most-- her unguarded sharing of her learning and processing how to be herself and be the best person she truly is- all the time.
Thanks to my public library for the audio version of this book and to netgalley for an e-version to review and share my thoughts.

I enjoyed this book from Leanne. For those who are beginning something new, starting over, have recently moved, or feel like "the new girl" this will feel like opening a book of encouragement from a friend.

This book is like a light breeze that blows a flower across the meadow. It moves you from this place of being stuck in tight, uncomfortable places, to being brave as you become more of who you are. It’s in that place of becoming who we were created to be that allows you to acknowledge who God is and what he’s bringing to life inside of you. Then, when we surrender it all, we are fully able to begin again. 

Tankersly reminds us that we have a chance to begin again, over and over in our lives. With our selves. With the way we practice our faith and understand who God is to us. With the ways we interact with those around us. We have to choose to loosen our grip on those hurt places within us and begin to live again. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own, honest opinion.

Begin Again by Leeana Tankersley was my first book by this author. It was not the type of book that I would normally read. However, an unexpected job transfer drew me to this book. with the subtitle of releasing hurt and receiving rest. The authentic tone and honest confressions of the author made this book powerful. Tankersly's base is more of the married, harried mom, but her insights are universal. Tears were shed reading this book, but it was worth the journey. with biblical scriptures to support the advice. I would recommed this book to those who are overwhelmed and are struggling with their faith.

Begin Again is the perfect book for a weary woman. When life is battering you from all sides and your just not sure how you're going to get above the waves. Tankersley reminds us that we can begin again, that where we are is not where we have to stay. She uses her vulnerability and her own life to guide us towards healing.

The author of this book wrote in a style that displayed her vulnerability, which made her relatable. This style of writing is the main reason this book would be ideal for anyone struggling.

Begin Again is a good book for someone who feels overwhelmed with life, in need of a pause, or healing. Tankersley's vulnerability is admirable and makes it easy to relate to her. Her writing is smooth and easy to read and she seamlessly entwines personal stories with Biblical references.

Begin Again
The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt and Receiving Rest
by Leeana Tankersley

Revell

Christian
Pub Date 03 Apr 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Begin Again through Revell and Netgalley:


When life begins to trip and fail us and failure starts to creep in many of us keep on doing whatever we are doing somehow hoping for different results. Or we look for an escape, a way out of the mess we created for ourselves.


In Begin Again we are reminded that there are ways we can get through these times have a talk with God every morning about what he wants us to do for the day and write what he puts on our heart down.

We are reminded that we need to allow ourselves to Begin Again, everyday in all aspects of our lives. Leanna Tankersley shows women how to forgive themselves and develop patterns of living with lyrical prose.


We are reminded too that there is a difference from believing and bullying.


I give Begin Again five out of five stars!



Happy Reading