Category: Book Reviews

It has become such an honor to read books and share my thoughts with you all. I’m an avid reader and enjoy most of what I read, but I am rather choosy when it comes to what I read.

Perhaps some of you have seen the buzz on social media about a book called “Untangled: Let God Loosen the Knots of Insecurity in Your Life.” Let me let you in on a little secret….this. book. is. life. changing.

When talking of untangling the knots of insecurity in my (or your) life, Carey Scott talks with the authority of someone who KNOWS. She has lived it. She has clearly experienced the pain and trauma that breeds insecurity. And yet, here in her story, she tells us how she has walked with God to clean up this jumbled, tangle of knots.

Carey shares her personal stories of heartache. She pulls in relevant scripture to prove that the insecurities that keep women tied in knots are nothing but lies from the enemy. Carey is transparent and never once made me feel like she’s ‘arrived’ or that I should feel as though I’m ‘not enough.’ Her words and her story are a testament to the fact that the God of the universe cares for her and you and me. He can untangle what the enemy has tangled. I can tell that her faith is as authentic and genuine as her writing.

As I write this, I have a friendship with an amazing man that has the potential to turn into something more. And yet, I can relate all too well with Carey’s words from the first chapter, “My Tangled Mess.”

“I’ve struggled to trust that anyone could genuinely care for someone like me. After all, I was damaged goods – worthless. With all the girls in the world to choose from, why would any good man want me?…I didn’t trust the motives of men either. In my opinion, they would say the right words to get what they wanted…I was always waiting for them to hurt me again, because that’s what men did.”

My past is one of the tangles that God is so faithfully working on in me. Carey didn’t let her past abuse define her, and I won’t let my past (NOT one with abuse – thank God! But plenty of other issues.) define me.

Carey also mentions that:

“Truth is, I never really believed I was important to God. How could I have been? If I really mattered, He would have saved me from (__fill in the blank with your own issues__). God would have sheltered me from the hurt and the pain…In His sovereignty, God knew evil would find me that day. And while He could have stopped the enemy’s plan, He didn’t. That’s been a hard reality to accept…But maybe, just maybe, he allowed it to happen because His plans were to also give me… a voice.”

WOW! That’s a hard pill to swallow, isn’t it? That God could have saved us from the events that have us in a tangled mess. But in His sovereignty, in His plans, in His perfect knowledge and will for the world and our lives…He didn’t. And what we, as believers, have to understand is that we live in a fallen world. We live in a world full of sinners, just like us. We live in a world that has sought beauty, fame, riches, and our own way. In a place like this, there will NEVER be an absence of pain and suffering and hurting.

BUT GOD…is still on the throne. And His plan is bigger than any mistakes we have made, than anything we’ve done right, than anything we’ve done wrong, than any hurt we’ve inflicted or had to recover from.

We, as believers, have to remember that God’s plan is bigger than our mistakes. He knows what He’s doing. And in many situations, He allows evil to touch our lives so that we can remember who we are and WHOSE we are.

His plans for us are good and filled with hope and purpose. Nothing can separate us from His love. He works out ALL things, in ALL situations, at ALL times for our good. Before He formed us in our mother’s wombs, He knew us. Even the very hairs on our heads are numbered by him. He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. He loves us so much that He sent His only son to pay the cost of our sins.

In case you didn’t know it, friend, He is crazy about you. And He doesn’t want you to live all tangled up in knots. Knots woven by the enemy from lies told and believed.

Here’s the fun part! Carey Scott (the author of this wonderful book, in case I forgot to tell you) has created this survey…it’s not long…and the purpose is to help you find YOUR tangle. Take the quiz, and come back and leave a comment with your tangle. When you do that, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a FREE copy of her book. (Don’t forget to leave your email address, so I can get in contact with you.)

Here’s the survey: https://untangledwomen.com/whats-your-tangle/

You, my sweet readers, are so important to me. I don’t want you living in tangles either. Let’s follow the walk Carey has started for us and untangle those knots of insecurity.

The giveaway will be open until 5:00 pm on Friday, June 12.

“A warning: there’s a pretty good chance you won’t feel like the same person after reading this book.”

So starts the introduction to The Heart of the Amish, Life Lessons on Peacemaking and the Power of Forgiveness, by Suzanne Woods Fisher. And she was right! Not knowing what to expect when I turned the first page, I was quickly swept into the world of the Plain People.

Because the Amish prefer a secluded and private life, people like you and me aren’t typically exposed to the type of stories found within these pages. Fisher’s stories are short (3-5 pages) but they pack a powerful punch! From an outward perspective some of these stories may seem minor (Everyday Friction), when compared to the life-altering stories of the Nickel Mines shooting (Turning Points), but they are all impactful in a meaningful way.

Each chapter begins with an Amish proverb that ties to the story of the chapter. Fisher then tells each story in simple, easy to follow writing. The stories varied in content, but always featured the forgiveness that Amish are noted for having. At the end of the story, there is a section of the chapter which offers Reflections on Peacemaking, which features ‘what-if’ scenarios and thought-provoking questions to lead the reader on their own journey of forgiveness. Finally, at the end of most chapters, a ‘Plain Truth,’ or fact about the Amish faith and lifestyle, was offered.

I knew I had found a true gem of a book when I began underlining in the Introduction and didn’t stop until the Epilogue. Typically the pen doesn’t come out until later in my reading. We learn in the Introduction one huge area the Amish are different, as Fisher tells us, is that they expect life not to be fair, so when hard things come, the Amish have experience on how to manage them. Plus, their world view is not self-centered.

I will say that I never expected this book to impact me the way it has. I am looking at people and situations and relationships differently now that I’ve absorbed these words. For anyone who wants a light read that will not question their beliefs, then you need to pass on this book.

BUT, if you are looking for an easy read, told with the grace and simplicity of coffee and conversation with a good friend, that challenges you to your core, then this is the book for you. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I am now on the hunt for Fisher’s other books on the Amish.

You can read what others are saying about this book on Amazon here.