Layers - Book Review

I have always loved Christian recording artist, and now author/speaker, Sandi Patty. Her voice is amazing and her love for the Lord shines in her eyes as she speaks. In fact, for a long time, I wanted to be just like her. I could think of nothing better than to be on stage singing and sharing about my love for Jesus. But, as is always the case when you idolize someone else’s life, you eventually learn they too, have their share of “stuff.” And, guess what, Sandi’s life is just that; full of life’s tough situations, sin, and God’s redeeming love.

I recently finished reading Sandi’s book, Layers. The book’s subtitle, Uncovering and Celebrating God’s Original Idea of You, pretty much sums up the book. Hmmm…imagine that. Do you suppose they plan that?

Sandi shares with the reader a part of her painful past, her mistakes, and how God is helping her peel back the layers and find her way to the woman God created her to be. She encourages us to see ourselves the way God sees us, beautiful and loved by Him.

Sandi talks a lot in this book about choices. She shares how when she looks in the mirror she can choose to see herself with “Sandi’s eyes”, as “an overweight woman with a puffy face and droopy flesh” or she can choose to see, and “be the reflection of His grace and His love.”

We have choices to make every day; how we are going to deal with our boss, our kids, our spouse, a tough situation, etc. Sandi shares the story of a mother and son who consistently chose the wrong path. They eventually got on the right track but Sandi said this of their time struggling through life. “In every situation, they were one choice away from heading in the right direction . . . or turning down Hard-Lesson Lane.”

Layers is full of lessons, some of which Sandi had to learn the hard way. It’s an easy read, unless, of course, you have some layers that need to be peeled away. But it’ll be worth your time. Peeling away layers is always painful, (think how the poor onion feels) but it’s always worth the effort.

Sandi ended the book by sharing some scripture verses that have helped her as she peeled back some destructive layers in her own life. Zephaniah 3:17 is not only one of her favorite verses, it’s also one of mine. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."