Review: Of Stillness And Storm

Last updated on: March 25, 2017 at 9:33 am by Michelle Van Loon

Review: Of Stillness And Storm 2017-03-25T09:33:47-05:00 Michelle Van Loon

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

My husband and I once had a pastor whose wife had never signed on with her husband’s calling. She married a businessman, not a downwardly-mobile spiritual entrepreneur who had meetings 4 nights a week and dealt with congregational crisis what seemed like 8 nights a week while she was left to function as a single parent to their three young kids. She stood by his side gamely, but his calling took a toll on her during the years we knew her. When I think of her face during those years, it is of a pasted-on smile and gritted teeth.

They eventually left the pastorate. Though we’ve lost touch through relocation and time, through the miracle (!) that is Facebook, occasionally, I see pictures of her laughing and relaxed. Even factoring in the reality that we typically put the shiniest, happiest images of ourselves on social media, the difference in her smile shines through her snaps. She’s not gritting her teeth any more.

stillness The story of a family coming in second or fourth or whatever while a spouse pursues ambition as his or her first love isn’t a novel one. It takes on additional bulletproof potency when that kind of ambition is blended with spiritual passion. “God told me…” silences all arguments, and muzzles all questions.

In her book Of Stillness and Storm, author Michele Phoenix tells the fictional story of a headstrong missionary named Sam who uproots his family to follow his call to the ends of the earth to share the love of Jesus with mountain tribal people in Nepal. Wife Lauren and son Ryan don’t hear the same call, and Sam uses the “wives, submit” card in order to uproot his family and go. What was once love and respect between Sam and Lauren sours to neglect on Sam’s part and resentment on Lauren’s. Young teen Ryan grows increasingly depressed as he feels trapped in a place he never wanted to be.

As Lauren reconnects with a childhood love via social media, she gives voice to the unhappiness that has long simmered just below the surface of her dogged submission. The book is a slow journey toward her awakening as she begins to recognize her own role in this dysfunctional-in-God’s-name marital and family dynamic.

This was a worthwhile read that will offer readers insight into how ambition can warp the beauty of a life surrendered to God. I didn’t entirely track with the story arc of Lauren’s childhood love, as it felt a little hurried and not entirely authentic in spots. However, the relationship between Sam, Lauren, and Ryan was a frank and heartbreaking portrayal of a family sacrificed on the altar of ministry ambition. Phoenix writes well, and this story will be all too familiar to anyone who has spent time in “full-time Christian ministry”. Recommended.

Note: I received a comp copy of the book from the publisher, but the cost I paid ($0.00) did not affect my review.

Books

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 22, 2017

What Do Your Kids Know About Communion?

Next Post

April 3, 2017 Holy Week: Where "Follow Me" Leads Us

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Baggage Books Calendar Church and Ministry CVID Ecclesiology Everyday Christian life Faith Falling Upward From The Margins Housing Jesus Movement's Unintended Consequences Midlife Midlife Survey #1 Midlife Survey #2 Moments and Days Out To The Margins Pilgrim's Road Trip Regret Seminary Spiritual Formation Uncategorized What's A Nice Jewish Grandmother Like You Doing In Seminary? When The Heart Waits Writing

Select a Month June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was cast into a fiery furnace but was unharmed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Moses, Aaron, and Joshua Daniel Elijah and Elisha