Thursday, February 19, 2015

What I've been reading - Let's all be Brave by Annie Downs

I heard an interview with Annie Downs at some point, though I can't remember where. I do remember thinking my wife would really enjoy hearing and/or reading her so I picked up Annie's latest book "Let's all be Brave" The book had sat for a few months on the shelf until I picked it up a couple weeks ago and began reading it aloud to our family. I turns out our three year old will (mostly) quietly sit on mommy's lap and listen to daddy read. (our almost 2 year old just goes about his usual path of destruction) We have all been enjoying this time together, not only the reading together but reading this book together. The book is written as a series of letters and very conversational. Annie begins each chapter by indicating where and when it was written in the hope that we will have a better sense of where she was at as she wrote each chapter. Annie walks us through her own journey of becoming brave. I think it particular book really resonates with me because she tells of how she left her safe place, the small town she grew up in, and ventured out into the world, knowing only that God was leading her somewhere. She helps us see that sometimes being brave is simply taking the first step and trusting on the ones that follow. The book is easy to read and infused with humour and a ready down-to-earthness that is easy to relate to. Annie shares a message and encouragement that I think we all need at times, that we're all scared and all need to be brave.