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Flunking Sainthood – Book Review

February 20, 2014 By Jean Wise

healthyspirituality.org

Author Jane Riess has recently published a book by the delightful title of Flunking Sainthood.

She tells the story of her year long experience, trying various spiritual practices like fasting, honoring the Sabbath and generosity.

What I loved about this book is she honestly shares not her success, but her failure with every single practice she tried. It was refreshing to read her reactions, knowing I would be flunking sainthood right along with her.

“What emerges is a vulnerable story of the quest for perfection and the reality of failure, which turns out to be a valuable spiritual practice in and of itself.”

Even her subtitle is refreshing and freeing: “A year of breaking the Sabbath, forgetting to pray and still loving my neighbor.”

I love her conclusion:

“In a culture that stresses perfection, I’ve often heard the maxim that ‘good is the enemy of perfect’, in other words, when people of faith aim for anything short of godliness we miss the mark.

I’ve learned the reverse is true: perfect is the enemy of good.

I may have spent a year flunking sainthood, but along the way I’ve had unexpected epiphanies and wild glimpses of the holy I would however have experience without these crazy practices.” 

I am taking this book along on our trip to Florida to finish a few of the chapters I skipped – see in addition to flunking sainthood, I also flunk finishing books. HA!  But I wanted to share it with you as I think her honesty, vulnerability and willingness to venture out of her comfort zone are great lessons for all of us.

What books have you read lately to share with us?

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Comments

  1. soulstops says

    February 20, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    Thankfully, our sainthood depends on what Christ did for us and not on what we do….that is the hopeful message I am receiving as we study Romans in our women’s group….sounds like a delightful book…thank you for sharing this, Jean, and I pray you have a great trip 🙂 Thank you also for your prayers; you are such a wonderful and prayerful friend 🙂

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:42 pm

      you are so right, Dolly. In Atlanta right now and so far a great trip. just good to have a change of routine and out of snowy cold Ohio!!

  2. blankNancy Ruegg says

    February 20, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Some definite wisdom coming from Jane Reiss. Perfectionism is not what Jesus had in mind when he said to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect! But it IS an easy trap to fall into, isn’t it.

    I’m currently reading Billy Graham’s latest book, Nearing Home, about “life, faith, and finishing well.” More wisdom to absorb!

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:41 pm

      I read that Billy Graham book. such wisdom!

  3. blankLisa notes... says

    February 20, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Love the title of this book. I often feel and know that I am flunking sainthood too.

    I’ve learned the reverse is true: perfect is the enemy of good.”
    So true!

    I’m about to take a trip to Florida too and will definitely be packing a few books (and of course my Kindle!). One book is Chesterton’s ‘Orthodoxy’; I’ve been wanting to read it for years but have failed to, so I’m committing to it now. 🙂 Enjoy your travels and your reading.

    • blankJean Wise says

      February 20, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      shows the value of a good title. That is what first drew me to the book, then the contents were also a great find. Hope you enjoy Florida too. We will be in Orlando visiting my sister in law, and I will also be attending the Florida Christian Writers Conference. next week. so relaxing, visiting and learning in some warmth out of Ohio. Can’t beat that. enjoy your time. My kindle is coming along too.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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