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I’m becoming more concerned with being inwardly honest, rather than outwardly polished. – from ‘Grace is Messy‘
Steve Austin is the blogger of the popular Christian website Grace is Messy. On the site he gives his daily reflections on his life and how they connect with his Christianity and faith in Jesus.
The writings on the blog have given birth to Steve’s lifelong dream to write and publish a book. He’s pieced together blog posts into 10 different categories such Grace for Relationships, Grace for the Outcasts and Grace for Families with the end result being ‘Grace is Messy”: Reflections on Jesus”.
Steve is currently running a Go Fund Me Campaign in order to publish the book and ultimately establish a non-profit.
I had a chance to read an advanced copy of “Grace Is Messy” which I’ll review below and also interviewed Steve for our Author’s Spotlight Series.
Grace is Messy: Reflections on Jesus is a short read filled with deep reflections. In total, there are 62 one or two page passages which is the result of blog posts written and pieced together as a uniform and easy flowing book.
Author Steve Austin shares stories from his life and weaves bible quotes and messages throughout each passage. Though the book is Christian based and does include the bible quotes it isn’t a down your throat and in your face type of religious book.
It isn’t even a spoonful of sugar type of book. The quotes and spiritual reflections are more a natural part of the flavoring in his writing style. They fit seamlessly in his stories and messages.
He delves into his bout with suicide and the demons he had to face as a result and ultimately how he overcame the feeling of wanting to end it all. He reflects on his childhood and being molested at such a young age and how grace helped him forgive and move on.
The story he shares of the 500lb man in the wheelchair touched me the most. Knowing that the simplest of gestures can mean the world to someone is very humbling.
As a mom, I also was touched by the story he shared of what he’s learned from his own mom. It’s always interesting to see how kids will explain the condensed version of the years of parenting.
As you read the stories you almost feel him going through the reflective and therapeutic process as he writes. Yet as raw and real as some of the memories he writes about may be, it’s doesn’t feel like an intrusion on his deepest thoughts. You feel an understanding and a sense of comfort in knowing that as he says, Grace truly is messy.
It’s an enjoyable read that will put a smile on your face and make you think about your own gratitude and grace in a positive way. As I mentioned, though it is a Christian based book I would recommend it to all who just want a bit of positivity and good story reading in their day to day.
You do not have to be a doormat in order to be a Christian. Turning the other cheek doesn’t mean you stand around, just waiting to be smacked around. – from Grace is Messy
Quick Q & A with Steve Austin:
What inspired you to become a writer?
I started writing in 1st grade and won the town’s Halloween Poetry contest (true story). I guess the fact that my family won the pizza from our local pizza parlor that night proved to me that I could do anything! I LOVE pizza!
But seriously, writing is my therapy. My website, www.graceismessy.com is where I blog almost every single day. There are times when I am amazed at the comments I get or the blog posts that people choose as their “favorites”, because I think, “that trash? I was just puking on paper!”
Who is your favorite author?
Brennan Manning, author of “The Ragamuffin Gospel” because he showed me that there is a God who loves me as I am, not as I should be.
Describe your ‘Grace is Messy’ in 30 words or less.
My book is faith-filled, though not religious. It is full of the messes of my life that God has turned into lessons of hope for myself and others.
What are the last book you read?
Devotions for the Man in the Mirror: It is a challenging book, on a personal level, which urges you to live a life completely surrendered to God, because half-surrender is a life of compromise.
“The Shack”: William Paul Young, the author, took my preconceived notions of God out of the box and destroyed the box. That book wrecked me.
“Forrest Gump”: After seeing the movie countless times, I realized how much I have missed by not reading the book sooner. It is a true masterpiece.
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