Shame Lifter...

Marilyn Hontz – friend, fellow pastor’s wife, mom to five grown children, grandma to six, speaker, and author – recently published her second book, Shame Lifter. I was looking forward to getting a copy when I discovered it at a friend's house when we were staying with their kids while they were on a cruise. I debated what book to take with me for reading material, but never really settled on anything. As soon as I saw Marilyn's book, I knew that was the book to read. I finished it in three days and found it to be thought provoking and insightful. Anyone who reads this book will find themselves reflecting on their own life. Shame-givers come in a variety of forms... for me it was two grade-school teachers who instilled a shamed based sense of inadequacy in me.

I plan to get my own copy of Shame Lifter so I can go back over the questions at the end of each chapter. Plus I have a lot of highlighting to do! Marilyn writes with transparency of her growing up years living in an environment that produced within her a sense of shame, leaving her with nagging thoughts that imposed on her life. These shame-based feelings held her in a prison of self-condemning thoughts that tormented her whenever she would receive a compliment, especially after speaking in public.

One loving, but honest comment made to Marilyn after a speaking engagement began a journey to finding freedom from the shame-based thoughts that plagued Marilyn for years. Anyone who struggles with anything along these same lines will find themselves absorbed in Marilyn's story. But she doesn't leave you hanging in defeat or wallowing in hopelessness. At the end of each chapter Marilyn gives questions for reflection, then gives positive and encouraging tips that she calls "Shame Lifters," and offers an insightful and meaningful prayer of commitment and renewal.

Whenever I am with Marilyn she always draws me to Jesus. That's what I love about her! Her writing does the same. She draws her readers to the ultimate Shame Lifter and shares how she found victory and freedom in the love and truth of her heavenly Father. She writes, "no longer do I want my past circumstances, lies, or shame to shape me. I long to be shaped by the Lord Jesus."

The Lord Jesus has been shaping me over the years so that I no longer see myself as inadequate. Marilyn's book affirmed His good work in my life and gave me new levels of understanding in my walk in freedom. Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing your story!

"Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces."
Psalm 34:5