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A REVIEW
OF ON THEIR WAY TO WONDERFUL: A JOURNEY WITH RUTH AND NAOMI
By Leah Welch
Linda H.
Hollies’ devotional book of stories weaves the narratives of
biblical and contemporary “Ruths” and “Naomis” in a way that
makes the biblical tale alive and relevant. She brings out
issues that are central to the biblical story but also apply to
the lives of Christians today. Hollies covers multicultural
relationships and friendships, especially the experiences of
women, in an engaging manner. She discusses the particular
concerns that African American women might have, but her
inclusive attitude is such that I think all people, female and
male from various ethnic and racial backgrounds, should have
something to learn from Hollies.
CBE members
will be encouraged by the stance that Hollies takes toward women
in ministry. She assumes that women are as gifted and called by
God as men are, and provides many narratives of strong women
leaders she has met and with whom she has shared seasons of her
own life. The tone of Hollies’ book is celebratory and
optimistic, but she still addresses important and serious
concerns. Hollies seeks to tell the truth about women’s feelings
and experiences that arise out of negative societal and church
assumptions, stereotypes, and conditioning.
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Hollies
assumes that women are as gifted and called by God
as men are, and provides many narratives of strong
women leaders she has met. |
Because of the
honesty of Hollies’ writing, there were many segments of the
book to which I could relate. Hollies accurately described my
experiences of questioning and doubting myself because of my
gender. I imagine that other women will find similar moments
of illumination and identification as they too read this book.
However, since Hollies’ project is about empowerment and
encouragement, she does not leave the reader with a bitterly
pessimistic sense of solidarity. She enthusiastically offers
possible solutions for various challenges and feelings that
people may undergo.
Each chapter
tells the stories of one or two women whom Hollies knows and how
their life experiences relate to the biblical story of Ruth. She
then converses with the reader about how she might use the
strength found through Ruth to act as a “contemporary Ruth.”
Because of the example of Ruth and the value that Christ
attributes to all persons, Hollies is confident in the ability
and worth of female leaders in the church and world. The end of
each chapter offers a list of questions and space for the reader
to reflect upon one’s own life.
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Because of the example of Ruth and
the value that Christ attributes to all persons,
Hollies is confident in the ability and worth of
female leaders in the church and world. |
One of the
features of the book that I found most helpful was the
appendix for adapting the book to a small group setting.
This section will be a favorite for CBE members, as it
uncovers the ways that women can be held down in Christian
settings, but also how they can continue to use their
leadership gifts in the face of opposition and how they can
encourage one another to practice ministry despite cultural
setbacks.
Hollies’
book has a great message for women and men. She empowers
African American women, and teaches those who are
from other ethnicities, by
revealing the pervasiveness and destruction of racism and
cultural stereotypes. The book also has something valuable
to say in general to women who feel disenfranchised by the
church and men who desire to support women who experience
discrimination and exclusion. Hollies offers companionship
with this book, and even graciously gives her contact
information if readers wish to communicate with her
personally. On Their Way to Wonderful is thus a
significant read on many levels.
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