When was the last time you paused to really think about your memories? Everyone has them and our memories--both good and bad--are so important to who we are. However, many times we do not stop to think about all of the stories that make up our past and impact our future. Casey Tygrett's new book As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life published by InterVarsity Press sets out to change how you interact with your memories.
Frequently, we only wish to engage with our happy memories. The warm fuzzies of life or the mountain top experiences are important, but sometimes we benefit from or learn more as a person from the not so great memories. Often, the times when we completely blew it are the memories that God uses to teach us and help us grow. Tygrett uses psychology and spirituality to show how memories help us to grow as a person and a Christ-follower. He particularly emphasizes the importance of redeeming our memories instead of pretending they do not exist. Tygrett uses a wide variety of imagery to refer to memories and frequently uses the motif of shells and collecting seashells. Another image which particularly resonated with me was drywall and that you can't put up new drywall over a mess without cleaning it up first."
Casey's strengths as a spiritual director and Bible teacher shine in his book. Throughout the book, Tygrett moves easily from psychology topics and brain research related to memories to Bible teaching and spiritual exercises. Along side these researched, teaching portions, he transparently shares many stories of his own life and memories as well as stories from his ministries. His tone is very conversational even when referencing researched sections. His writing style and sharing from his own life experiences creates a very readable and engaging book that you might be tempted to read straight through. However, failure to stop and put the "Pauses" that included at the end of every chapter into practice would be a huge mistake. These spiritual exercises help you to process the content and truly serve to help you redeem your memories to further your spiritual walk.
As I Recall is a marvelous book you will want to add to your collection. You will wish to dip back into the riches frequently and will find it useful to engage in the "Pauses" on a regular basis. Individuals who work as counselors or spiritual directors will wish to encourage others to read and work through this book. Small groups who know each other well and are willing to be vulnerable with each other may find this book helpful to read together as well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book As I Recall via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I am also privileged to have known and interacted with the author while he was a student.
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