All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore

Synopsis: Personal testimonies of a woman’s rise and experiences teaching scriptures across the globe.

Writing Style: Satirical. Natural. Spiritual.

Pacing: Moderately Fast.

Personal Highlights: Typical (for many memoirs I come across), I wasn’t familiar with the author but on this one the cover pulled me in. Opened the book and fell right in step with the satirical writing. Exceedingly humorous writing in the first quarter panel. The 50-ish Southern mannerisms describing her home life and spelling out events like the bed sharing…complete with the dialects, nanny expressing her grief in church “wished them folk could make up their mind… if they want us a-settin’ or standin’…” were favorites. These early memories set the pace for great storytelling, to include her recall spotting the black classmate in the theater where (by the way) her father worked …making the best popcorn (a recipe I noted), although and albeit did raise a brow. “We soothed our wounded consciences the best we could” was a cue. Where was the story going? 

Reading the story in its entirety and contemplating the overall narrative at the end was a good reading exercise. Beth’s spiritual journey, and ministry work in general, was not fluid. She described a concoction of strengths and weaknesses and ups and downs. Parts where I paused to reflect on; Well her recall getting baptized was a favorite. The telling of ‘her call to service’ at the GA Camp, another favorite. I respected why Brother John, Marge and Buddy left a ‘deep impression’ on her. And laughed (so hard) at the last time she laid hands on someone (in that praying fashion). Oh.My.Goodness. So funny. But it was the ‘dealmaking’ segment with God ‘on men’ that proffers the deepest inflection spot. Testifying and telling and justifying and judging is a beast to explain…let alone summarize. Just ‘gettin’ through the through is a perfectly natural way to wrap things up. Almost missed this message. Highly recommended. Read Hardcopy 2023 edition.