You don’t hear many parenting experts talk about integrity, but I think parental integrity is vital – especially if you hope to dedicate your children to God. Integrity is more than just being honest, although that’s vital in parenting too. The other definition of integrity is someone who isn’t divided – a person who is whole. Who she says she is matches who she appears to be and most importantly matches who she is at her very core.
You can be a “good” parent and teach your children morals without being a Christian parent at your very core. I believe God calls us to be His people in the entirety of our being, not just as an extra-curricular activity we expose our kids to along with sports and scouting.
I was interested then when asked to review the book, Brazen: The Courage to Find the You That’s Been Hiding by Leeana Tankersley. The premise is promising. Women are not reaching their godly potential because they are afraid to show the world their talents, beliefs, etc. (My interpretation of her words.) It theoretically addresses the various reasons women hide parts of themselves and gives strategies for feeling free to show the inner core of your being to others.
The reality of the book was however, disappointing. Honestly, I just never could get past her writing style. To me, it read like a New Age book dressed in Christian clothing. She mentions God occasionally, but there weren’t a lot of references to actual scriptures or godly principles other than “God is Love” and the other expressions easily coopted by secular writers.
While the ideas in some of the chapters weren’t ungodly, the descriptions she often used and her word choices made things that may have been godly in her head, sound very New Age. “Your Creative Center” “Soul Time” and other similar expressions kept making me feel like I was reading a book written in the 1970’s.
The book is not devoid of helpful ideas. Ultimately though, I didn’t feel it was worth the effort to weed through the artsy, questionable wording to focus on whatever points she was trying to make. Others who enjoy that style of writing may enjoy the book. If, however, you prefer a more direct style with lots of scripture references and/or easily found practical ideas, I think you will walk away more frustrated than helped.
This book was given to me for free in exchange for my honest review. An affiliate link is included for your convenience.