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I initially learned about author Ann Swindell by reading a post she had written for The Gospel Coalition titled, Don’t Write Just to Get Published. As a blogger, I could relate to the sentiments expressed in her post and was encouraged by her truthful and intelligent writing. I began following Ann on social media as a result of the blog post and when I found out she was writing a book, I knew I would have to read it. I was ecstatic when she announced that she was accepting applications to be on the launch team for her first book, Still Waiting and I was equally excited when I received an email stating my application had been accepted.
In Still Waiting, Ann begins each chapter with a fictional narrative from the perspective of the bleeding woman in Mark 5:25-27. I appreciate that Ann made it clear that these were her thoughts on what life might have been like for the bleeding woman and they were not actual Biblical accounts. Although I learned much about what life would have been like for the bleeding woman from a cultural standpoint, I felt that the book could have been equally as enjoyable without the accounts but as Ann’s story unfolded, I recognized her reasons for placing them there.
Still Waiting, overall, is Ann’s personal account of a struggle she has with trichotillomania (a disorder, which for her, results in obsessively pulling out her eyelashes) and her hope that God would take it away. She shared various lessons she’s learned in the waiting and questions that she’s challenged her own heart with to make sure that Christ is always first in her life. I love that Ann shared her story without deviating from the truth of the Gospel and unlike many books for Christian women, Still Waiting foregoes the fluff.
There is presently a plethora of books for Christian women that are all about being broken, messy, etc. that encourage women to have their focus on themselves rather than Christ. Still Waiting, thankfully, is not such a book. Evidence of this is a few sentences found on page 87 of the book where Ann elaborates on Colossians 2:13-15, “We now have a new identity. We are no longer known by God as broken and sinful. Because Jesus took our shame, our sin, and our brokenness, our true identity is now found in him.”
Still waiting is chock full of Biblical reminders that I found especially encouraging in my own season waiting when my husband went through unemployment twice this year.
Two of my favorite aspects of Still Waiting are Ann’s abundant use of Scripture within its context and her willingness to challenge women to consider whether or not their suffering has become idolatrous. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “If I couldn’t have healing, I knew I could still have Christ. He would be enough for me,” (p. 112).
Still Waiting is a bit lengthy but nonetheless a pleasure to read. If you are in a season of waiting, I highly recommend Ann’s book knowing it will be a great encouragement to your heart and soul.
Still Waiting is now available from Amazon and all major booksellers.
I received Still Waiting compliments of Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.
