I was first “introduced” to Beth Moore when I joined MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) approximately 20 or so years ago. MOPS is an organization that ministers to moms with kids between birth and 5 years old. As I write, I cannot help but chuckle at this, because I find myself, at 51 years of age, after sending two children to college, a mother of a preschooler yet again. But…that’s another story for another time.
Anyway, I never did the Breaking Free Bible study, but everyone I talked to said it was powerful and they highly recommended it. I did, however, participate in the Patriarchs, Daniel and Believing God Bible studies that my church held. I grew so much in my affection for God and in my knowledge of God and His Word. I so appreciated her unapologetic enthusiasm for God and His Word, her southern draw, her down-to-earth disposition and her sense of humor. I was also impressed with her ability to speak respectfully of others whether they were deserving or not. I often thought to myself, “Wow! What an amazing life she must have”. She seemed to have a really close relationship with the Lord (and I am not suggesting that she did not/does not-I’m was just looking from the outside), a loving husband and two precious daughters. And, I was pretty confident that she was not receiving phone call for delinquent student loan payments like I was. For me, her life was one to covet.
Well, more life happened, and I was not tuning into her Wednesdays with Beth segments on LIFE Today as much. I started reading about accusations of her being a false teacher. I did not necessarily agree with those allegations, but I’m just going to be transparent here. I have a fear of spiritual deception. Like, the whole Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Heaven’s Gate situations have had me spooked. It is easy to belittle and think unkind thoughts of those who perished under the leadership of those individuals/groups. The fact, however, is that we are all capable of being deceived. As believers with a sin nature, living in a fallen world, and the subject of Satan’s incessant attacks, there is a measure of deception that we are all susceptible to and must ask the Lord to make us aware of it.
My dad had a childhood friend who invited him to San Francisco to check out the People’s Temple. He did not go, but his friend would subsequently perish in the Jonestown massacre. I could have been one of the children who was forced to drink the cyanide-laced Kool-Aid in Guyana in 1978. I say all of this to say that because of that fear and my lack of bandwidth (at the time with so much going on in my life) to sort through all the mess to find the truth, I just kind of “took a step back” from Beth Moore. When I was unable to find anything to substantiate those claims, I started following her on Instagram. Fast forward to recently, I learned that her memoir would be released soon. At my earliest convenience, I ordered it.
The style of writing in the book is classic Beth Moore. She is sharp, witty, and authentic. As I read, I could picture her with me and a few other women hangin’ out at a Starbucks somewhere, listening to her share her story while having coffee. Well, I don’t drink coffee, so I would probably have a warmed blueberry muffin (but not one of those “new” muffins, but the “old” kind-the kind with the crumbled streusel on top.) Anyway, I found her to be humble, respectfully candid throughout the book. The way she described some things had me laughing out loud. While she did not divulge the details of the abuse she endured at the hands of her father, the reader gets a good understanding of the complexity of the feelings she has about him. Mrs. Moore has always spoken honorably and lovingly about her husband, but she has never implied that their life together has been a fairy tale. She gives some insight as to why this has not been the case. I learned that her life was not to be coveted. And the fact is, no one’s life should be coveted. Besides it being one of the ten commandments to not covet, whatever God has given us or not given us is what is best for us.
She shares of how God clearly called her to ministry. She shares of devastating losses and hurts by brothers and sisters within the body of Christ. She shares stories of deliverance, healing, forgiveness, and joy. She shares her heart. But if we are honest, this is a story of the faithfulness of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as seen through the life of Beth Moore.
If you have ever experienced Beth Moore through her video-based Bible studies, Living Proof Live events, or television, you will want to read her memoir, All My Knotted-Up Life. I believe you will be, once again, reminded that you never know what people are going through and therefore admonished to show compassion at every opportunity. I also believe you will be encouraged to persevere through extreme difficulty and to continually praise the One who makes it possible to do so.
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