While reading Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer, I really got caught up in his story about his journey following God's call. I found myself drawing parallels to my own life and experiences and wondering to myself what was next for me. I've come to realize though, that Palmer's life, while being an excellent example of how to deal with God's calling, isn't for everyone. I would argue that in fact Palmer would not want most people to travel his same road. The book does not proclaim a way to live life, but rather, small ways that one can push ahead into life from the point on the journey where you are.
             The idea for this book is based on one man's life and how he has dealt in the past and present with issues that everyone faces. Palmer portrays faith not as a bright and cheery place at the top of a mountain, but a full representation of who we are. Palmer really challenges the reader to step out in faith into that person that we were really created to be and rely on a Creator that knows what He's doing. Palmer begins the book with a chapter entitled listening to life. He uses an unusual literary device to tell his story. He begins with the lesson he ultimately learned in the end that drove him to write the book. Instead of telling a story and revealing an Aesop moral at the end, Palmer tells the story from the perspective of being all the wiser and points out his mistakes and problems as he goes. Telling the story this way gives the author a sense of humility in the beginning of his story and a strong sense of credibility throughout. The remaining chapters are entitled as follows: Now I become myself, When way closes, All the way down, Leading from within, There is a season. Just by reading the titles of the chapters one can really see both the actual life of Palmer and also how he grew throughout the time. Stepping out to become one's self, followed by disappointment and hardsh...