Boy, do I have a treat for you today! Okay, maybe the book itself is more of a treat than this review, but anyway. I can’t stop gushing about the I Can Only Imagine movie, and I can now testify that Bart Millard’s memoir is just as amazing!

When the film I Can Only Imagine came out a few months ago, my boyfriend and I immediately made plans to go see it. We both teared up multiple times while watching it, and since then I have seen the movie a total of three times. As a writer, the movie was incredibly inspiring for its message of trusting God to move mountains, and to focus on honoring Him over our worldly success from chasing our dreams. About a month ago, I saw an ad for an eBook sale for Mr. Millard’s memoir version of his story and could not pass up the opportunity to purchase it. Over the past weekend, I was finally able to read it, and it was impossible to put down.

Non-fiction is not my usual go-to genre. In fact, it usually takes me months to finish other Christian non-fiction books. However, the open conversational tone Mr. Millard kept throughout the memoir kept my interest and made the experiences all the more relatable. The experiences themselves are raw and real and will take you on an emotional roller coaster along with Mr. Millard. Aside from the physical and emotional abuse featured in the film, he also mentions his struggles when initially dating his now wife, Shannon, his oldest son’s struggle with diabetes, among numerous other ups and downs God has helped him face.

The way Mr. Millard explains how God moved mountains for MercyMe was my favorite aspect, especially when he recalled that the band received criticism from labels early on, telling the band that their songs wouldn’t work in the CCM industry. As a Christian author who has received criticism for certain aspects of my writing, this serves as a beacon of hope. Mr. Millard emphasizes that God can use who He sees fit however He sees fit in their own unique way, and for that, his memoir will have a lasting impact on me.

Mr. Millard’s memoir is well worth reading, as it points to God in the midst of abuse, fear, loneliness, pride, abandonment, anger, grief… basically every emotion and wherever you’re at in life. I highly recommend it and thank him for telling his story.

Rating

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

Have you had a chance to see I Can Only Imagine yet? What did you think of it?

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀