Hidden in Plain Sight by Becky Allender

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.  Psalm 145:4-6

Put this book on your reading list – you will love it!

“We don’t just have our stories. We are our stories.” Becky Allender quotes her husband Dan in the preface of her memoir Hidden In Plain Sight: One Woman’s Search for Identity, Intimacy, and Calling. Becky champions the power of story which led her to co-found the Allender Center at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology where she facilitates story workshops. I read her memoir in the fall and fell in love with the beauty of her bravery.

Becky shares 34 stories from the chapters of her life, providing glimpses into her life – as a child who learned to “hide,” a young married woman who overshadowed by her husband’s public platform, a woman pursuing her burden for victims of sex trafficking, a grandmother who cherishes her family, and others.

I treasured her journey, digesting at bite at a time. The bonus of a memoir is I can pick it back up, without having to connect the dots from one chapter to the next. I could resonate with Becky’s experiences in some way. I soaked in reminders about God’s heart to fill His children’s stories with adventure, freedom, healing, purpose, joy, comfort, and simple pleasures.

I grieved with Becky as she recounted childhood fears, moves, loss, burnout, bitterness, infertility, and rejoiced with her through supernatural rescues, lives changed for the kingdom, the beauty of redemption, moments of gratitude, unleashed gifts, honest conversations, healing from wounds, and more. The book drips with vulnerability as Becky “tells on herself” on occasion, going out on a limb to talk about the things in her heart and life.

Becky encouraged me to reflect upon my own story through the questions at the end of each chapter. She talks about Christ followers leaving a legacy through sharing their stories which impacts the next generation. Psalm 145:4-6 speaks of one generation “commending God’s works” to another. The word commend means to recommend as worthy.

The chapters of my story and your story are designed to show off the One who is worthy of praise. When we carve out time to process and put our stories down, we are sowing into the next generation wisdom, authenticity, passion for God’s plans, faith in His Word and prayer, and a love for reaching people with The Greatest Story Ever Told. Our stories fuel the torch of the Great Commission which is handed off to the next generation.

Sister, your story matters. Your story makes a difference beyond your lifetime. It is confidence in this reality which propelled me to create Sacred Story. I love giving a voice to ordinary, yet brave women who will tell of “God’s mighty acts” and pass on wisdom for the life of faith. I urge you to read Becky’s book whether individually and/or with a group and begin to process your chapters.

We are here to come alongside you in whatever that may be and to provide an avenue for your story to be shared on a greater scale. As a spoiler alert, I interviewed Becky on the Sacred Story podcast; our conversation will be published this spring. I encourage you to subscribe on Apple Podcast so you will receive a notice when episodes are published. The podcast is also available on Spotify and Google Play.

Thank you Becky Allender for your courage and for modeling what it looks like to declare God’s greatness!

~Laura

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