That you took the time to spell out the resonance in our two stories means a lot to me. Thank you.

Another aspect of how this book took the veil off, was with my 2 Christian raised sons, who became prodigals around high school/college, because they saw the hypocrisy in the church. I had to learn the hard way, that continuing to share God and make them attend church (out of fear they wouldn’t be saved) only pushed them further away, like your brother. (However, I was not legalistic or pushy)
As a caring parent, I believe we do this out of love and wanting them to have a relationship with Jesus. Your book made me see this so clearly and all I need to do is love them, always offer grace and leave the rest to God.
(I actually had God put the words Grace across my forehead, as if imprinted there and heard that word over and over again…in an unrelated situation. and ever since then it keeps coming up! Your book expressed it so effortlessly.
The most important takeaway, was your message of grace and how you live it!
Talk about ‘amazing’ grace! You’ve got it. Its so beautiful and God-like, especially with what you’ve experienced. Ironically, our church is in a series currently on legalism vs Gods grace and your book ties in.
I now pray everyday that God would work through me to offer the same grace for people that you do to your Mother, Marshall and the rest of the world!
Thank you, thank you for this rich gift!

I’ll make sure my brother receives this note from you. Thank you for it.

I’ve just finished listening to your narration of “Where the Light Fell” and I can’t begin to tell you just how helpful it has been for me. I married into a family with a history and conditions astoundingly similar to the home you were brought up in. Listening to your unfailing devotion to your mother and your brother was so enlightening to me. I’ve heard similar stories from my wife about her childhood, and have watched her offer that same love and grace to her older brother, who incredibly has been on the same track that your older brother has taken. Her father, who was in the ministry, has since passed away due to suicide, which brings about a tragic, complicated journey that we’ve been on for the majority of our marriage. Your words have helped me understand why I must give space for her to continue her ministry to her brother.

At about halfway through your book, I looked your brother up on LinkedIn, and wrote him directly. I doubt he sees those things, but I wanted him to know that he is loved by me, and that his story matters to me. I’m sure he’s getting a lot of that now with your memoir going public, which is great! But if not, would you tell him for me? I love, admire, and appreciate the Philip and Marshall Yancey’s of the world.

I look forward to continuing my journey through your writings, now with the background of your story to give me additional context. I love you, brother.

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Thank you for walking the path, I see your prints and I’ll keep going in the same direction.

What a beautiful “grace note” you have sent me, Rachel. I’ve waited years–no, decades–to tell my story, and the affirmation I’m getting from you and others eases my anxiety immeasurably.

I just finished “Where the Light Fell,” and was truly astounded to learn your full story after reading so many of your books. I came away feeling both honored and humbled by your invitation into the deep wounds of your life. I will have to re-read your books now with this new lens of what you suffered to attain your wisdom. Thank you for writing this memoir and allowing us to glean a harvest of grace from your deep grief. I am reminded of a line from “A River Runs Through it”: “All good things come by grace, and grace comes by art, and art does not come easy.” Thank you for wrestling with what does not come easy.