The Sacred Journey: A Memoir of Early Days

written by Frederick Buechner

This is the first of three autobiographical works by Frederick Buechner. (Although I think he would argue that there's a bit of autobiography in each of his books, even the novels.) It's a very compelling story, this candid retelling of how he came to faith. He strings together bits of childhood memories and recollections of his early adulthood, and in the process points to how many of the events of his life - both the overtly significant ones and the seemingly mundane ones - guided him along a path (without his knowing it) that culminated in his realization of God's active and loving presence in his life.

Particularly powerful, I think (and this is a spoiler, so be warned!) are Buechner's ponderings about his father's suicide. If you have been affected yourself by the suicide of someone close to you, I think you might find his perspective interesting - maybe even healing.

Unlike some of his other stuff, this book is easy and quick to read. You'll find yourself doing a lot of your own self-reflection as you read his impressions and thoughts about God and life. You will see yourself in this book. But you won't feel preached at or proselytized. In fact, if you're like me you'll probably find it extraordinarily refreshing that Buechner doesn't purport to have all the answers to life's hardest spiritual questions; nor does he persuade you to join up with any particular line of thinking, or make you feel less-than-worthy if you disagree with him.