Adorning the Dark
Memoir Recommendations-Part 4
Fellow readers!
Today we conclude a month-long meander through memoirs and while I originally planned to recommend another two titles today, I have decided to focus on one instead. I’ll share why in a coming post in which I talk about lessons gleaned after fourteen months of writing on Substack.
Stay tuned for that, but for today, let me introduce you to Andrew Peterson’s Adorning the Dark.
Adorning the Dark ~ Andrew Peterson
“I want you, dear reader, to remember that one holy way of mending the world is to sing, to write, to paint, to weave new worlds. Because the seed of your feeble-yet-faithful work fell to the ground, died, and rose again, what Christ has done through you will call forth praise from lonesome travelers long after your name is forgotten. They will know someone lived and loved here.” Andrew Peterson, Adorning the Dark
Oh, friends, this book.
A dear sister in Christ presented me with this treasure on my last birthday, and it took me almost seven months to finish it. Not because I didn’t like it, but rather because I loved it. I started the first chapter and after the first few pages, grabbed a pencil and a notebook and slowed my pace. This was a book for contemplating and notetaking. For savoring.
Most will be familiar with Andrew Peterson as he is a singer/songwriter/musician and also the author of The Wingfeather Saga, an award-winning fantasy series. People may be less knowledgeable about some of his other projects including God of the Garden, a memoir-like title written during the pandemic, and The Rabbit Room, a collective he founded that “fosters Christ-centered community and spiritual formation through music, story, and art.”
But suffice it to say, Andrew Peterson is an artist.
Adorning the Dark is a memoir and exploration on what it means to be an artist who is also a Christian—one who desires to adorn the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. As a writer, I delighted in this book and gleaned much, plus its relatability was profound.
But lest you think, I’m not a painter or writer or songwriter—this book isn’t for me—let me just say, if you are a follower of Jesus, I believe it is.
First, I think most will find the memoir aspect of this book interesting and engaging. Peterson speaks transparently and thoughtfully about his journey as a musician and writer. With gentle and candid humor, he not only talks about the joys and struggles of his own story, but the path of creatives in general.
Topics include pressing into calling, insecurities about one’s work, the temptation toward artistic indulgence, and the importance of community and discipline, to name a few.
Additionally, his prose is lovely. It’s a soulful read.
But secondly, because Scripture teaches that God is the Creator and simultaneously teaches that man is made in His image, we can conclude that all are imbued with God-imaged creativity.
I believe we co-create with God daily.
One need not call themselves an artist to engage in the world creatively. Perhaps one is a teacher and inspires thinking and soul formation through the creation of their lessons. My own children have reaped richly from such teachers—thank you educators!
Or perhaps one’s brand of creativity is making a beautiful home and feeding a family delicious, nourishing meals all while fostering an environment of love and acceptance—thank you homemakers!
Won’t such dear ones also leave a legacy? Will not an insightful examination of the souls they influenced speak to the mark of their creative investment? I say they will. We will look at them and say with Andrew Peterson, “someone lived and loved here.”
Through chapters such as “Selectivity” and “Discernment” and “Serving the Work”, Peterson brings insights for artists, but also for anyone who is called to adorn the dark.
For example, take this quote from the chapter on selectivity: “Selectivity means choosing what not to say. It means aiming at the bull’s-eye. It means making sure the song is about one specific thing so that when folks are driving home from the show, they can say, ‘Remember the one he wrote for his son?’”
As a writer, I’m learning the importance of this lesson and growing in it, but parenting also comes to mind. How often I have waxed on (not so poetically) when a simple word, creatively chosen would have sufficed—and been more effective.
Or another quote from the chapter on discernment: “While it’s important to cultivate discernment, to work as hard as possible to do excellent work, to try really hard to make your song not bad, it’s just as important—perhaps more so, in the beginning—to make something, even if it’s not great. Don’t let your inner critic keep you from writing.”
Amen and amen. I’m working diligently to grow as a writer and learn my craft—yet I daily fall short, too. A balanced perspective is key.
But these words apply to so much more than writing, don’t they? Strive—yes—but lean into grace when you miss the mark and, for heaven’s sake, keep at it. That is useful advice for every human endeavor.
In conclusion, let me point you to words from Peterson’s preface:
“This is part of my calling—to make known the heart of God. And because he holds a special place in his heart for me and me alone (just as he holds a special place for you), my story stands a chance to be edifying to my sisters and brothers, just as your story, your insight, your revelation of God’s heart, is something the rest of us need. In that spirit, this book is a glimpse into my own faltering journey as a songwriter, storyteller, and Christian. It’s a love song, if you will, about the life God has given me.”
Truly, such a gem of a book, friends. I hope you will consider reading Andrew Peterson’s love song.
And at that, we have reached the end of May and five weeks of memoir posts! If you’ve read through one, two or all the recommendations and haven’t yet picked up a title, may I humbly suggest choosing one to enjoy through the summer months? If you do, please let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts when you finish.
Lastly, a request: I love book recommendations, too! Send me your favorite memoirs or other favorite reads as you come upon them. As this post proves, there is much joy in a new book bestowed by a friend!
Until next time, blessings in books!
Tiffany
The God of the Garden has been on my TBR, I'll add this one too! I stepped into the reading life as an adult a few years ago and have been so richly blessed by it. The first two books in James Herriot's series of memoirs have been a ball. "All Creatures Great and Small" and "All Things Wise and Wonderful."
I bought this book recently! This post has just moved it up to read sooner rather than later...