Reading Serena Woods’ Grace is for Sinners is similar to what I imagine it would be like to be a priest in the confessional, listening to someone not only confess their sin, but pour out their hurt, their fear, and their frustration — all the inner secrets we so often camouflage behind the masks we wear. In telling her story, Serena turns a searchlight not only on her actions but on her heart. The result is a compelling and emotional read.

Serena tells how she first came to Christ, how she lived what appeared to be a spotless Christian life for nine years, and how she finally came undone in the aftermath of an extramarital affair which led to her being driven out of her church. Along the way, she wrestles with how to pick up the pieces of a broken life and tackles some sticky issues of church discipline, questioning how we ought to act toward a brother or sister who has fallen and making the case for grace rather than condemnation. She doesn’t offer easy answers, probably because there are none. But she does tell vividly and painfully what it was like for her.

This book tells a story about a sovereign God who is still God even in the midst of our own failures. Having experienced her own guilt and rejection by others, she reminds us that “we are not the worst thing we have done, and until we are dead, our story is incomplete.”

Keep reading and leave a comment to win a copy of Grace is for Sinners.

Q&A with Serena Woods

What does Grace mean to you?

Grace is the absolute covering of the flesh and blood part of me. Grace is so much more than what I think we understand it to be. For me grace has been Him loving me in spite of me, in spite of everything I’ve ever done. God has shown His grace to me when He favored me even with all I have done. Really, grace is hope.

Why do you think that grace is so misunderstood?

For some people in the church grace has become a novelty. It’s a word that is often overused. Not just overused but horribly misunderstood. Because it’s been overused, the power has been sucked out of it. Grace is incredibly powerful. It’s why I have legs to stand on and am not crippled by my past. We have a brand new day because of Grace.

During your experience, what did you learn about God’s grace?

Before, when I was being the best little church mouse that I could be, I thought that sin permanently damaged your relationship with God. I thought that this was especially true for people who do the “big” sins. I hate that Christians have decided that some sins are worse than others, but we have, and we tend to view sexual sins as the worst kinds. Anyway, I thought that these sins were evidence that you weren’t a Christian. I was shocked that I was still able to sin. I’ve spent a long time dealing with these issues and have had to come to terms with undoing all of the beliefs that I held before. Everything I believed about sin wasn’t true. I had to relearn everything. In that process of relearning God opened my eyes to a new understanding of the scripture. I knew what my sin said about me and I knew what I thought about me. What I needed to learn and to know is what God thought of me. He had not left me. Isaiah 54:10 says, “For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, my love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.” That’s grace. He uses the worst parts of ourselves to complete us.

What did you learn about how people extend grace?

When you sin and you hurt people, or when someone’s image is hurt by the sin of someone else, they need to separate themselves from the sin – from the person- in order to protect themselves from from the hurt or the image damage. Their reaction says, “I don’t know who you are.” They feel that they have to disassociate themselves from you. People, or the church, have a hard time answering one simple question: How do I forgive and restore you with out looking like I’m condoning what you do?

That was my experience when I confessed my sin. People in my church couldn’t believe what I had done and separated themselves from me. But, there was one person who heard my story and knew that I wasn’t a horrible person. She knew me and she knew my heart. She knew that I must be dying inside because of what I had done and she sought me out. That’s the kind of grace we need to show each other in the church.

Why was it important for you to tell this story?

Revelation 12:11 says, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” Satan, our accuser, spends day and night doing nothing but accusing people of their own sin. This verse says that the only two things powerful enough to defeat him are the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony. Satan can’t do anything about the crucifixion, but he will do whatever he can to keep our mouths shut so we can not share our testimony. But grace is the happy ending. Grace is restoration. There are few things worse than what I did, and I believe that if God can still love me and give me purpose in my failure, I can’t keep quite about that. I can give hope.

What would you say to other women in a similar situation?

There is no way for you to mess up your plan or your purpose. No matter what. We don’t learn from playing it safe, we learn when we take risks. To take those risks you need Jesus, and that dependence on Him is beautiful. For me that risk is telling my story. I feel called to try and reach the people who don’t belong in a world that doesn’t acknowledge Jesus, but aren’t welcome in a world that does. Where in the world are they to go? These people need to hear that they can have faith in his grace and believe that they have a purpose even when they feel they are unclean. I hope that by me sharing my story, and you sharing your story, we can help the church realize that God’s grace is sufficient for all of us.

The [fun]Fact Sheet

What is the one bit of parenting advice you wish you would have had before you had kids?

Just go with it! You’ll mess them up no matter what, then they’ll surpass you in every way – in spite of you, and you can still take the credit.

If you could be on any TV reality show what would it be?

I don’t watch a ton of TV, but I saw ‘The Surreal Life’ with Tammy Faye, Ron Jeremy and Vanilla Ice. I would go on that one. I’d room with Tammy Faye, befriend Ron, smoke cigars with the CHIPS guy and learn some slick dance moves from Yo! Vanilla.

In your opinion, what is the greatest modern invention?

Well, second to the Snuggie (A blanket with sleeves!) is the iPhone. Pretty soon they’ll have an app to filter my blood through. I sleep with it under my pillow, I talk to it when I’m scared and tell it all my secrets.

What living person would you most want to have coffee with?

Brennan Manning, without question. I have specific things I want to ask him. If you see him will you let him know I’m looking for him? Tell him I’ll pay.

What is your life verse?

Easy: Luke 22:31-32, “Simon, Simon. Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But, I’ve prayed for you, Simon, that your faith won’t fail and, when you come back, strengthen your brothers.

Leave a comment to win a copy of Grace is for Sinners. Winner will be announced on Saturday’s post.

You can learn more about Serena on her blog (where you can also buy the book), on Facebook, and on Twitter. You can also read all of the Grace Week guest posts here.

P.S. Serena, I am so honored to call you a friend. I love you and love your heart. Thanks for continuing to challange me, encourage me, and make me laugh. Everyone else – buy the book!