- Home
- biography & autobiography
- religion
- Life After Why
Life After Why
Finding My Footing and Purpose in a Life Disrupter
Foreword by John Ortberg
Imprint: Resource Publications
This book is about overcoming obstacles. When a life disrupter strikes, it's common to search for reasons and formulas to obtain control of the uncontrollable. The author is convinced that a satisfying life lies on the other side of asking why, a life at the intersection of sorrow and joy beyond the need to control outcomes. A recent cancer recurrence propelled Sheri Blackmon into surgical failures, setbacks, and a search for a way forward. Her disrupter evoked dormant childhood trauma that obscured and complicated the process of moving toward acceptance. This memoir is not only a cancer story but also a story of a girl torn between two continents as a missionary child whose mother is a Holocaust survivor. It explores universal themes of loss, abuse, control, dislocation, being an outsider, and finding one's voice. It offers an honest Christian reflection on discovering one's footing and purpose within a framework of five discernible steps toward acceptance. While presented in five steps, acceptance of what is lost is not a linear process with a beginning and an end, but a lifelong engagement of the heart.
Sheri Entz Blackmon has BAs in religious studies and English literature from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and an MDiv in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She was an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served in church ministry for fifteen years before moving to Oaks Christian School, where she served as founding department chair, Bible teacher, and chaplain, and is now an English instructor.
“Some books are worth reading because of the gripping drama of the author’s life. Some because of the healing wisdom they offer. Some are worth reading because they point us to God. This is the rare book that does all three.”
—John Ortberg, author of The Life You’ve Always Wanted
“Sheri Blackmon is a deep soul who has experienced harrowing suffering. She has developed profound insight into the role of pain in our lives, overcoming obstacles, and, ultimately, living out our dreams. In this well-written and thoughtful book, she shares wisdom about how to flourish amid the difficulties of life.”
—Bradley Wright, University of Connecticut
“Sheri is an improver. She is brave, unashamed, and honest. In her debut book, Life After Why, she shares the importance of disrupting the myth that joy is only found in a pain-free life. Lean in and learn from my wise, honest friend. This book will bring you hope. Hope that heals.”
—Shelene Bryan, Founder, Skip1.org
“Sheri dignifies our suffering by validating our pain. Empathizing with our losses, she elevates our struggles with magnificent writing that resonates with the soul and assures us that we are not alone. This book transcends typical platitudes and offers a transparent and authentic search for truth by supplanting the seeming unfairness of disruptors with credible hope offered by our good and mysterious God.”
—Roger Kemp, President, RK Media
Related Titles
