Author: Virginia Smith

Publisher: Kregel

ISBN: 0-8254-3693-1

Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Fiction

Mayla Strong has purple hair, a nose stud and a labret stud below her lower lip, definitely not the kind of convert the Salliesburg Independent Christian church was used to. Mayla didn’t intend to make any changes in her life. She only came to church to get her Mama to stop hassling her. But Pastor Paul was a hard man to ignore and at the end of the sermon her feet started toward the front of the church, taking the rest of her along.

While the rest of the congregation sat in a state of shock, Mama practically jogged down the aisle to prepare her wayward lamb for baptism. Even Mama wasn’t prepared for Mayla’s tiger stripped blouse that would show through the wet baptism robe, or the hot pink “hooker” panties her daughter wore. She hadn’t raised her baby to dress like that.

Mayla knew she’d been changed that day, but she wouldn’t give up her purple hair and her face jewelry, not even to please Mama. She really wanted to live for God, but she wasn’t sure how to go about it. She didn’t know how to pray, or how to tell others about what had happened in her life, so she just plunged in and did the best she could.  In the process, she made a lot of mistakes; like the children’s church lesson she taught that scared the little darlings so much their parents wanted her barred from teaching forever.

Pastor Paul kept trying to find a place where Mayla could serve, but somehow she just couldn’t fit in. Not only did her fellow church members have a hard time accepting this refugee from the wild side, her friends weren’t happy with the new Mayla either.

Just As I Am is a funny, touching, and serious story of one young woman’s attempt to live an obedient life. Mayla’s struggles reminded me of my own spiritual failures and of the blessed assurance that God truly loves me just as I am. It will make a delightful addition to your Need to Read list.