God Doesn't Make Mistakes: Confessions of a Transgender Christian

I first learned of the book God Doesn't Make Mistakes: Confessions of a Transgender Christian a little over a year ago, ordered a copy, and waited the few days needed for it to be delivered. Now, understand that I work nights, and last year at this time I was working 12-hour days -- when the book arrived, I stayed awake long enough to read the first half, stopping only when I fell asleep. The following night I repeated the process -- finishing the book (as well as rereading the chapter I fell asleep during) and felt so incredibly encouraged.You see, I am also a trans gender Christian, and although Laurie Scott and I have different stories, there are many parallels throughout our separate journeys. Carefully woven to tell her story and to show how throughout she wanted to serve God, the book follows her path from youth to adulthood, and finally to the place where the hidden girl had to break free. (I so understand this.) But, complicating things for Laurie, one church after another made it impossible for her to continue to serve and worship with her fellow believers.Her struggle over roughly 25 years has been something I've experienced in a condensed form in the time I've been transitioning, and her words of experience both taught lessons and gave me tools for the future. I am currently in a church were I have been welcomed by the pastor and many of the congregates, but he is retiring very soon and my future at the church I've attended for almost 30 years is now in question -- and so the stories shared and the lessons learned by Laurie are now a roadmap for me to potentially follow.You don't have to be transgender to read this book. I have given copies to my children, siblings, friends, and recommended it to many more -- my pastor and his staff have each read the book, and it helped them to understand better the struggles I face and the challenges of just being able to openly worship God in a Bible-believing church that preaches the Gospel.I highly recommend this book, and suggest that you get a second copy to loan (or in my case, about 20 copies thus far to give away and to loan).

I just finished Laurie’s book and it was everything I needed it to be. I am not trans, I do not to my knowledge have any family members that are trans or even close friends that are trans. But as a teacher, I have former students that are trans and my children go to school with many transgender students and I have witnessed from afar the incredible life affirming changes they have gone through after coming out as transgender. Laurie did an amazing job of putting Jesus’ love in perspective for trans people, Christians, and even non-Christians. The pic above shows many of the pages I marked to go back to and highlight for future pondering and to share with others.My teenagers get very frustrated with and do not understand the prejudice and prejudicial comments about transgender people they hear even coming from people in their own home. I, myself, have voiced, not prejudice, but many questions and comments like, “these kids and teens are just confused. There are so many confusing hormones and feelings during adolescence that nobody ‘knows who they are.’” My concern was that confused teens would take life altering hormones or have life altering surgery and in 10-15 years realize they were wrong about who they thought they were. But after hearing my kids talk about the positive changes in their peers, reading testimonies and stories from parents of trans teens saying how their child is now happy and at peace for the first time in his or her life, I have started to better understand. Stories like Laurie’s are invaluable to help others begin to understand what being transgender is all about. I tell my students and children, that this is new and confusing for previous generations to try and understand. This is the newest evolution of society that their generation will grow up with and advocate for. When my grandparents were their age, it was women’s rights, when it was my parents, it was integration and civil rights. I grew up in the 80s and 90s when gay people were starting to come out and wanting to be accepted in the mainstream. To my children and I, those social issues seem like a no brainer, that of course all of these people should be accepted and treated equally. I explain that understanding transgender people is new to our generation and we just need them (my kids) to be patient with adults and try to understand that all people fear and reject what they don’t understand. As society progresses, they too will find something different to understand some day in the future.But the bottom line is that in every social issue and societal evolution, it is because of the brave souls and pioneers like Laurie who bravely and patiently tell their stories, that others begin to understand and not to fear what they don’t understand about those different than themselves. As Laurie so brilliantly realized, not to try and shove or force progress and change in others’ faces, but by living as Jesus did, living a life of loving and caring for others with humility, that’s how mainstream society (and hopefully Christians!) will be accepting of those that are different from themselves as equals. Each of us is just another soul doing our best to navigate this journey we call life.Laurie, God chose well when he said, “you will do.”Your Sister in Christ,Jenny

I love this book! It made me cry! It made me angry! And it made me belly laugh over and over again! What an amazing story!!!First and foremost...this book IS NOT an agenda driven attempt to force Christians into a politically correct position on Transgender-ism. It isn't an attack on the Church. It isn't a sly moving of the goal post on morality. It's simply the true story of someone who IS a Christian who has endured a life of confusion, torment, rejection and isolation. It's also a unique opportunity for us to better understand something that is otherwise impossible to comprehend. It's a loving invitation for us to closely examine our perspectives and assumptions about people who are transgender. We simply can't understand the heart and mind of another until we've walked a mile in their shoes. That's what this book is; a mile in someone else's shoes."But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" (Romans 9:20)We don't understand what it means to be transgender. Not even the people who ARE transgender understand how they came to be that way. They only know it's how they were born. And God doesn't make mistakes!It's time we stop getting in the way of those reaching for the hem of His garment. People are suffering! And all too often it's Christians who make it worse.Read God Doesn't Make Mistakes. You'll be glad you did!

What an incredible strength and faith in God it took to tell this story! Laurie shares her vulnerability in this book and that can be very difficult to do. I would have given 5 stars, but there were instances when Laurie uses present and past tense within the same paragraph. Overall, the content was fantastic! A truly inspirational person of faith! I am hopeful hearts in my church and family will begin to change.

This is very true to life, and l thank God for giving Laurie the courage to write it, and tell her life story. I pray that readers will be educated by reading it.

This was a hard book to read. Several times I had to stop because I was crying too much to continue.Laurie's story is so full of the pain of rejection that it is a wonder she ever manager to recover.Why is it that so many church people feel they know better than God who can be a disciple?This book is about God's love overcoming the lack of love of His followers.I would recommend it to any believer who wants to follow Jesus' example.

Wow!! I just finished reading the bookLaurie is such a good storyteller, the way she has woven her story with all of the tensions. I also enjoyed her sarcasm and humour which gave some light relief. The crescendos build to the highlights, turning-points, strategic and God events, with lessons learned. Then, there are the pits, dire pits when she describes the personal pain she suffered that was inflicted by so many others.She describes how some people she expected to trust and befriend her, actually let her down and cast her out. Laurie’s description of the tension before one particular "lunch" was so exciting I could barely wait for the climax - it was a suspenseful encounter with a dear friend.Even though I don’t understand Laurie’s personal situation, she brought me into her life through this book so that I experienced those highs and lows and shed many tears along the journey. Hers is a life of perseverance and deep faith in God.Laurie is a brave lady to share so much of her personal story with us. I am sure her life will touch many people and encourage many people who are also trying to deal with issues of gender, identity, relationships, faith and church.

Very heartfelt story. Great book for anyone struggling with their relationship with the church, whether they are transgender or not! It is not preachy, or judgemental. It is just a very personal story and journey and the emotion shines through. Very touching!

A heartfelt testimony of God's unconditional love. Laurie has shared her story for others to benefit. This is not just a book - it is her calling.