Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson

Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul Reviews

• 
  Laura

  Do you know that feeling you get when you finally get a diagnosis for something that's been bothering you? When you finally can put a name to the symptoms, can finally see that so many of your most persistent problems have one common cause? I didn't expect this book to diagnose me, but it has. I'm so grateful that Hannah Anderson has done the hard and slow work of growing in wisdom while I get to just gather and enjoy the fruits of her labors through this book.
  
  The book begins with Hannah Anderson’s own honest question: How can I be unhappy and constantly stressed with a very normal life?
  
  As she opened scripture in search of God’s rest, Anderson began to recognize that rest must come from Christ-like humility. Pride gives us a false and inflated estimation of our own importance in the world that leads to stress, self-consciousness and a frantic schedule. Humility reminds us to pause and ponder: “What do I have that I have not received?” (1 Cor. 4:7). This humility is not a kind of accessory we add on to our list of other nice attributes. No, Anderson is talking about the kind of humility that comes from recognizing that you are a creature, little more than “articulated earth” (to borrow a phrase from Malcolm Guite’s poetry).
  
  Or as Anderson describes it: “Suddenly we see where we fit in the narrative: facedown in the dust. We are not called to embody Jesus ourselves; He has already been incarnated and is still even now! No, we are not called to be Jesus; we are called to fall at His feet and worship Him…and it is through this worship, through recognizing His rightful place, that we are finally humbled.”
  
  Once we realize “that we have nothing that we have not received” suddenly we are freed to be grateful for the particular talents God has granted us and even to acknowledge the unique dreams God has placed in our hearts. Our gratitude is rooted not in having more than others, but in “having anything at all.”
  
  I thought I knew most of what there was to know about humility and pride, but I was surprised in each chapter to discover a new way that the weeds of pride can manifest themselves and choke out joy and thankfulness. By the end of the book, I was marveling in the gift of humility—how it opens me up to the possibility that I might not know everything so that I can be more concerned with learning the answers than having the answers. It freed me to be grateful for what I possess, even the very particular and secret dreams of my own heart, because suddenly I saw them as resources and gifts given to me to “ ‘seed’ the world with other healing plants.”
  
  If Anderson’s first book
  Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God's Image was about helping readers find their identity, this book continues the conversation by helping readers understand that “everything (in their lives) is a gift and everything has purpose.” I knew from her first book that Hannah Anderson was a thoughtful reader of scripture, of poetry, and of the world, but even I was surprised by the beauty of her writing. Her imagination is deeply rooted in scripture, and this gives her eyes to see the symbolic potential in everything around her, from store-bought tomatoes to wild blackberries (which she uses to illustrate how we can “forage for the sweetness that God has promised”). Anderson plucks illustrations from her rural Appalachian life and uses them to convey just how powerful it can be to rediscover our own humble roots. Each chapter could stand alone as an elegant essay that weaves keen observations of rural life with the wisdom of scripture.
  
  For some reason, and this could just be my own biases showing through, I was surprised to find nary a mention of sabbath. To my way of thinking, sabbath is a crucial element to acknowledging and living within our creaturely limits. It reminds us that we can not and ought not to depend solely on our own efforts. I guess she did address this in talking about sleep and death, but it seemed like a missing piece of the puzzle for me.
  
  It’s a pity this book might get shelved under some heading like “Women’s Spirituality” because there isn’t a page in this book that doesn’t apply as much to men as it does to women. I hope her work transcends any such labels and finds the readership it deserves.
  
• 
  Sarah Mackintosh

  More like 2.5 stars. I like what the author had to say, even strongly agreed with her on a lot of points. I did not love this book. There were far too many quotations and references to other works. I also felt like the theme of plants was stretched at times, and I wondered if I was reading a gardening book and how it related to what spiritual item the chapter was addressing (and what that spiritual item even was).
  
  Rambling sums it up.
• 
  Melanie Duke

  When I finished this book, I took a deep breath & let out an audible “ahhhh”. SO GOOD
  
  Convicting, refreshing, and dare I say it… humbling ;)
  
  And I love the way Hannah Anderson tells stories - I wish she’d write a novel or a biography
• 
  Debbie

  "Humble Roots" explored how we can find rest for our souls through a humble heart--through acknowledging our dependence on God. The basic idea is that God is God and we're not. She looked at a number of ways we might try to be god and not realize it. Our culture teaches and even glorifies some things that are counter to the understanding that we're not God. She also looked at how humility can be shown in how you care for your body and emotions, treat knowledge, resources, and desires, respond to the brokenness of this world, and face suffering and death.
  
  The author focused on the Bible for answers and provided insights into the verses and our culture. She used gardening analogies to help illustrate certain points. I never felt condemned (like any good Christian ought to have this down), just "Arg, she's right! How have I been missing that?" I have felt more rested and less worried after reading this book. I'd highly recommend this book to any Christian.
  
  I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
  
• 
  Lindsey Goetz

  A beautiful, hopeful, deeply important book. I'll admit, I was hesitant to read this book for fear of finding out just how prideful I am. Hannah Anderson's words help us to see the pride in our lives, how that pride makes us anxious, and how death to self and life in Christ produce the fruit of humility in our lives. This book is so good precisely because she doesn't try to teach us to be humble, but instead points us to Jesus, who humbled himself unto death. The Holy Spirit used this book to comfort me, to convict me, to pull me out of apathy and indifference, and to give meaning to a very difficult season. Highly recommend.
• 
  Scott

  Very good book on humility. As a gardener I personally loved the agricultural references throughout. I also enjoyed the folksy charm of small town life that ripples below the surface all the while addressing the heart issues of pride that infect my soul. I suspect I’ll re-read this one again in the future.
• 
  Lindsay

  A look at the beautiful trait of humility & how learning Christ's gentle and humble spirit can be the solution for our struggles with fear, identity, and more. I found a few little nuggets sprinkled throughout, but struggled with all the gardening analogies that I didn't feel tied in all that well, but it may just be because I am not a gardener. Ideal for the garden/plant lover who wants to grow in humility. ;)
• 
  Jillian Vincent

  The most life altering book I’ve read this year. Recommend to all. Wisdom upon wisdom upon wisdom. I love her metaphors, whimsical, real, and sometimes heartbreaking. This will hit you to the core. Quoted some of my recent favorites, including Brene Brown and Wendell Berry.
• 
  Christine Hoover

  Fabulous book. Convicting, helpful, and beautifully written.
• 
  Kristin Kowalk

  3.5* I liked this book enough to buy it so I could mark especially helpful passages. But some structural quirks and illustration choices made me give it a lower rating.
• 
  Susy C. Lamb *MotherLambReads*

  I have been wanting to read all of Hannah's books for the longest time now. Hannah was my hall leader in college. I'm just amazed by her writing. Such deep thoughts and allegory yet down to earth example. She used alot of gardening and horticultural terms which I think people with more knowledge of botany woud appreciate.
  This book's topic on humility and resting in Christ. She mentions and describes other books on this which are also on my to read list. At the end, she draws quite a parallel to The Secret Garden and the works of the Holy Spirit in his "garden." A book I'm currently reading. Book serendipity. :)
  
  "Humility teaches us to find rest in confession. Rest from the need to hide, the need to be perfect. We rest by saying, both to God and others, 'I am not enough. I need help.'"
• 
  Rachel {bibliopals}

  Such a great book to read during spring/summer!
  I finished the audiobook and was about to start a new book, but just started this one right back again.
  Will be looking for a hard copy to keep for sure!
  
• 
  Emily

  This book was timely for me, in a season of anxiety. I identify with her opening description of stress and life and blessedness.
• 
  Meg

  UPDATE: Reread for book club this month and love this book even more. Wonderful illustrations using plant analogies along with personal anecdotes (they really do stick in your mind). And a truly comprehensive and biblical perspective on humility. Should reread yearly.
  
  Recently, I acquired an advanced copy of this book and I am so thankful God allowed me to be chosen for this. I had no idea of the depth and wisdom and insight that I would glean from reading Humble Roots. It is a book on humility, yes, but more than that. Hannah points out that our journey in humility begins in realizing who we are (as creatures - not creators - made in the image of God, but fallen) and where we’ve come from (quite simply, from dirt). And our pride, that is so overwhelmingly present (whether we realize it or not), is almost always the cause of our “stress,” “anxiety,” and “busyness.” I'd never quite thought of pride being involved in my stress that way.
  
  Uniquely, she uses a different form of plant or fruit in each chapter - with details involving the cultivating or procuring - to connect these points together. Her knowledge of living off of the land and understanding of humanity in general is quite stunning - my poor little brand-new copy is looking quite marked-up and dog-eared. Hannah is also very well-read, in both areas of great works of literature and in deep works of theology. And this knowledge is woven throughout her work in such a skillful yet simple and understandable way. Michelle B. Radford adds to the beauty of Hannah's analogies with some exquisite illustrations, one for each chapter (and plant).
  
  I am a follower of Jesus Christ - and so I believe that He knew I needed to read this book - most obviously as a means to draw me back to His Word (the Bible). But also to show me areas of pride and self-reliance that I hadn’t even noticed before. I strongly and unequivocally recommend this book to everyone that can get it. You will not have wasted your time.
  
  NOTE: I received an advanced copy in exchanged for an honest review. The above statements are my own, true thoughts.
• 
  Alexiana Fry

  For everyone who is weary of working and doing good things, but thinking it lies all upon their perfectionist shoulders. For everyone who is told if they just believe in God and have more faith than all things are possible and then, that thing doesn't happen. For everyone.
  
  "Pride tells us that all we have to do is organize well enough, plan effectively enough, and work hard enough and we can achieve our dreams. Humility teaches us that it was never up to us in the first place. The same God who gives us our desires is the God who orchestrates how, and whether, those desires come to pass. And the hard truth is that may not... but here again, humility offers rest. If we are submitted to God's hand, even our unfulfilled desires can be fruitful because our unfulfilled desires can be the very things God uses to draw us to Himself. When we've spent our lives and emotion and time and money pursuing what we believe will make us happy only to never reach it, we quickly learn where - better still, who - is the source of our ultimate joy. When we are denied the very things our hearts long for, we learn to long for the one thing that will never be denied us, God Himself. 'It is good to be tired and wearied by the vain search after the true good,' Blaise Pascal, the seventeenth-century philosopher-theologian assures us, 'that we may stretch our arms out to the Redeemer." So when hope deferred makes our hearts sick, we learn to run to the Great Physician for healing." - Hannah Anderson
  
  So entirely thankful for someone who clearly states that yes, we are imago Dei, but yes, we are also finite people who need to find their footing and foundation in the One who is infinite. That, firstly, means humbling oneself.
• 
  Michael.n.liz

  Interesting and insightful. These two words came to mind frequently as I read Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. The anecdotes and illustrations taken from nature captured and kept my attention throughout the book. I repeatedly muttered to myself, "Oh, that’s interesting" or "I didn’t know that." The book’s ‘interest factor’ itself justifies the time taken to read the book. But the book’s primary value lies, of course, in its relentless analysis of how pride infiltrates daily life. The book is not a simple call to be humble. Nor is it a theoretical treatment of humility. Hannah explores the relationship between pride and the malaise of modern life : stress, anxiety, failed relationships, manipulative relationships, indifference, etc. Even more importantly, the book shows how Jesus teaches us to embrace our humble roots and the peace that only he can offer.
  
  I found reading Humble Roots akin to sipping a good coffee in a French café : the bitter boldness awakened me to my pride while the rich complexity drew me to the very end. Those seeking rest for their souls should read this book. Humble Roots won’t make you humble. In fact, it may leave you feeling quite proud ; that is, knowing how proud you are. The pain of self-discovery, however, is worth it for those who will learn from Jesus the key to true soul rest.
  
• 
  Jennifer

  I have mixed feelings about this one. Hannah Anderson's main point was well developed and well taken: humility is not a certain list of actions but is all about perspective - knowing who God is and who we are as humans. She takes this idea and explores it in many areas of life in a very helpful and thought-provoking way. She writes nicely, using allegory and metaphor to make her points sticky and interesting to read. It is nice to see a Christian publishing company put up a smart book written by a woman. So often books by Christian women authors are lacking in depth, fluffy, and even silly at times, which may not be due to the women authors but to what the publishing companies think women want to read. The main and major flaw of this book is Hannah's extreme overuse of anaphora. It got very irritating and distracting over time and completely did not have the effect she might have hoped for. A little anaphora here and there can be powerful, but when used in almost every paragraph it becomes insipid and even bothersome.
• 
  Kelley

  I am tempted to simply say, "Read this book," and be done. And that's because I also feel myself tempted to gush - and the ideas and truths here deserve better than that.
  
  Anderson had me at "feeling heavy laden" on the opening page - but I didn't anticipate how convicting and rich the remedy would prove. This is not the first time I have seen pride hiding in the foundations of my heart. But the sheer reach of its damage was shocking. The repeated, faithful calls to see myself as I am - and God as He is - offered hope and a glimpse of the peace He means for us.
  
  The literal illustrations (my daughter is coloring them!) and the ones Anderson draws with her words are simple and lovely. They draw you into the spiritual truths and leave their impression behind, a picture to keep a truth before me next time I slice a tomato or dip into a jar of local honey.
  
  Read this book.
• 
  Cbarrett

  Hannah's Humble Roots shows the beauty of humility and the restful peace that follows. Humility is a matter of identity: knowing who God is and who you are. Hannah clearly understands the human tendency to look for security and worth in a variety of outlets, yet the heart will only know peace when there is trust and rest in God.
  The book was encouraging, challenging, and thought-provoking. Knowing Nathan and Hannah from seminary years ago, the book took on a credible character as well. It is no easy task to write about humility. They were humble then, reflecting a kind Christ-likeness, and it is a blessing to learn even more from Hannah now. The agricultural illustrations throughout the book were also informative. The final two chapters (Thorns and Thistles, and A Secret Garden) are outstanding.
• 
  Katrina Van Grouw

  4.5 stars. This was a book powerful in its simplicity. Anderson uses personal anecdotes about her life in the countryside and her relation to the natural plant life that surrounds her. There is so much allusion to nature throughout the Bible since God is the ultimate Creator, and the book is just beautiful. Reading this was a balm to the soul, and that's exactly what humility is meant to give us; A trust in God over ourselves, and the understanding that we don't know everything, and aren't mean to understand! There is great rest is leaving our lives up to God while also having a deep interest in living to His glory. I will definitely have to purchase this book for myself so I can highlight large portions of it and refer back to it. Humility is not about thinking low of ourselves, but about thinking highly about God and putting Him first in our lives. His glory through us.
  I would 10/10 recommend this book and will be adding it to my core library.
• 
  Shauna

  In recent years, I have experienced disappointment from faith based books. They tend to be too preachy-dragging a person down when their intent is to lift up, too fluffy-mostly personal with little Biblical basis except for random verses thrown in that make no connection, or too self help-which I think defeats the purpose of a faith based book since our help comes from the Lord. This book was a very good balance between gentle reminder to view life through the Biblical lens and personal stories that wove around the points being made. Mrs. Anderson doesn't condemn her readers, but inspires them to remember that being human is a gift and it is important what we do with it.
• 
  Emma Hinkle

  This was a beautiful book that highlighted the need for humility in the life of a Christian. I was challenged in numerous ways that my emphasis on self-sufficiency, efficiency, and organization is a paltry way of me trying to control my world when in reality God is the one who brings the harvest. Most of the analogies were rooted in nature to help more deeply expand the ideas.
• 
  Gabie Peacock

  3.5 Stars!
  I enjoyed this book, but I struggled with the format and continuity. It felt a little all over the place with the topics of discussion and stories intertwining. For that reason, it failed to grab my undivided attention! However, I took a lot of good from it. I was convicted and edified throughout the chapters. The author made wonderful connections with humility and plant life.
  I would love to have a discussion with others who have read this book about her section on "privilege." I tried to keep an open mind while going through that section, but I think that I may just be hyper sensitive and possibly misunderstand her takes.
• 
  Erica

  The synopsis of this book is "You're not God." She likens humility and the christian life to plants and gardening. Sometimes the gardening aspect got a like long winded and scientific, but overall a good book and definitely had some step on toes moments.
• 
  Aria Greendyk

  4.5, rtc!
• 
  Angie Pace

  Fantastic! I listened to the book on audio and have since ordered a physical copy I would like to mark up. Andersen is a lovely writer uncovering hidden truth with interesting storytelling and powerful passages of Scripture. I never knew pride was actually at the root of so many common, everyday issues. This book really hit home with me.
• 
  Aberdeen

  I want this book to be the water I draw from, the dirt my roots sink into. Or more specifically, I want the message of this book—humility brings rest—and the person it continually points to—Jesus—to be the sun and rain and soil of my soul. This book is gentle but honest, deep but practical, with musings rooted in horticultural facts and anecdotes.
  
  I wouldn't at all consider myself “into gardening,” but her stories and research about wildlife fascinated me and tied in seamlessly to the spiritual issues she was discussing. It never felt like it was a far stretch to connect, say, honey with how we view our bodies, or tomatoes with the danger of relying on human reason alone. I never would have thought to use plants and produce to reveal truths about the human soul but it works so perfectly. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise; after all, God does say he reveals himself in nature.
  
  Often Christian nonfiction books feel a little too repetitive or wordy, even ones I love dearly, but this one is pretty short, just over 200 pages, and it never says a word more than it needs to. I really did come away feeling refreshed, my eyes opened and my heart wanting to be closer to Jesus. Several chapters gave me insights into specific problems or decisions I'm facing right now. This is a book I'm going to reread often.
  
  Tomatoes, it seems, were never meant to be rushed––on the vine or in the stew pot. So, too, humility teaches us to wait. To wait for the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. To wait for those we love to come to understanding. To wait for answers that, in God's own wisdom, may never come. But humility also teaches us that we don't need to know everything as long as we know the one who does know.
• 
  Danielle

  I first was introduced to Hannah's writing when I read "Made For More: An Invitation to Live in God's Image." At their core, both books are actually about finding our identity in Christ. The first books is more about our personhood, this second is about humility, as the title indicates.
  
  Hannah turns to nature as both an illustration and a metaphor to uncover what it means to live humble. She reminds us that "Jesus comes to bring us freedom and rest. But this rest is contingent on something. We must come to Him. We must take His yoke. We must learn of Him."
  
  Hannah explains that Jesus' humility will fundamentally change us. He is not a model for us to live out good behavior in our own strength. He is the very source of our life. Living humble will have an impact in our lives only in so far as we allow Christ to work in our lives. Only then can we experience the real freedom and change that humility brings: freedom from self-condemnation, from having to know it all and instead be willing to learn, and freedom from emotionally manipulating others by letting the Holy Spirit do his work.
  
  The subtitle states that humility "nourishes the soul" and I think Hannah's book does just that. It is rich, thought-provoking, and filled with grace. I love that Hannah doesn't give us one more thing "to do." Instead, she reminds us of what we can become in Christ. It really is about identity. Instead of giving us an extra burden of needing to "put on humility" she offers the freedom to let Christ work in us.
• 
  Tori Samar

  I really hate that I'm giving this book only 3 stars. Hannah Anderson is a great communicator with some wonderful things to teach about the Christian life. She is a breath of fresh air to me, especially in the Christian women's book market. Unfortunately, something went wrong with the execution of this book. It's a bit of a mess.
  
  But first, some positives. Humble Roots has plenty of saving grace to keep it from dropping below 3 stars. The ideas of the book—all revolving around cultivating humility in our lives so that we can enjoy the rest Jesus promises for our souls (Matt. 11:28-30)—are solid overall and presented with the same keen makes-me-want-to-highlight-big-chunks-of-the-book insight that I encountered in Anderson's first book, Made for More. I will revisit many of the ideas in this book for my own spiritual benefit.
  
  Unfortunately, this book's structure gets in the way of its ideas far too often. As a result, the book is sorely lacking in coherence. The main culprit here is the extensive gardening illustrations in each chapter: They really interfere with the train of thought. Anytime a gardening illustration showed up, I often found myself confused and/or forgetful about the specific point about humility Anderson was trying to drive home. I also think Anderson allowed herself to get too locked into her chosen gardening analogies for each chapter and forced some of her main ideas to fit in.
  
  A good book that could be a great book with some stronger editing.