Loved as I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom Through Jesus

This is a book that shows you the merciful heart of Jesus. The great love, the life, the blood and water that flow from the heart of Jesus, as a fountain of mercy for us.A book that shows the truth ‘love is stronger than death, than any of the sins in the world.’A book that proclaims the Gospel - Good news - with Sr Miriam’s own story and journey, and the insights of TOB, the truth of God and the human person.Thank you Jesus for the gift of Sr. Miriam to the Church.

I feel that this book is more for goup use then individual. There are some good thoughts and helps in it but would work best, to me, with group conversation.

I first heard of Sr. Miriam James Heidland when I saw on a brochure that she would be talking to young people at a National Meeting of the Institute on Religious Life (IRC). Sister also has writing ability but what makes this book on the healing of deeply wounded, broken people powerful is that Sr. Miriam isn't afraid to witness to the fact that she was once one of these people. As the back of the book states:"In 'Loved as I Am', Heidland shares her struggles - learning she was adopted, battling alcoholism, and healing from childhood sexual abuse"Inside the book Sister Miriam James writes:"[W]hen we have wounds of abandonment and rejection, the Evil One uses them as a conduit to whisper the lies that no one loves us and no one will be there for us or care for us. When these wounds go unhealed, our lives become dysfunctional." (P. 66)As a younger woman, Sister Miriam James' unhealed wounds led her to "an endless stream of parties and men" but this, far from satisfying her, left her "empty and broken." (p. ix)Sister witnesses to the power of her mother's prayer as having a key role in the transformation of her life:"[C]ompletely unbeknownst to me, as I was in college eight hundred miles away living in addiction and open mortal sin, my mother prayed steadfastly that I would become a nun. And here I am today. My mother and I have been on a long journey of healing. We have had many conversations and moments of reconciliation. We have shared many tears and laughter. I believe in the power of prayer, especially from the heart of a mother." (P. 95)Among the various methods of healing Sister has tried over the years, she mentions "the sacraments, spiritual direction, twelve-step groups, various types of counseling, books and workbooks, and inner healing prayer as well." (P.66)She adds: "Much of this healing has centered on the healing of identity, of who I really am as a daughter of the Father." (P.66)This book is not long at a little more than a hundred pages but Sister does not waste her words. She packs a lot into the chapters and has written a book that can really bring hope to those who think it is too late for them to heal, that their wounds are just too deep, or that God doesn't want to heal them. As Sister writes:"When these wounds are healed, we can live the abundant life to which Jesus invites us." (see Jn. 10:10)

Sr. Miriam does a beautiful job highlighting the joys of surrendering to Jesus. Her life is a powerful testimony to God’s unfailing desire to seek and save the lost which we all are. Thank you, Sister. You’re doing special work in the vineyard.

I ordered this when I followed Sr Miriam's videos for Lent on UTube. No I didnt order Restore as sold out. the title of this book captured my attention. The title sums up what I need. The book isn't big but I took my time. It is hard not to just race through it. It isn't the amount of words but how transforming it can be if read prayerfully. So I did that. I'd prayerfully and slowly read one (and only 1) chapter when at Adoration each Wednesday. Now I only have 1 chapter to go. I hate to see the book end but know I will reread it. She is so honest yet warm, so up front on how the Lord touched her. Hope she writes more.

Sister Miriam James is a wonderful speaker and equally as wonderful writer. She uses her own life experiences to help us see how God works his love into our lives.

Who can NOT love Sr. Miriam James? I fought and fought having to listen to anything about her, or any of her speeches as people kept saying our stories were SO similar. No, thanks! Why would I want to listen to that?! But I heard one YouTube talk just to get my spiritual director and various other professionals off my back and I couldn't stop watching them. So, I finally gave in and got the book, then bought it for others, who may have nothing in common with her. But who cares! It's an incredible book! I lost my faith, and she made it reappear. I didn't think I was loved by anyone human, or Divine, and she changed that. If this could go into the hands of anyone suffering, particularly from trauma from abuse, depression, or severe loneliness and despair- how different and happier our world would be. What a gift Sr. Miriam is...and boy, I sure wish I found her before over a decade of therapy, I could have saved so much money and spent that on going to see her speaking engagements! :)Seriously, if you know anyone suffering, from anything- give them this. It's a cure for so many broken hearts. Mine, I don't know there was ever a time it wasn't broken, but its like she personally picked up the pieces and helped solved the puzzle. I am forever indebted to a nun I refused to listen to.

This little book is amazing ,inspiring and captivating . I received the book in the mail today around 5 . Excitedly I opened it and thought I will just read the intro and maybe first page or two before dinner . Yeah right , well I finished it by 8 o'clock and supper is late . LOL . Sister Mariam is a powerful speaker . I truly in my heart of hearts feel that God has inspired her and she is doing his will .I came across her YouTube videos while looking for answers I my own struggles with life then discovered she had written this book .Her story is familiar in many respects to my own and many others . Folks it's a short book ,wont take long to read but worth more than the time it takes . Just get it read it and I pray you find the True Love your heart is longing for .Holy Mother Pray for us Sinners now and at the Hour of our Death

I chose this book for a book club I was running over the summer. The feedback has been terrific. It's an easy read with many personal stories of Sr. Miriam's personal journey. There were women with no faith formation who loved the book and women with deep formation who found it very helpful as well. It meets a person where they are at - there are personal reflection questions at the end of each chapter, an invitation to go deeper for people who want to do so. With over 60 women reading this book, it's amazing one book can speak to so many hearts in all different places. Thanks Sr. Miriam for your honest, heart-felt truth and HOPE that Jesus does meet us where we are at and can heal any wounded heart.

Thank you Sr. Miriam for writing this book. I believe God led me to your book for very important reasons. Your story is so similar to mine in many ways and if it’s one thing I know about God, He is not the least bit subtle when He wants to get my attention!The only criticism I could possibly add is that I wanted to read more! But you did say it was a small taste for a reason. I hope to read more of your work in the future. God bless you Sister!

Each chapter provides stories illustrating the chapter title and ending with an applicable prayer and questions to lead us to our personal understanding of the chapter topic. I read this book in one afternoon and will revisit it many times. This is a my guide down life’s journey to my ‘conversion, healing and freedom through Jesus’. Amen

To read this book was for me the coninuation of the healing process started in the Heal the whole person retreat this year. We can deepen with this book the personal experience of healing and intimacy with Jesus. We want more peace more freedom more healing. Thank you sister for guiding us

A Catholic perspective on healing! . Sister has such a gift in presenting topics concisely, practically, and prayerfully. Her story is so touching and real. Finding God in those deep hurts and working through them. God bless you Sister. Thank you for this wonderful book. Thanks to my friend for the recommendation.