Real: The Surprising Secret to Deeper Relationships

Every woman longs for authentic friendships with others—but in a world of carefully-curated social media, most of us are merely keeping up appearances. Both online and offline, we're all prone to only presenting the best side of ourselves.

This book shows us that the secret to growing the relationships we crave is in developing a biblical habit of repentance. By being honest about our sin before God and receiving his forgiveness, we're freed be honest about our sin with others. When we drop the act and allow ourselves to be vulnerable by sharing our struggles, not only are we strengthened in our fight against sin, but we experience authentic fellowship and real friendship.

Catherine Parks empowers women to fight side by side against their sin, and shows how by getting real about our struggles, we can create genuine community in an "I'm fine" culture.

This book is great for reading with your book group, women's group, accountability partner, or one-to-one mentor—discussion questions are included for every chapter.

View an excerpt here.

Contents

Introduction
1. Finsta and rinsta
2. The way we were
3. True to yourself?
4. The joy of repentance
5. Your roots are showing
6. Dealing with sirens
7. True authenticity
Epilogue: a land without repentance

Endorsements

We’re all looking for relationships that go beyond the surface and delve into the heart—we want to be known and know others. However, often we hide who we truly are, in fear and shame, concerned that our lives aren’t as picture perfect as our friend’s social media story. In Real, Catherine Parks writes with warmth and insight, inviting us out of the shadows of our sin and into the mercy of Jesus.

--- Melissa Kruger, TGC blogger and author of In All Things: A Nine-Week Devotional Bible Study on Unshakeable Joy