Dim Sum and Faith
In Dim Sum and Faith, Jenn Suen Chen shares how our stories form our souls. Chen describes her book in a variety of ways. She says it’s a book about showing up honestly in our stories, an invitation to join her in telling our stories of God, and a book about spiritual formation. I found it to be a thought-provoking read that felt like having a counselor and friend by your side to help you learn about your life and faith.
Distinctly Asian American Stories
Throughout the book, Chen shares her own experiences of feeling like an outsider, living in between cultures, facing legalism at church, and being an Asian American woman. The book is distinctly Asian American — it is filled with cultural food analogies, Chinese terminology, and quotes from Asian American leaders.
In part one of the book, Chen shares how our stories specifically shape our identities. She encourages us to be honest with God, including feelings of shame and unhealthy self-reliance.
In part two, she tackles the difficult subjects that undo us, such as the need to hold it all together and insecurities. I was most interested to learn that each crisis, no matter how big or small, contains an invitation from God. It’s an invitation to trust Him, and also an invitation to examine our hearts. She calls this having a “compassionate curiosity,” and I found this to be a helpful way to consider how God and Scripture examines and searches our hearts. This is how God walks with us in grief and how he is a companion when we carry pain and sorrow.
Taste and See that the Lord is Good
I was most convicted reading part three,how the practice of slowing down can awaken us in our lives. Chen emphasizes the word practice because that’s what is required. By purposely slowing down and taking intentional rests, we can fight the idols of busyness and self-importance. We are also able to cultivate a posture of listening to God and others.
Chen closes the book in part four with a call to be remade — inviting us to be known and loved by God. This comes from bringing your full self, including your cultural background and family upbringing, to a Heavenly Father who draws near to his children. As the church, and as brothers and sisters in Christ — we are called to do this in community. Creating space, showing empathy, choosing compassion, being patient, and expressing gratitude are ways we can show up with one another.
Reading this as an Asian American brought a sense of familiarity and camaraderie, but also challenged me to open more of myself to God and others. For those outside of Asian culture, it is an invitation to hear the life-shaping stories from a sister in Christ. Dim Sum and Faith invites you to tell your stories, share your soul, and taste and see that the Lord is good.
This review was edited and published by the team at SOLA Network. I received a media copy of Dim Sum and Faith and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.