Just As I Am

by Eugenia Price

In these chaotic times, when many people who claim to be Christian are searching for “relevance” in the secular to justify their worldly aspirations, much of the Christian heritage is being ignored or discarded. But Miss Price turns time back for a moment and in these early Victorian lyrics she finds surprisingly sound, contemporary meaning that stands boldly above the ideas of today’s so-called radical thinkers. Each line of this long-favored song responds to Miss Price’s interpretation with stirring impact―whether it be in strong yet soft tones that comfort the hearts of the lonely, the troubled, and the suffering or in stunning crescendo to rouse the inattentive and careless. Through Miss Price’s weaving of the lyrics into her book, Just As I Am , the familiar music of the song accompanies the reader from page to page. Then she syncopates the theme, illuminating it for a fresh appraisal in the light of today’s burning issues. She does this by applying the song’s ethically and psychologically sound thesis both to her own life and to the lives of persons in tragically real confrontations with “fightings and fears within, without.” Each example shines like a beacon to guide the faltering to a Christian understanding and a peace unfulfilled by a secular situation ethic. How should a Christian view the war? What course to consolations for the widow and parents of a young man killed in Vietnam? What choice for the guilt-ridden man who loves his wife, his children and his mistress? Is there a “correct” way to approach God? The answers are not found in protests, trips to the psychiatrist, divorce or even death. Miss Price seeks and finds answers in the deep abiding love and faith that “has broken every barrier down.” Just As I Am will be acclaimed Eugenia Price’s finest contribution to the search for a meaningful Christian life.

Genres: Christianity

Paperback

About the author

Eugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.

In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.

Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.

Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.

Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.

Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eugenia Price passionately writes and comments on the lyrics of the classic song, Just as I Am. It's not the best written or deepest theological matierial you can find, but if you love the song and you're searching for even deeper meaning in the song it's a solid book to read. The biggest takeaway is that God is Almighty and Loving and Powerful and will accomplish his mission of peace and salvation with or without our help or acceptance. Consequently, we need not seek to please him through deed or word or clean ourselves up before entering His service; our job is to Come, just as we are.

[Lea McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Just As I Am by Eugenia Price, the author uses the words of the popular hymn to clarify to the reader that God loves us and accepts us as we are. All he asks is that we seek him constantly. Ms. Price is well aware that human nature makes us incapable of believing and trusting all to God, but she suggests actions that can help us turn to God instead of trying to control the world ourselves, always to our detriment. An inspiring book!