Sarah Zacharias Davis Answers The Faithful Fifteen
March 2006
 Sarah Zacharias Davis, the daughter of bestselling author Ravi Zacharias, has written her first book, CONFESSIONS FROM AN HONEST WIFE: On the Mess, Mystery & Miracle of Marriage. In this interview Davis explains how she gathered her research and discusses the impact of faith on personal relationships. She also shares some of her inspirations and stresses the importance of being "real" with ourselves and with one another.
Writing
FaithfulReader.com: Could you give a brief summary of your latest book?
Sarah Zacharias Davis: CONFESSIONS FROM AN HONEST WIFE is a candid book about the things you think about, question and learn about yourself, faith, and life as a woman through your marriage. I interviewed 20 women and told their stories in a very personal and firsthand style. Reading almost like a diary, it tells with honesty and authenticity the things these women know and don't know, where they've been, where they are, and where they want to go.
FR: What role does faith have in the book? What inspired you to write it?
SZD: Faith is woven into each story of the book as each woman --- in her struggles, questions and even triumphs --- discovers more about her faith and the way she as an individual relates to God. As she learns about herself in the context of a relationship, she comes to see things in her relationship with God she never saw before.
I was inspired to write the book because of the way my own faith changed in the time I have been married. I have discovered so much about myself, and my relationship with God has changed so dramatically. At the same time, I never shared those things when I was going through the process --- only afterwards. I wanted to create a forum for women to be real with each other and to help each other both grow and be validated where they are in their journey. I wanted them to know that we --- as women --- share many things in common, and to know they are not alone.
FR: What do you feel your calling is as a writer?
SZD: I feel that my calling is to write my experiences and the experiences of others with real honesty and integrity.
FR: Who are your favorite authors and mentors? How have they influenced your work?
SZD: I was inspired by something deep within myself, as if I was compelled to write to this end. However, authors like Anne Lamott and Joan Anderson gave me the courage to pursue writing with such honesty. I enjoy fiction books by Anita Shreve; I just find her work very beautiful. Also, two books by Larry Crabb --- SHATTERED DREAMS and THE PRESSURE'S OFF --- were very instrumental in leading me to a different and more authentic place of faith in my life.
FR: Do you have any favorite stories of encounters with readers?
SZD: As I am hearing from women about the book, it is so affirming to hear women of all ages and experiences resonate with the stories told in CONFESSIONS FROM AN HONEST WIFE. One story in particular is about a woman whom I actually interviewed for the book when I was writing it about a year and a half ago. She told me that doing this interview was a turning point for her in her own marriage. I never gave her any advice in the interview; I only listened and nodded sometimes in agreement and understanding. Knowing that she wasn't the only one who thought the things she thought made her realize she was normal, which enabled her to move forward.
Spirituality
FR: Tell us about your personal faith journey.
SZD: I was raised in a Christian home and became a Christian when I was four years old through my mother. During high school, I really made my faith personal and it became my own --- not only my parent's faith. These last several years, my faith has radically changed. I really went back to the basics and started looking at why I was doing everything: why did I go to church, how did I live my faith, and how did I truly relate to God. I discovered so much about myself and my faith, though it was painful at times. I still would characterize my faith as hard for me. Not hard to believe --- I believe absolutely. But I think deeply, often wrestling with really knowing God and what that means, and how I live that.
FR: Who are your spiritual mentors?
SZD: I have some friends in my life who have walked with me through the journey I've been on and have shown me so much. And both my parents are most wonderful spiritual examples to me.
FR: What is your current church community involvement?
SZD: I attend Christ Church in Atlanta. I started going there recently after moving to Atlanta out of the suburbs, and before that I attended Northpoint Community in Alpharetta, GA.
FR: What are your Scripture reading habits? Prayer habits?
SZD: I have my devotions daily but I do different things during that time. I am currently working through a wonderful book called SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES HANDBOOK by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun. I highly recommend it.
FR: If you had one message for Christians today, what would it be?
SZD: We need to be real with each other, not self-righteous and judgmental. Christ died for all of us, which means we all needed to be saved and weren't perfect. I believe if we were real with each other and ourselves, we could grow in our own individual faiths by learning from each other amidst our messiness, our mystery and the miraculous, too.
Life
FR: Tell us about your family. Spouse? Kids?
SZD: I have been married for seven years to an attorney. We met in college and were married a year after graduating. I am also very close to my family. My sister and brother are some of my closest friends!
FR: Do you and your family have any special traditions?
SZD: We all get together for Christmas and pack my parents' house with a whole bunch of us. It's noisy and chaotic, but I love it and think that's what Christmas should be. I make a big deal about birthdays and other holidays --- I think it's important to celebrate special things in life.
FR: What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities?
SZD: I love to travel, I love to meet new people and experience new cultures and places. It makes me feel more alive. I love to read and watch movies. I also love to eat and cook. A favorite night for me would be cooking together with friends and then spending the rest of the evening sitting around the table having great conversation.
FR: What are your media habits? Television? Movies? Music? Etc?
SZD: I enjoy almost any type of music. I especially like music with exceptionally written lyrics. It just depends what I'm in the mood for. I enjoy going to the movies, but I don't watch too many movies at home. And I have to say I just love movies with a love story! I watch a little TV, too.
FR: What excites you about life?
SZD: I love experiencing new places and I love things that invigorate the senses: beautiful sunsets, great smelling food, hot, sticky weather, thunderstorms... It makes me feel more connected to God and that I am living with the wonder I was created for.
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CONFESSIONS FROM AN HONEST WIFE: On the Mess, Mystery & Miracle of Marriage