Finding the Rhythm
What happens when a child who felt unwanted and unseen discovers that the Creator of the universe has been quietly holding him close all along?
A raw, honest look
at navigating profound personal loss and the testing grounds of faith
The transformative power
of repentance, forgiveness, and the healing presence of the Holy Spirit.
Comforting insights
into the father-heart of God for those who feel emotionally orphaned or overlooked.
In Finding the Rhythm, Chris Barratt shares a deeply personal and moving account of his life’s journey. Using the beautiful metaphor of dance, he invites readers onto the floor of his life, tracing his steps from an awkward childhood and the loneliness of running away, through the heartbreak of marriage breakdown and single parenthood, to a life dedicated to serving others as a community pastor. This is not just a story of a man learning to dance perfectly; it is a testament to a God who never stopped inviting him back. If you need reminding that no life is beyond God’s reach and that His love can transform our deepest wounds, this memoir will speak directly to your soul.
The book includes a Companion Guide to assist deeper personal reflection on Finding the Rhythm which may also be helpful for church home-group discussion
Readers will love to read how the Lord was the ever present help and how He helps those in difficulty when we open our eyes to see Him
Rev Dr Iain Duthie
Senior Pastor, King’s Church, Aberdeen and Scottish Leader of AOGGB
This is not simply a memoir but a story to enjoy and also apply lessons learned , to enable us to find “rhythms of God’s grace in our life.
Pastor Jim Smith
New Life Church, Prestwick
The whole “learning the rhythm” theme summed up his journey and is a good reminder that God doesn’t expect us to get every step right, He just keeps inviting us to follow Him
Sara-Leigh Cain
Youth and Community Worker
A powerful and deeply inspiring account of faith, resilience and redemption and a beautiful reminder that no life is beyond God’s reach and that love, grace and forgiveness can transform even our deepest wounds.
Chris Walker
DL, Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire
Even if you’re not Christian, the personal and insightful reflections and analogy with rhythm and dance make this a lovely sing-song and easy to read memoir. You can’t help reflecting on similarities and contrasts within your own life.
Joe McGhee
Retired nurse, Care Inspectorate manager and senior university lecturer
About the Author
Chris Barratt is a retired inspector from Scotland’s Care Inspectorate, and since 2012 has been Pastor of Gatehouse Community Church in South West Scotland. He is married to Alison and is a father, step-father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Chris is passionate about helping others discover God’s grace and faithfulness in the ordinary journeys of life.
The title of his memoir was inspired by Eugene Peterson’s rendering of Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message and especially, “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Those words captured for Chris something of what God has patiently taught him over the years. The Christian life is not ultimately about religious performance, striving to earn God’s approval, or trying desperately to get all the steps right. It is about learning to walk with Jesus, trusting His leading and gradually discovering the freedom that comes from living in relationship with Him. The subtitle, From escape to grace and ministry, reflects the woundedness and insecurity that shaped much of Chris’ early life. Yet it also points to the surprising truth that God’s grace is often revealed most clearly through our weaknesses rather than our strengths. Chris’ story is not about personal achievement but is much more about God’s faithfulness
From escape to grace and ministry
Available on Kindle for £5.99 from Amazon and coming soon in paperback and hardback
All profits from the sale of this book will go to Gatehouse Community Church