Odorifous: Susan Isaacs

Posted by Troy | Filed under Books, Odorifous

I grew up in a particular Christian culture where it was considered sin to be angry with God. We also had no framework for Christian living that recognized sin as a part of our lives.

“Just stop sinning!” was the underlying theme. (well, that and “culture is evil”).

I don’t know if Susan Isaacs came up the provocative title for her book Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir, but it works. At least it worked for me.

I remember seeing an ad when the book first released and thought, “I must read that book.” It took me a couple years to finally get to it, but I’m glad I did.

The perspective is unavoidably female, which might make the book seem un-relatable for some guys (not everyone is as sensitive as me), but her struggles are universal. She battles self-worth and identity; faith and doubt; relationships and honesty; and ultimately her view of God.

I especially related to Susan’s struggles to find herself in her art. She was always so compelled to fulfill her calling and find real meaning in touching the lives of those that encountered her work along the way.

(and of course she’s totally honest about her desires to be successful too – something I have a hard time with sometimes)

Even though I’d already had plans to read her book, I was especially interested in touching base with her about this interview when I saw that her acting career had landed her on some of my all-time favorite shows like Parks and Rec, Family Ties, My Name is Earl, Quantum Leap (!), Fresh Prince and movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles (the one John Hughes classic that I unfortunately had to leave out of my recent JH poster series because I ran out of time).

When I saw she was also in one of my favorite eposodes of Seinfeld (the one with Jean-Paul and George taking the reps from Texas out on the town) I flipped.

Honestly though, it has been her writing that moved me the most. She is so honest and has come so far and so many women share her struggles with heartache and frustration and loneliness and impossible expectations that I must insist every woman I know read this book.

Tell us one of your favorite odors.

I have a very strong sense of smell. I smell rotting trash, farts, fire smoke, long before anyone else does. I can also smell good things, like honeysuckle and freesia and lavender, stronger than others. I like the smell of water on cement and sun tan lotion and peaches, because they make me think of my childhood summers. Grease on train tracks makes me think of New York City. But the most evocative smell for me, is the scent of good, strong coffee in the early morning.

What is it about that particular smell?

The smell of coffee in the morning brings on a sense of hopefulness for the day. Not just because I need coffee to wake up, but because coffee is associated with all the newness and optimism of a day not yet wasted. It goes deeper, however. When I was young, I woke up every morning to the smell of coffee; and saw my mother in the living room, drinking coffee, reading Oswald Chambers, and praying. Coffee makes me think of Mom and what an impact she had on my spiritual life. She is 87 and has dementia, which is like Alzheimer’s. All that prayer and Bible reading went in deep. She can’t talk about much but she can talk about God. She has no adult editor left in her brain, but her soul is pure beauty. I credit the coffee.

What experience makes you feel alive?

Performing makes me feel alive, when I get to use the creativity God has given me. I feel alive when I’m performing the show based on my book. It’s funny and painful. I love when the audience connects. Together we come to a mature acceptance of God, and of “Life on Life’s terms.” I feel even more alive when I get to talk to people afterward and they share their own hopes and pain. That’s when you realize that doing art, you’re just getting out of the way and letting God use the art to reach other people. It becomes bigger than you or your own work. I also really love hanging out with my husband; whether it’s going on a bike rides or a road trip or reading books together at night. When I get to the end of my life, I won’t remember the accomplishments. I’ll remember the moments with him.

What fears do you have?

I’m most afraid of not doing the things God has asked me to do: whether it’s completing a book or doing a show I know he has for me to do; or loving my husband they way he’s asked me to do; or loving the people God has put in my life to love. All day long we get these little nudges in the back of our head. Just a fleeting thought that drifts over the transom of our minds. And so often we ignore them, or put them aside to do later.

I am terribly afraid of missing those important moments. My dear kitty died suddenly. She was 13 years old, and was my best buddy all those years I was alone. I didn’t have the time to tell her goodbye, to love her or let her know how much she had meant to me. Imagine if a good human friend or my husband died suddenly. I can’t miss those nudges any more.

What have you learned about yourself over the past year?

Not everyone gets my sense of humor, on or off stage. I spent many years procrastinating, but when I get myself into a commitment I can’t back out of, I can do the work very well. But I still procrastinate. I need deadlines. I am selfish to the core.

Get married and you will find out what a rat you really are. The best way to get that selfishness out of you, is to live with someone and see yourself through their eyes. Marriage is school for heaven.

I loved my cat a lot more than I realized in the day to day.

Are you working on anything cool right now?

I’m working on the proposal for Book Two: Racy Conversations with God about Singleness, Intimacy, and the Clusterfuzzle of Christian Dating. Also, I’m going on tour with the amazing Anne Jackson, to promote her new book: “Permission To Speak Freely.” It’s Post Secrets Meets the Church. Anne got people to send artwork with secrets they are afraid to talk about in church. It’s going to be a really freeing book. It’s like that adage: you’re only as sick as your secrets.

Do you find your creative work a spiritual experience? In what way?

ABSOLUTELY YES. When I am really being obedient and doing the work God has given me to do, I feel less like a creator and more like a conduit. Like I’m just a lightning rod and God is striking me with his light and energy. I’m just the messenger, not the message. Sometimes I have to get off my chair and on my knees, thanking God for letting me participate in what he is doing.

What tunes have you been hooked on lately?

The Killers – “Human;” Imogen Heap – “Hide and Seek;” The Shins, The Daylights, Christy Nockels, Robbie Seay, Gordon Lightfoot, The Beatles LOVE album. And always, anything by the late, great Mark Heard.