H. Matthew Francis
Freedom To Flourish.
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…” and others like it are templates that hurt us all. It is often used as an excuse to give up on a child.
Matthew comes from generational violence and mental illness, and he believed it would be his fate as well. He spent many years on disability for mental illness, poor and isolated, he didn’t challenge these beliefs until a cancer diagnosis would make him question his long held views about himself.
After years of struggling with the realities of gender confusion, he drew strength from his connection with Jesus to acceptance of who he is - a beloved child of God.
Eventually he would find the courage within to stand up and become his true self. A struggle would end one night when he believed God affirmed him and his true gender. He then transitioned from female to male and this pivotal decision changed more than just his gender. Owning his truth, he found a new freedom in life.
This is a poignant story of hope, resilience and courage: the solid belief all lives are of infinite value whether anyone around a person is able to recognize this or not. It hurts us all to discount any human being. Read on it is a powerful story of forgiveness and love.
My Resurrected Spirit: Triumph Over Tragedy & Transgender Identity
By H. Matthew Francis
What people are saying about "My Resurrected Spirit..."
“This is such a well written personal story, a real one, of a life transformed. Matthew Francis shares his journey with deep and sharp honesty and integrity, in a way that inspires and shows us how we can never, ever know how a life will unfold, even when a person is subjected to incomprhensible trauma at the hands of people who should be most trusted. His trauma aside, though, this is also a story of resilience, of a man who became himself, fully. Make no mistake: trauma has nothing to do with the genesis of gender identity. People who face trauma in life may be forced to set aside true selfhood just to survive. Matthew shows us how, once away from the onslaught of trauma, he was able to access himself and be who was always intended to be. This is a must read for anyone trying to understand the meaning of gender identity at a personal level, but also for anyone at all who aims to become fully human.”
“A very moving and positive memoir of a person who overcame insurmountable odds to be a survivor. As accurately stated on the cover, it’s a tale of “a journey of endurance, healing and forgiveness.” It’s honest, uplifting and so well written, and it resonates with very important messages, one of the strongest is that it hurts us all to discount any human being.”
“I met the author & was so easy to read as I knew some of the background. This young man is to be commended in sharing his very difficult life and how he dealt with rejection. He keeps the positives as he ages & changes his life around. Enjoyed the read.”
“I noticed a delightful guy during a performance at the Falmouth Theater in Maine. He was energetic, attractive. He was enjoying being in the audience with his friends. I sat behind him and he added so much to the fun of the evening. Later I learned this was Matthew Francis. And he has a book available on Amazon. I ordered it on Kindle and am so glad I did. He tells of growing up in Maine under very difficult circumstances. He was unloved. Matthew had to reach very deep within himself to just survive. Eventually people came into his life and encouraged him. Faith in God also sustained him. He slowly found his way. Today he is a very happy man. Matthew Francis is the kind of guest one would invite to that fantasy dinner.”
“This was an incredible and powerful story of survival, gender transition, and bravery. Everyone should be assigned this book as essential life reading! Thank you, Matthew, for sharing your story with the world.
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“Compelling and inspiring. A journey of faith as well as of transition. Matthew’ writes well.”
“Uplifting, heartbreaking and transformational.
It is rare to witness someone sharing their story in such a raw, cracked-open and beautiful way. Matthew’s story is heartbreaking, uplifting, fascinating and vivid. His resilience and determination to finding such a pure faith in a higher power is surely inspiring to so many of us who have been through dark places and barely made it out. Clearly Matthew has a spirit that is unique to pull him out from the depths of a traumatic childhood and to be led to a place where he is now sharing his light and love with the world. I highly recommend this book. Matthew has wisdom and a perspective on life that is hard to find and that will help you transform your own.”