Memphis residents Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy live by what they call the Popcorn Theory. Their theory of helping people is: “You can’t help everyone. But you can try to help the hot ones who pop right in front of your face.” That means to be aware of those around you and pursue helping those who respond to your outreach.[p.2]

This co-autobiography is from the inspiring couple featured in the book THE BLIND SIDE by Michael Lewis and the subsequent 2008 feature motion picture of the same name. Writing IN A HEARTBEAT after the movie’s national distribution, the Tuohys decided to speak out more extensively of the background and motivations going into their famous story of adopting Michael Oher who is now a pro football player.

They were closely involved in production of both the book and the movie. But, they simply wanted to tell more of their faith perspective to give context to the earlier book and feature movie.

Sean Touhy’s classmate from college days, author Michael Lewis became a reporter for The New York Times. In THE BLIND SIDE he wrote the Tuohys’ story of their adopting Michael Oher. Now as a follow-up Leigh Anne and Sean are presenting even more of their motivations and family background in the book entitled:IN A HEARTBEAT: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving.

Some readers might think of this as a football story but that is only the setting for a deeper message. The reader walks alongside Michael Oher being brought into a loving family; we see him from ages 15 to 23.

Some might enjoy this read for its being laced with humor. And, truly in many ways this family functions in ways overlaid with laugh-out-loud instances of humor. For example, they relate how the building of their new home was an exercise in “marital negotiations.”

But, for serious Christians, IN A HEARTBEAT is a well-documented presentation on grateful, cheerful giving.All of this is infused with presenting the biblical principles of tithing from gratitude. The Tuohys are very involved members of Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis. They outline how their life’s perspective is one of giving. They seek to give of their time, of their talents, and of their financial resources. The story of Michael Oher was not the first time that they had befriended needy young people. Both Leigh Anne and Sean extensively volunteer at the local Briarcrest Christian School where their two children, Collins and S.J., attend. And, they have anonymously provided scholarships and other assistance to those in need.

Sean and his brother-in-law had developed RGT Management which grew into 80 fast food franchises of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC.And, Leigh Anne and her mother have an interior design firm. The reader is presented with the Tuohys’ philosophy of giving from a cheerful perspective. The couple writes about how their growing wealth presented them with a moral dilemma. They then walk through discussions on giving from a cheerful perspective. How are we to be thankful stewards of our time, of our talents, and of our finances? This book really focuses on how they (and we) engage in lives of thankfulness as stewards of what God allows us to have. As gratitude for what Christ has done, how are we to live?

IN A HEARTBEAT is structured in such a way that each family member writes a chapter giving their own perspective. Sean and Leigh Anne provide most of the chapters. But, these are interspersed with brief chapters called Interludes authored by their son S.J., daughter Collins, son Michael Oher, actress Sandra Bullock, and actor Tim McGraw.

One story gives insights on making the movie.Each of the principle actors came to Memphis to spend a day with the character that they were to portray. Actress Sandra Bullock told of when she first spent a day with Leigh Anne whom she was to portray: “Wow, I’ve finally met someone who practices [her beliefs] but doesn’t preach. So I now have a faith in those who say they represent a faith. I’ve finally met people who walk the walk and it’s made me happy…like you need to step up your own game” as a response.[p.98]

The overarching theme of IN A HEARTBEAT comes out as Leigh Anne and Sean walk the reader through how they came to their philosophy of life’s purpose: “it’s what we feel in our hearts when we grasp the depths of God’s generosity to us.”[p.108] This becomes a walk through the Scriptures. Throughout the Old Testament God presents the model of the tithe for His people. Then we see references to Malachi,Mark 12:41-44, Luke 12:48, and Acts 14:17.They also present a discussion of how to give effectively without engaging in handouts that simply enable further sinful behavior.[p.111-112]

The reader is also presented with insights on family dynamics and how to rear children in the Christian walk. They said, “We were under no illusions: children are inherently selfish organisms and they have to see beyond their own small dramas and urgencies.”[p.128]Well, the Tuohys seem to have a good grasp on the entire human condition!Also, “we were reminded that giving didn’t always have to be tangible. It was just as important to give passion, time, faith, encouragement, or exposure to something new. Sometimes these ways of giving mean much more than money ever could.”[p.133-134].

The Tuohys were closely involved in creating both THE BLIND SIDE the book and the movie. But, they point out that for the sake of dramatic effect the movie takes a few minor departures from accuracy. For those who have seen the movie, they mention several minor items. They first met Michael because he was already enrolled on scholarship at the Christian school and was in Collins’ class. The family encountered Michael along the road on a cold morning—not on a cold, rainy night as portrayed. Leigh Anne points out that she does not wear her skirts as short as shown in the movie. And, Michael did understand the basics of football from having already encountered the game at school. Also, the Tuohy family had already had many foster kids staying with them from time to time.With Michael they decided to pursue the relationship to make it permanent.[p.164ff]

This book presents one (albeit rich and well known) family’s pilgrimage. They openly relate their family life and their walk of spiritual growth. They outline the moral pitfalls encountered along the way, and the resulting joyful benefits. They become a community of faith; “the five of us know where our hearts are.”[p173]“Would we do this again? In a heartbeat!”

Leigh Anne and Sean put it this way. “Whatever we do next, we believe God will be in charge of the entire project. Looking back, we believe that Michael became a part of our family because we stayed open to the opportunities God put before us. He had plans for Michael’s life, and we just happened to be the facilitators of the plan. We like to think of ourselves as merely the vessels He used to accomplish His purpose.”[p.254]

For anyone who has seen THE BLIND SIDE the movie, IN A HEARTBEAT gives fullness, depth, and insights into their pilgrimage.Reading this book gives each reader inspiration and guidance for one’s own pilgrimage. And, we each might wish to consider the popcorn theory as we witness to those around us.

~review by Dan F. Bloem

IN A HEARTBEAT: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy is published by Henry Holt and Company, copyright 2010. A copy may be found in the Trinity church library.