Warm and witty blessings found within the struggles of our shared humanity, from the New York Times bestselling authors of Good Enough Blessed are you, the strange duck. You with the very intense hobbies. Or the collection of movies or mugs or sneakers. You with the hometown or home team that makes you very, very proud. You, my dear, in all your intricacies . . . are a marvel. We live in a world that demands relentless perfection. Happy marriages and easy friendships. Bucket list–level adventures and matching family photos. But what if our actual lives don’t feel very #blessed? Might our everyday existence be worthy of a blessing too? Even an average Tuesday? Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie offer creative, faith-based blessings that center gratitude and hope while acknowledging our real, messy lives. Formatted like a prayer book, The Lives We Actually Have is an oasis and a landing spot for weary souls, with blessings that focus on the full range of human moments: garbage days, lovely days, grief-stricken days, and even (especially) completely ordinary days. These heartfelt blessings are a chance to exhale when we feel everything from careworn to restless, devastated to bored. Let’s have a reminder that we don’t need to wait for perfect lives when we can bless the lives we actually have.
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The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days
By: Kate Bowler
ISBN-10: 0593193709
ISBN-13 : 978-0593193709
Publisher : Convergent Books (February 14, 2023)
Language : English
Hardcover: 256 pages
Reading Age : None
Dimensions : 7.16 x 0.85 x 9.3 inches
Item Weight : 1.18 pounds
$22.19 $17.75
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Lisa notes… –
It’s in the regularly imperfect days of our lives that we most need to receive blessings. So we ask God for blessings. We say blessings over each other., If you need words for these blessings, you’ll find 100 beautiful blessings in this book. Each blessing is short, heartfelt, and sometimes funny, too., The blessings are divided into 10 categories., Bless this ordinary life, Bless this tired life, Bless this lovely life, Bless this grief-stricken life, Bless this overwhelming life, Bless this painful life, Bless this garbage life, Bless the lives of others, Bless this beautiful, limited life, And then a special category of readings for Lent and Advent:, Bless this holy life, There’s something here for everyone for every kind of day., “Draw me closer to a different vision, one that sees that I don’t need perfection— I need love. Free me from the expectation that life should always be better.”, My thanks to NetGalley + Convergent Books for the review copy of this book.
Kate Betene –
In her characteristic humor and utter honesty, Kate Bowler brings us a book of blessings for all of the ups and downs of real life. With wisdom and grace and a constant heart pointing us toward God, these blessings will be ones I turn to and share with friends regularly. I love John O’Donohue’s “To Bless the Space Between Us” but am so happy to add this collection for all of those other moments, like for collective grief, for the gift of doubt, for finding grace for others (and yourself), and for this garbage day. This book is a treasure and will find a blessing for every kind of day.
Dr. Elizabeth Rogers Tiller –
This is the book you were looking for without knowing. It promises nothing except that life itself, in all its messiness, is blessed by God. No conditions. I read the entry on “for this tired day” — as someone struggling to heal from lyme disease and needing to figure out how to make some money but not able to yet…BOOM…Kate and Jessica delivered such a loving accepting reminder from God. Even being too tired is blessed and understood.
Cindy –
I love this book and it is a great book to keep at your bedside. The blessings are based on real life experiences and cares, with an honesty and authenticity that is refreshing. It is also designed well, with bigger type and lots of white space that makes it easier to read, especially for those of us who are older. I am now going to order one for a friend!
Caresse Nguyen –
What I most love about this book is the truth about our struggles as human beings in relationship with God. There are blessings for any kind of day you’re having or a specific trial you’re facing. What an encouragement to know that He sees us as we are and still wants to bless us. This book reminds us to acknowledge and bless the lives we actually have with honesty.