My Review of The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen, by Lisa Gungor
Available June 26, 2018
****/5, meaning it won't make my Ten Books Every Person Should Read list, but definitely earned a place even among the limited space of my bookshelf
(Full disclosure: I am a member of the Launch Team for this book, meaning I received a free copy of the book before it was released, in exchange for the promise to review it and share some information about it. At no point have I felt pressured to give a positive or insincere review. I mean, it's not like Lisa Gungor is reading this and calling me afterwards. But I want to have the integrity to reveal I did get a free copy up front).
This is a book about a journey. About finite humans trying to understand an infinite God.
Gungor writes this memoir, according to the introduction, as a letter to her mother, trying to explain their separation over the years. Gungor describes her upbringing in what would probably be described as a fundamentalist, charismatic church, to her questions about faith, and growing understanding of love. This story is framed ultimately around the birth of Gungor's second child, Lucie. Lucie's birth, diagnosis of Down's Syndrome, and the soul-searching it provoked, focuses Gungor's faith wanderings, and ultimately brings her to a new understanding.
While my journey is definitely different from Gungor's, there is enough here that universally connects. I laughed out loud (for longer than is socially acceptable) at her reflections on "dating Jesus." My heart broke with some of her struggles with Lucie, and I reflected on some of my struggles as a foster parent (especially with the comments from others meant to be positive, but ultimately hurtful). Much of Lisa Gungor's journey centers around learning to live with an open hand instead of a closed fist (appreciating what is rather than demanding what should be), and learning to be present. As someone who has been described as a "control enthusiast," Gungor's journeys hit home.
I made myself a mental checklist of people I wanted to share this book with, who might find hope and company in the journey. My wife, as she struggles feeling inadequate in parenting. The friend trying to find a new concept of faith out of a very conservative religious upbringing. The friend looking at her life and feeling the pain of unexpected difficulties and conflicts. So, even though I received a free copy of this book, there is a good chance I will purchase several copies.
Check it out. It's worth the read.
Available June 26, 2018
****/5, meaning it won't make my Ten Books Every Person Should Read list, but definitely earned a place even among the limited space of my bookshelf
(Full disclosure: I am a member of the Launch Team for this book, meaning I received a free copy of the book before it was released, in exchange for the promise to review it and share some information about it. At no point have I felt pressured to give a positive or insincere review. I mean, it's not like Lisa Gungor is reading this and calling me afterwards. But I want to have the integrity to reveal I did get a free copy up front).
This is a book about a journey. About finite humans trying to understand an infinite God.
Gungor writes this memoir, according to the introduction, as a letter to her mother, trying to explain their separation over the years. Gungor describes her upbringing in what would probably be described as a fundamentalist, charismatic church, to her questions about faith, and growing understanding of love. This story is framed ultimately around the birth of Gungor's second child, Lucie. Lucie's birth, diagnosis of Down's Syndrome, and the soul-searching it provoked, focuses Gungor's faith wanderings, and ultimately brings her to a new understanding.
While my journey is definitely different from Gungor's, there is enough here that universally connects. I laughed out loud (for longer than is socially acceptable) at her reflections on "dating Jesus." My heart broke with some of her struggles with Lucie, and I reflected on some of my struggles as a foster parent (especially with the comments from others meant to be positive, but ultimately hurtful). Much of Lisa Gungor's journey centers around learning to live with an open hand instead of a closed fist (appreciating what is rather than demanding what should be), and learning to be present. As someone who has been described as a "control enthusiast," Gungor's journeys hit home.
I made myself a mental checklist of people I wanted to share this book with, who might find hope and company in the journey. My wife, as she struggles feeling inadequate in parenting. The friend trying to find a new concept of faith out of a very conservative religious upbringing. The friend looking at her life and feeling the pain of unexpected difficulties and conflicts. So, even though I received a free copy of this book, there is a good chance I will purchase several copies.
Check it out. It's worth the read.
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