Bittersweet

If you're not familiar with Shauna Niequist, you need to get to know her. Her second book, Bittersweet, released today and I was fortunate to be able to read an advanced copy. I fell in love with the book so quickly that I've been counting down the days until the actual release to purchase my very own copy. It's that good.

I can't remember a book that has hit home in a way that this one has. I identified with every chapter. This year has been one of the most challenging that I can remember in a long time and not just for me and Todd. Our friends and family have faced trials that I wouldn't wish on anyone. If you're in a valley or have just come out of a painful season, I can't recommend this book enough.

As I read Bittersweet, I took pages of notes. I'm really looking forward to receiving my own copy so that I can go back through and underline the passages that will forever stay with me.

A few of my favorite Shauna quotes...

"It's so easy when your own world feels a little dark and fragmented, to become increasingly self-focused, only able to see the frustration and pain of your own life."


"Life hands us opportunities at every turn to get over ourselves, to get outside ourselves, to wake up from our own bad dreams and realize that really lovely things are happening all the time."



"I don't know where our future is leading us, and I'm exhausted from trying to figure it out. Many of the assumptions I had made about life and faith and friendship shattered with some violence, and on many days it felt like the earth was moving beneath us and solid ground was a thing of the past."



"When you stay with something instead of walking away, it builds something new inside of you, something solid and weighty, something durable. But you do have to wait for it. You have to earn it the hard way."

Bittersweet helped put many things into perspective and reminded me of several important truths:

*God is absolutely in control. Even during the bitter times. 

*Community is one of the most priceless gifts we can receive in this life and I'm more thankful than words can express for my "home team." 

*A life that is sweet all the time isn't reality. We gain our strength and become our truest selves during life's bitter moments.

Believe me, this book is worth reading. You can find out more or order your copy here. And meet Shauna here.

"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. 
When life is bitter, say thank you and grow."




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