I received a copy of this book for my birthday and I really enjoyed it. Emily packs a lot of life wisdom into the pages of this book and she accompanies her messages with delightful watercolor images. Here is a sampling of her wisdom:
There’s a better way to
live—free of comparison and chasing after what isn’t meant to be ours—and it
all comes down to where we focus our eyes and our hearts while we run (pgs.
104, 105).
How we move through our
lives is up to us. We can hit autopilot,
allowing life to just happen to us and knock us about like one of those
metallic balls in a flashy pinball machine. We can move with do-it-yourself
determination and look to the world, circumstances, successes, failures,
relationships, possessions, and popularity to assign us meaning and value. Or,
as Jesus suggests, we can wake up to the truth, willingly surrender our independent
way of life that leads to dissatisfaction and exhaustion, and instead align
ourselves with him (pgs. 153, 154).
Our energy, willpower,
enthusiasm, and conviction will eventually run out if we are not connected to
an abundant, never-ending source of nourishment. The true answer to how to live in alignment
with our purpose and in step with Jesus is that word: abide (pg. 196). Even my
very best efforts, my most eloquent mission statement, and my sheer dedication
to my purpose will not be enough for a deep, soul-fulfilling, fruit-producing
life of love. I can do nothing of
spiritual value without him (pg. 209).
Each of us has gifts and
talents and passions inside. We do not
pursue these to prove our value or give our lives meaning. Instead, out of a
deep, abiding trust in God, we use them to become the people he always intended
for us to be—quietly confident, contented, and full of unrelenting trust even
when life is not as smooth as we wish. And we use these gifts he’s given us as
an offering back to him (pg. 262).
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