A Million Little Ways {Why I Love This Book}

Since I first found Emily Freeman’s blog 3 years ago, I’ve regularly turned to her words when my soul needs a breath of fresh air.  She’s an author with whom I often personally relate, plus, she’s a really good writer.

In her first book, “Grace for the Good Girl” it was like she climbed inside my brain and shifted little pieces around until life, both past and present, made more sense and had a lot more grace shimmering all over it.

Her second book was more of the first, but for a younger audience. I enjoyed gifting it to several of my favorite young women, excited that they could receive the message of grace-enough-for-me even sooner than I did.

Then came A Million Little Ways. A book  I really didn’t have time to read and review this month. But, it was one of my favorite authors! And a girl’s gotta have some indulgences in a season of crazy, right?

And so, in little snitches here and there, during late night feedings and turns in the passenger seat and–#keepingitreal–bathroom breaks, I’ve been nibbling on Emily’s delicious prose. And here’s what I have to say about it…

What I loved…

Emily’s words inspired deeper thoughts than I’ve felt capable of thinking in…months. She’s gently lead me to deep, reflective waters that have refreshed a soul rubbed raw by busy schedules and way. too. little sleep. She’s reminded me that there is something deeper than the to do list, while explaining that my to do list itself is art. She’s reminded me that I–we all–have an artist inside us. Sometimes hiding terrified in a corner, sometimes left behind and forgotten in the childhood years. And she’s reminded me that to feel fully alive, to be all God made us to be, to experience the joy and fulfillment He meant for His creation, we must be willing to make the art He made us to make.

It’s just like the verses I’ve been SOAPing in Ephesians this month…”For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk in them.” Yeah, those good works are more than sweaty service in crusty corners…it’s also creating beauty, whispering encouragement, and doing those things that makes us feel alive.

When I read the War of Art by Stephen Pressfiled, I was convinced and motivated to push through the resistance to make my art. But in Emily’s words, I find the resistance itself explained, from a woman who gets it, and who knows the Father. It all has to do with identity. We forfeit the ability to make and live our art when we forget who and Whose we are. Remembering that allows us to dip into the depths of all the beauty He meant to happen when He breathed His own breath into our souls.

It’s a journey. I’m on it. You’re on it. And this book is for anyone who needs a hand up or a little more light to make progress on living and creating in all the freedom God meant for us. I’ll admit, I’m not even done with the book yet. I believe it’s meant to be read slowly, reflectively, and, if you’re an extrovert like me, in community with friends so you can talk through the gentle promptings and ideas that will flow as you discover the million little ways He’s given us to walk in His image as an artist.

Quotes…
Here’s a few of my takeaways so far:

“Your childhood dream delights God.”

“What if you desire to do a particular thing because God create you a particular way, not to tease you or to make you miserable, but to actually mold you into becomeing more like him, for his glory and the benefit of other?”hi

“…being an artist has something to do with being brave enough to move toward what makes you come alive.”

What I didn’t like…
Just kidding! There wasn’t anything I didn’t adore about Emily’s latest book. So, there you go. 😉

A Million Little Ways is available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.