"A Million Little Ways - uncover the art you were made to live" - A Review

Every once in a while a book comes along that touches, not only your heart but, your soul. That's what this book did for me.

I'm participating in the Revell Blog Book Tour for "A Million Little Ways," written by Emily P. Freeman. This book was much anticipated by Yours Truly after meeting her at She Speaks in July. Emily is warm, friendly, and writes from her soul about faith, family, and life in general. Her blog, "Chatting at the Sky," is read daily by thousands and gives us a glimpse into her deep, thoughtful personality. This book is the result of several years of study, observation and wonder of a holy, creative God.

She had me captivated in the first couple of pages and I couldn't put it down.

We often want to put God in a box, limiting Him in what He can do with an ordinary person. One of the beautiful messages of this book is the picture she paints of the creativity of God. He comes alive for me in a completely new way as I see myself designed in His image.

The perfect combination

She debunks the notion that art is reserved for a chosen few. We all have the ability to make art with our lives because we ALL are created in the image of the original Artist, who was intrinsically creative. We may be writers or teachers, construction workers or cashiers...our lives can be art if we allow Him to live through us and be who He designed us to be. If we are a mom taking care of babies at home, we can care for these little masterpieces and be fully artistic.

In a recent "Jesus Calling" devotional it said, "I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home." My thoughts immediately went to Emily's book, "A Million Little Ways." This is one of the ways it spoke to me...God has ordained each of us and uniquely gifted us for a purpose. We won't fully be complete until heaven, but He sees the potential He created in us. He desperately wants us to see ourselves the way He sees us so we can reveal His glory through our lives. Ultimately, that should be the most important thing in our lives... to reveal His glory. That's what will make life worth living.

One of my favorite chapters is entitled, "Listen." As some of you may know, this past year has been a journey for me. It's been a time of being still before the Lord...of listening. This chapter caught my attention. It did not disappoint.

Listen to Your Tears.

Listen to Your Questions.

Listen to Your Heartbreak.

"I don't believe we have to have pain to make beautiful art - but when the pain comes, an artist knows she must face it. Grief does deep, important, sacred work. We have to pay attention to what grieves us and be willing to be fully human, both in what makes us come alive and in what has the capacity to shut us down. What breaks our hearts reminds us what is deeply important to us."

Is that not beautiful?!! Sometimes we have to uncover our pain and find healing before we can make art with our lives. Once the process is complete, the Creator can live through me freely, crafting the art He designed me to be.

This book has become one I will treasure. The author is a deep soul for her young age. She allowed the Divine Creator to write through her a profound work that, I believe, has the potential to live on and become a Christian classic for it has a timeless message.

May we all seek to uncover the art we were made to live, in whatever corner of the world you've been planted.

Blessings from My Little Corner,
Cindy

*I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review by Revell Books.