The Lives We Actually Have

This is a balm for my soul. I got it as a gift and I have already gifted other people. Deeply authentic prayers. I use it as prayer prompts as well. The book itself is of great quality, but has a weird smell. Oh well, nothing some perfume doesn’t fix ;)

I’m not a faith-and-worship kind of lady, but the love that Kate Bowler pours into her writing and the way she combines words into very pointed, specific, and spot-on statements and phrases is universal. This book is a gem.

This book is very unique. It is exactly what the title suggests - daily meditations or blessings for your *actual life*. There are blessings for your ordinary life and your lovely life but also for your garbage life and overwhelming life. There is nothing preachy happening here, just wise, heartfelt words for your very ordinary life.I have purchased countless daily devotionals. I can never keep up and get frustrated trying to read several days at once or the reading for that day doesn’t always match what I need. I love that this book is organized and searchable by the way I am feeling. Grouchy? This book handles it. Overwhelmed? Covered. Can’t sleep? There’s a blessing for that, too. Read 1 a day, 1 a month, 10 a day - use as needed.“We have been pulled into the unknownwithout our permission.But the challenge is the same:reveal truth in love in the midst of seeming chaos.Blessed are you who realize thatcommunity can help see truth more fullyeven if your chin has to be turned gently toward it.”

I rarely write customer reviews, but I felt compelled to add a review for this book. It is such a gift... I cannot believe how much peace and insight this book has brought me. I'm in a complicated season of life, both personally and professionally, and it feels like there is a blessing in this book for every experience I'm having. The blessings are insightful and thought-provoking and deeply moving, and I end every blessing feeling seen and known and loved. My most sincere thank yous to Kate and Jessica for bringing this to the world; it's honestly changed my life.

This is the first book I have read by either of these two women. I bought it primarily based on its title, because just about no one actually WRITES based on the lives we actually HAVE. From the very start, the authors completely capture the essence of our everyday lives in everyday language. They capture frustration that doesn't disappear with the customary Christian bromides. They capture the emptiness the results when you haven't felt God's presence for weeks or even months, and "knowing" He is there with you doesn't soothe the savage beast. Or change a thing. It's just "knowing."They capture the multitude of horribly ordinary moments that make up a life and break down a human resolve to live more faithfully, live more fully, follow Jesus more closely....and at the end of the day, you got DUST and only dust. Clearly, they know what's like to "pray through" those situations and not always feel better, different or even ready to move forward. And yet they know that moving forward is the only direction possible....for themselves, for me, hopefully for you.I love this book because it tells me that other people genuinely identify with the "ordinary-ness" of my life, of so many people's lives.....and sometimes, you just need to get that message from a book, not a sermon or a friend. If you ever THINK this may hit home for you, take the chance and buy it. For me it was and is totally worth it!

Not one you read front to back, more sporadic devotional, I like it very much! Highly recommend for those days you just need something different.

In her characteristic humor and utter honesty, Kate Bowler brings us a book of blessings for all of the ups and downs of real life. With wisdom and grace and a constant heart pointing us toward God, these blessings will be ones I turn to and share with friends regularly. I love John O’Donohue’s “To Bless the Space Between Us” but am so happy to add this collection for all of those other moments, like for collective grief, for the gift of doubt, for finding grace for others (and yourself), and for this garbage day. This book is a treasure and will find a blessing for every kind of day.

What a beautiful book. Reading the blessings is a meditation written by a friend who knows you well.

First page made me bawl. It was a gift for a friend and I would buy more.

This book is so rich in beautifully delivered wisdom. In times of crisis or bewilderment, I consult books, and this (along with John O'Donohue's Benedictus) is always a source of comfort and guidance for me. Kate always knows just what to say, and has been responsible for saving my mood/empowering me on several occasions now. Money can't buy happiness, but this book proves it can buy a healthier and more nourished soul.

I bought this to use with the specific devotional the authors provided for Lent this year and then worked my way through the rest of the blessings once that season had passed.I love how the authors capture the essence of everyday feelings. There's no glitz and glamour, no falsity - they just tell it as one feels and I love that. I know authenticity is a much overused word but that's what these blessings reflect: an authenticity of feeling, of surrender and a reaching for God. I was surprised how many of the blessings effected me and like others have said, I was highlighting many verses from so many of them.I look forward to the Advent series hoping that the authors may produce a new devotional to accompany this year's season (if not, I'll use last years).This would make a great present for loved ones who may be struggling through a difficult season and for Advent this year.

Kate Bowler is true to herself and her readers by laying out lament and blessing side by side in this book, which is full of powerful opportunities for self-reflection. It is a matter of feeling seen even when I know no one can change the hard stuff; at least in her words, I find someone who understands because they've gone through their hard stuff. All I can say is thanks for this book. I will be reading it over and over again.

Thoughtful, brilliant, an important resource which lives in easily accessible spot for very regular use