When asked the question what my favorite book was previously, I have never had an answer. Now, ever since this summer, I do. This book has shaped my thinking, given me hope, and transformed my every day life. I use the quotes I have underlined from the book nearly every day in conversation. I even customized shoes that have on the heel two words from the book to remind me to live out what it has taught me. This book is titled, Uninvited. It is my all time favorite book by a fabulous author, Lysa Terkeurst.
Uninvited first entered my life when I subscribed to Faithbox. When my first faithbox arrived in my mailbox I was so eager to see what was in it. I opened the box and was shocked of everything it included. Every single item was something I had needed right then and then last but best of all this book was at the bottom. The sub-title read, “Living loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely.” Um…yes? I felt all of these things. It spoke directly to me and I was hooked before I even opened the book.
As I began to read, I became more and more passionate about this book. I savored every word she said. Each phrase held so much truth and honesty. I hate masks. We all have masks that we put on to hide our true selves because we are scared of rejection. She reinforced and furthered my beliefs about this. Rejection causes so much damage and we hide behind our masks. However, no way did Lysa hide behind a mask when writing this book. She made it apparent she did not have it all figured out but came to me as a friend walking in this hard life beside me. I have never found a book to be more real and therefore relatable.
“Live Loved” is now sewn into the back of my Nike shoes because what better way to remember how to live than to put it on your favorite shoes? If you are searching for love or acceptance and just cannot seem to find it, this is your book. One of the greatest lessons this book taught me is from this sentence: “Live from the abundant place that you are loved, and you won’t find yourself begging others for scraps of love.” How awesome is this? You are loved by the One who created love.
So I do not want to spoil this book at all but I had to say that every girl or woman must read it!! Even for those you think they have not been affected by rejection or you know what it is like to be fully loved, read it. There is another whole level of invitation for acceptance and love waiting for you to reach out and take it. So, trust me, you want to read this book.
Read it!
Olivia Mars
LiveGrace 