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The Best Yes

By

“We have to slow the rhythm of rush in our lives so the best of who we are can emerge.”
-Lysa TerKeurst

Diamond

I’m reading The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst right now. Kevin found it at Lifeway and surprised me with it for Christmas.

Lysa TerKeurst | The Best Yes | Dayspring

(Dayspring)

It’s about making wise decisions in the midst of endless demands, and I have enjoyed it SO much. Goodness, that woman has such a way with words! I’ve been Instagramming some of my favorites snippets lately:

Lysa TerKeurst | The Best Yes

I picked up an extra copy at the bookstore this week because I thought it would be fun to host a giveaway here today. If you’d like to enter to win it, just leave me a comment below and I’ll (randomly) select a name tomorrow night before I head to bed. 🙂 (I’ll include it at the end of Friday’s post.)

Kevin and I had the pleasure of meeting Lysa in Virginia Beach several years ago, and we guest posted on each other’s blogs shortly thereafter. I went back and read the post Lysa shared here on my blog this morning. I had forgotten how much it gleamed…

Warm Icicles
by Lysa TerKeurst

Last year my husband and I traveled to Vermont where I woke up one morning to stare at what an overnight snow storm brought us. I had never seen such snow in all my live long day. But what really caught my attention were gigantic icicles hanging from the roof line. They were perfect. As I stared out at them, suddenly a memory flashed across the screen of my mind. It was about my Dad. My biological Dad. The one who abandoned me a long time ago and who knows nothing about my life now. I don’t have very many memories of him, and the ones I do have aren’t that great. If I let my mind dwell on the gaping hole he left in my heart, I get sad even to this day. God has been so good to help me see that I am not the child of a broken parent any longer- that I am a child of God. I am loved. I am treasured. I am wanted.

But sometimes, this nagging thought sneaks into the crevices of my heart and I start wondering, why didn’t my Daddy love me? That’s why this icicle memory brought such joy to my heart. It is a good memory of my Dad. It rushed into my mind that morning in a way that brought a fresh, gleaming perspective.

I grew up in Florida which meant no snow- ever. But I remember praying for snow. Praying like a revival preacher at a tent meeting I tell ya. If ever there could be snow in Florida, surely a passionate little girl’s prayers could open up those heavenly snowflake storehouses.

One night, the temperatures dropped surprisingly low, and the weather man called for a freeze. This was a rare thing in our area. How tragic there was no precipitation on this particular cold night. It was the one night that snow might have been possible. It broke my little snow bunny heart. But the next morning I awoke to icicles everywhere. Gleaming, dripping, hanging, light reflecting, glorious icicles were all over the trees in our back yard. It was magical.

icicles-on-tree-branch

We were the only house on the block with this grand winter display because I was the only girl whose Daddy thought to put out sprinklers on the one night it froze.

I don’t know where this memory has been hiding for too many years, but what a gift. Somewhere in the deep, mysterious, broken places of my Dad’s heart, there was an inkling of love. I pray wherever he is today, he too remembers the night of the icicle wonderland. For it is a common thread of hope that ties too very distant hearts together…and that makes me smile.

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna

    I love this! So true and especially love the quote about the schedule you keep determine’s how you live your life… Thanks for sharing!

  2. Hannah

    I’ve been wanting this book for a while! I know it would definitely bless me and the people around me! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Becky C

    I’ve been wanting to pick up this book! I think it would be a great read for the mom time study group I’m in.

  6. Mallory

    I’ve been looking for my next inspirational page-turner <3
    PS: I look forward to meeting you. I sat behind you at church weekend before last, but I was too chicken to say hello 😉 Next time!

  9. Heidi

    I love the icicle tree photo! I would love to read the book. I enjoyed the story she shared on your blog.

  12. Amber Wisniewski

    I have had this book stored in my “to read” list on pinterest for a long while now and have been wanting to read it for so long. Thanks, Layla!

  14. Sherrie

    I have been looking forward to reading this book! So applicable to the way we live these days.

  15. Katie Hanchinamani

    I have been wanting to get this book! Mainly because the cover is so cute! hahaha but also because it sounds amazing! 😉

  16. Kristen

    I’ve been seeing your IG posts about this book. It seems like it has so much truth in it. I am reading Unglued now, and it’s really great. 🙂

  17. Caitlin

    I’ve been going back and forth about whether this would be my next read! I suppose if I win, I’ll definitely have my answer! That would be “the best yes.” 😉

  18. Lin

    I would love a copy of this book. A friend of mine recently recommended it. With six children (3 at home) and 5 grandchildren, I think it just might be what the doctor ordered for me.

  19. Rachel

    This book is on my reading list for 2015… I’d love to be blessed with it. Could SO use the pick me up right now in my life!

  23. Connie

    I love it when the information coming into my life hits on the same theme and here it is that connection again! I am in a bible study studying the need to give space in our lives to hear God’s message to us by observing the Sabbath. This book appears to contain some very similar wisdom.

  26. Heather

    I’m really excited about this book – I really enjoy Lysa TerKeurst’s writing! Thanks for the giveaway!

  27. Kristin

    Love the sweet story of the icicles. I’m sure it is an amazing book and I’d love a copy!

  28. Crystal

    Lysa goes to my church and I’ve had the pleasure of hearing her speak several times. She is an amazing story teller. I just enrolled in her Proverb 31 ministries Compel training last month and have gained so much writing wisdom from her and her staff. I’d highly recommend for anyone with a heart for writing (whether you think you are any good at it or not).

  32. Amy Brown

    I love the icicle story. I know in each heart there is love. Many hearts though, are clogged with scars and that makes the love harder to come out.

  34. S Hughes

    My co-worker is reading this book and loves it. How thoughtful for you to give one away.

  36. Chell

    I’ve loved all the snippets you’ve posted of this book on IG. I really look forward to all of your posts, they’re always a bright spot in my day, thank you!

  37. Sharon

    This book, I am sure, would be a great resource this time of year as I/we tend to re-evaluate what is important to us, how we are spending our time and energy…and dreaming and planning about what the future holds. Of course, a “best yes” (over and over and over…) is key. Would love to read the book….

    And btw, Layla, as a mom of now-grown children we adopted at birth so many years ago, I pray for you as God brings you and your husband to mind. It is a challenging – but oh so worth it – adventure in welcoming into your family the child(ren) God has had in mind for you along. 🙂

  38. Amory Skaggs

    I’ve heard so many people recommend this book lately! Can’t wait to read it!

  41. Cheri

    This book is on my reading list! I can’t wait to read it … but have a couple others to finish first! Love your snippets on IG!

  42. Alice S

    I’m sure that Lysa’s book would be very convicting. I would love to win it and start making better decisions about my family’s time.

  45. Edwina

    I’ve been wanting to read this! Thanks for the opportunity to win it. You bless your readers in so many ways!

  46. Pam M

    I would love to read this book. I’m currently reading her “Unglued” and I think she wrote it just for me! 😉