“We have to slow the rhythm of rush in our lives so the best of who we are can emerge.”
-Lysa TerKeurst
I’m reading The Best Yes by Lysa TerKeurst right now. Kevin found it at Lifeway and surprised me with it for Christmas.
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:
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.
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.
What sweet words from your friend, Lysa. And how precious that the Lord gave her this touching memory of her father. I am praying that her Dad one day comes to a saving knowledge of Christ who heals all our wounds. My father came to Christ about a year before he died and his eternal healing has, in turn, brought so much healing to my heart.
I am a long time reader but a first time poster – Lysa’s anecdote brought tears to my eyes as I sit at my desk at work….
To be fair, this usually happens when I read Layla’s beautiful words!
This sounds like a book I REALLY need! Thank you!
Layla,
I thought of you when I saw this adoption video posted a day or two ago. This family loves the Lord and adopted a little boy from Haiti. http://vimeo.com/116728307 Their story kept me in joyful tears the whole time! God perfectly provides.
My husband and I are hoping to adopt in God’s time. Until then, I find such joy in hearing others’ stories about growing their families through adoption.
And I so enjoy your blog–thank you for sharing the great ideas and your life with your readers! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I loved Lysa’s icicle story! Would be a wonderful book to win and read! Love your blog!!
I have been on a journey and this book sounds like a good companion. Sometimes I go to those dark places when I know God loves me, but Satan is a good convincer. Thanks for sharing your snow story, how wonderful to wake up and see all that crystal splender.
What a beautiful story and what a wonderful memory! I had not heard about this book but after reading your blog, I am very interested in reading it. Thanks for sharing!
Love the story you shared – Even in the midst of a not so good situation – Love shown through 🙂 Would love to be the lucky pesron to receive this book. I hadn’t heard of it.
Loved this wonderful post with the snippet about the icicles. My sister especially feels abandoned by our dad because she was very young when our parents’ marriage exploded. But through the Lord’s help we have been able to forgive our father’s abandonment and have lived a grateful lives for a long time since he passed away. Though we never had a any contact or interest from our dad we have been able to be grateful for our Heavenly Father and Savior’s care for us in our own families—-each of our husbands and children are especially appreciated because of where we “came from”. Thanks for the giveaway. Blessings to you and your family!
I have been adding the quotes you post on Instagram to my intention journal. I am looking forward to reading this book as this is a goal of mine this year. To only say yes when it does not take away from my needs and by doing so live a life of intention for myself and those I serve.
Thank you for this opportunity. I ruined my health last year saying yes to everyone . I have to learn a new way of thinking. This would be a great start for me in the New Year.
What a wonderful story! It reminds us once again that even the smallest acts of love can have such lasting and powerful impact. Thanks for sharing the story and the book, Layla!
This looks like a perfect read for this time of year. Would love to win a copy.
I would love to read this book. Thanks for giving…..
Just the kind of read that I need in my life right now! Hope I win!
“Whatever attitude be bring into a situation will be multiplied.” THIS! I am a firm believer of this! I would love a chance to win this book – thank you for the opportunity. 🙂
I am awaiting this very book :), I ordered it 2 days ago. Would love one for my sister 🙂
I’d love to win this book! Thanks for sharing about it!
We are all too often the victims of our own hurried schedules to the point where we don’t have time to remember. Thank you for the excerpt from her book…we all need to take time to make memories for our children, grandchildren and most importantly, ourselves.
I would love to read the rest of the book…Maybe I will be the lucky one.
I haven’t ever heard of this book, but this week I have been seeing it on a few instagram feeds I follow besides yours. My life is in a emotional crazy mess right now. I’m hating my job, but feel financially trapped to make a change (hence my mission of trying to get out of debt in the next 24 months). My 20yo son is graduating from college this year, and I see such determination in him. (hence the debt). My 16yo daughter keeps me smiling. We are trying to start her own small floral business to make money for college, and pursue her dream. Thanks to Evan Cooper at Chapel Market (2013) for giving me inspiration to bring back to her here in TX. Seeing what he has done made us say we can do this. Your posts and instagram feed bring up my spirits when I read what your God loving heart leads you to do. We never know the impact we make. Sometimes just with words, our story, or a simple gesture as holding the door or elevator open. I learn this from my kids determination, the love of my husband, my faith, blogs I read, and people I encounter each day. For 2015 my word is moment. I’m trying to savor and enjoy each moment of each day. Enjoy the hugs, the kisses, holding hands, the conversation, the scenery, the weather, or just sitting with someone. Enjoying all these moments will add up to one momentous year. I would love to win this book to keep my spirits up to enjoy the moments God blesses me with each day.
I have been wanting to buy this book and will even if I’m not chosen! I love the words of inspiration and that’s one of my goals for 2015… bring a more positive outlook to my day to day.
What a sweet giveaway! I would love a copy!
Thanks always for your encouragement!
Hi Layla!
Loved that little story. Hope I win the book!
I just heard about this book a few days ago. It sounds amazing…and challenging! 🙂
Thank you for sharing!
I’ve seen so many people with changed hearts after reading this, and I would love to join them. 🙂
As a working mother with two preschoolers, this book sounds like it would be helpful in making me critically evaluate more of my decisions.
This story was so touching to me. I live in Vermont and have icicles on the roof of my log cabin now and my father abandoned me right after my birth. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Icicles in Florida … from a sprinkler….just for Little Lysa. How inspiring. I am going to ask God to bring memories to me that will speak to me as to how loved I am / was. Lysa’s writing style is so easy to read~ I would love to read her book too.
Jane in Oregon
I’ve been enjoying the little snippets you’e been posting on IG! I would love to read her book!
Ooh, what a great giveaway!
What beautiful quotes!!
I’ve wanted to read this book for a while now, and I’ve loved the Instagram quotes throughout the last week! Thank you for sharing this post!
Such a great memory! It makes me step back and appreciate my Northeastern winter a little more!
I would love to win the book. I also love your inspiring blog.
A beautiful story of love, hope and forgiveness, and a wonderful way to pass along something that touched your heart.
love the instagram posts from Lysa’s book!
You are so generous to share uplifting quotes & moments of your life. We all feel like we know you intimately & wish you the best this coming year for the three of you!
It is all too easy to focus on our negative experiences, this is a great reminder to focus on the good things in life. What a magical moment it was for young Lysa.
Wow, I wasn’t expecting her story to ring so true to my own. I feel like I am meant to read this book in order to heal myself.
I’d love the opportunity to win that book. Thank you!!
This book is added to my official must-read list!
I always love Lysa’s books but haven’t read this one yet. 🙂 Thank you!
WOW! Looks like a wonderful read!! Maybe? Maybe?!
My mom just sent me this book in the mail and I started it last night!!! Already so good!
Really want to read this book! The quotes you shared from it are beautiful.
The book sounds wonderful but my heart is caught up in the icicle tree…and how the sun or should I say “Son” shone through it all to make it a thing of beauty and so healing.
What a beautiful picture and story. I would love to read the inspirational book,
I can relate so well to Lysa’s story about her Dad. What a beautiful memory and having the courage to see past the broken places of her Dad’s heart, to see pieces of his love, and to have hope. Beautiful.
I would love this book too!
I would love this book!