The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen
Opening Your Eyes to Wonder
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Published: 2018
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
Lisa Gungor thought she knew her own story: small-town girl meets boy in college and they blissfully walk down the aisle into happily ever after. Their Christian faith was their lens and foundation for everything—their marriage, their music, their dreams for the future. But as their dreams began to come true, she began to wonder if her religion was really representative of the ‘good news’ she had been taught. She never expected the questions to lead as far as they did when her husband told her he no longer believed in God. The death of a friend, the unraveling of relationships and career, the loss of a worldview, and the birth of a baby girl with two heart defects all led Lisa to a tumultuous place; one of depression and despair. And it was there that her perspective on everything changed. The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen tells the story of what can happen when you dare to let go of what you think to be true; to shift the kaleidoscope and see new colors and dimension by way of broken pieces. Lisa’s eloquent, soul-stirring memoir brings you to a music stage before thousands of fans and a front porch where two people whisper words that scare them to the core. It is the story of how doubt can spark the beginning of deeper faith; how a baby born with a broken heart can bring love and healing to the hearts of many, and ultimately, how the hardest experience in life often ends up saving us.
Endorsements (12)
“Lisa is a good friend of mine, and she has written a beautiful book. When you turn the last page, not only will you know her better, you’ll understand yourself more fully. This book is full to the brim with truth and authenticity, love and compassion.”
“This book is about a spiritual journey, and I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside my friend Lisa through many of these passages in the fifteen years of our friendship. Lisa is one of the most truly creative people I know, and one of the most soulful. Her writing style is as beautiful as her songs are, and her journey will feel familiar to so many—joy and pain, disillusionment and discovery. She’s a brave and brilliant person, and I’m so thankful for this book.”
“Lisa Gungor’s beautifully written memoir is transparent, raw, and honest. She welcomes us into the hardest moments of her life with compassion and empathy, taking us on a journey of self-discovery that at times surprises and at other times has us screaming out, “Me too!” Her story is about the beauty and strength that are born in and through pain, uncertainty, and fear. I finished this book eager to find the gorgeous truth that each moment in my life has to teach me.”
“The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen is intimate in a way few books are, so bring along a box of tissues to blot the tears for the journey. It’s worth it: this work will show you the miracles all around you, especially in the dark places.”
“In her book, Lisa gives us the most precious gift of all—herself. We read the story of mother and daughter, and the transformation of that daughter into a mother herself—one unbroken line of womanhood, a journey of becoming and letting go all at the same time. This book is honest and breathtakingly beautiful. It is as much a woman’s story as it is an invitation into the greater story, a story of opening, oneness, and the painfully awe-inspiring journey of being human.”
“If there’s anyone in the world you want to teach you about wonder, it’s Lisa. When you read this book, your eyes will be opened to the beauty that’s already around you, to all the ways the very life you’re living right now is calling you to be in awe. It will take you deeper, and make you laugh and cry and feel at home in your own skin. This book is a gift.”
“With the skill of a wordsmith and the heart of a poet, Lisa invites the reader into an experience of humanity, family, and faith that breaks the heart and knits it back together with a greater degree of strength, courage, vulnerability, and love than it had before the breaking.”
“Lisa’s heart beats so vividly and passionately throughout every page of this book. What an incredible gift it is to be welcomed into her memories and experiences; it is sacred space. And what a privilege to learn from and be inspired by such brave vulnerability. As each of us stumbles into our own mysteries of faith, love, and family, Lisa’s words help us to stumble more gracefully.”
“I will never forget the first time Lisa and I met. She instantly felt like family. She is genuine and warm, and to know her is to adore her, and to be known and adored in return. These qualities saturate everything she puts her hands to. Her words, whether spoken in conversation, sung in song, or written in this book, create a wild sense of wonder and meaning which is often lacking in our day to day. I am so thankful she has chosen to share these words with the world.”
“This is a delightful memoir, masterfully depicting a woman’s reckoning with her evolving faith and the contentious voices of family, tribe, and religion. Its heartfelt hilarity and antidotal wisdom are soul stirring while thoroughly convicting. Lisa’s vision of beauty summons us back to the truth about ourselves, gently nudging us toward wholeness and love. I highly endorse Lisa and this book.”
“This thing drips with lived wisdom that only a wordsmith like Lisa could give us.”
“What can I say? This book reveals the spacious soul, tender heart, and frightfully creative mind of the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. In these artfully crafted words and heartwrenching stories, you’ll not only be inspired to see the world anew but also see why this woman has stolen my heart so completely.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem