Have you ever noticed that the holiday season didn’t enter our homes empty-handed? Of many things, it brought all sorts of nostalgic songs, including the singers who created them, with it. For so many of us, one of these artists is Point of Grace. For over two decades, this beloved and faith-filled trio has provided a soundtrack to not only our holiday season, but our every season. (And they’ve also earned themselves some Grammy nominations and Dove Awards along the way!)
Over the course of all those years, juggling family, faith, and life on the road, Shelley, Denise, and Leigh have learned some lessons. Whether it’s the adventures of touring, the twists and turns of marriage, the hard seasons of loss, the fight to stay in community, the ups and downs of faith—not to mention the kids growing-up, which takes all sorts of turns!—it’s clear that these songbirds have braved a lot in life. And their new book, How You Live (the title of their most beloved song!) reveals that they’ve come out on the other side with some side-splitting laughs and spiritual lessons to share.
Here are a few of my favorite things about this book:
- It’s most interesting to realize Shelley, Leigh, and Denise’s musical career wasn’t directly tied to social media when they first got started. Although it’s currently normal for us to keep up with the personal life of our favorite budding musician on Instagram®, gleaning laughs and lessons from their daily posts in real time, Point of Grace fans didn’t follow their music in that way for a majority of their career. Their personal stories, reflective days, and gathered wisdom weren’t piecemealed out on a daily basis. Instead, those experiences had time to serve their purpose in the moments for their families, settle in their memories, simmer for a while, and come out in their writing, years later.
So, for all of us who love Point of Grace, this book serves as a never-before-seen look into those funny, heartwarming, and sacred moments collected over the course of a lifetime.
- Another wonderful aspect about How You Live is the quality of the book. The fun textured cloth on the spine, the shimmering title, and the rich photography throughout make this something you’d want to display on your coffee table, opened up to the page that is ministering to you most. The pages that feature powerful pull-out quotes provide a perfect opportunity to snap a picture and share with friends.
- Another thing I love about this book is the variety of topics. The reading experience feels like a good, long chat with a dear friend you haven’t seen in a while—where the topics take all sorts of directions, and you can’t help but share things you’ve been learning along the way. With the three spunky personalities that come with these gals, you get exactly that! Whether it’s priorities and routines, authenticity, worry, faith, boundaries, health, marriage, kids, or major life milestones, the devotional essays will keep you wanting more after every entry!
- Given the format, design, and wisdom offered on a variety of topics, this book is so giftable! Wisdom for the new parent expecting a baby? It’s in there. Lessons learned on marriage for the new couple? In there too. Advice on preparing for today’s family time or tomorrow’s empty nest? Yep. A loved one starting his/her first-ever job? Also inside. A new believer who needs some encouragement on what faith looks like no matter what? You guessed it—in there!
No matter whose shower, wedding, or celebration you are attending, this book is sure to offer words of wisdom and encouragement during major milestones or life-transitions. And if that weren’t enough, there’s also a few tried-and-true recipes thrown in, holiday ideas, and bonus section in the back where the gift-giver can write in his/her own advice to share.
Holiday season or not, no matter who you are, it always helps to hear from a beloved friend, “Hey, I’ve been there too!” How You Live is just that—fresh perspective from sweet friends who really do get it. Point of Grace songs have seen us through all sorts of seasons, and now, the lessons they’ve learned will too.
Ashley Marivittori Gorman serves as an associate publisher at B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources. She holds an MDiv from Southeastern Theological Seminary and has been trained under The Charles Simeon Trust. Her passions are biblical literacy, women’s discipleship, foster care, theology, and books. Ashley and her husband, Cole, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their daughter Charlie. You can find her articles in places like The Gospel Coalition, Lifeway, the ERLC, and Relevant, or you can follow along with her on Instagram®.
