Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World intrigued me right off. In the Table of Contents, Karen Ehman hit all of my favorite buttons… “Living a Life of Welcome,” “How to Care for your Clan,” Recipes, Gift Tags and many more ways to express affection for the people in your life.
Karen Ehman is an author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries who has earned the right to be heard. Other works include Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All and Let. It. Go. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith. Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World carries on her theme of making words count.
The principles Karen talks about are so counter-intuitive, they are a stark reminder in our selfie culture to put others first. Examples from the pages of history and the lives of those seeking to please God are peppered with stories from her own family and experiences. Here’s a sampling of thoughts:
Jesus lived on alert, noticing those “who needed a look, a word, or a touch from Him.” (pg 19)
Jesus “didn’t preach to everyone, heal everyone, comfort everyone, or even convert everyone. He simply showed up where God told Him to go and did what God told Him to do.” (pg 42)
“Kindness is contagious. Our loving actions might seem like they are only intended for one person. In truth, they are like a cannonball of kindness that splashes waves of love onto the hearts of all nearby.” (pg 63)
“Hebrews 13:1 urges, ‘Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.’ The phrase keep on here in the original Greek is from the root word meneto, which means ‘to wait, stay, abide or remain.’ It is a verb – an action word. In a sense, it means to never stop showing up.” (pg 230)
Do you have some bristly people in your life? Get this book! Karen includes tips to help stay the course as you seek to sew goodwill into their lives!
Karen’s writing resonates with those who are tired of doing life “business as usual.” Her insights are a refreshing commentary on the way to find fulfillment in your day-to-day activities. I am so glad for her nudge to honor others by listening to their “heart drops” in an effort to encourage and lend a helping hand.
Are you curious yet? Get your own copy today (On sale right now for $2.99!). Or, you can enter the drawing! I am giving away a copy, courtesy of Zondervan Publishers, to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) about one of your favorite ways to “Scatter Kindness,” and you will be entered into the drawing to be held on Christmas Eve. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Sally
Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The BlogAbout Network book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When I am waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store, I like to let those that have a few items to move ahead of me in the line. Or offer a smile to the cashier or those I pass while walking in the store. Or, by secretly doing a chore for someone.
Those are great acts of kindness, Pam! Cashiers especially need extra grace during the holiday rush!
Thanks for entering the drawing!
I LIKE TO SCATTER KINDNESS IN GIVING AWAY SOME OF THE SEWING THINGS I MAKE. GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH A SEWING TALENT AND I LIKE TO USE IT TO GLORIFY HIM. THANKS SALLY AND I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.
Oh Lottie, your works of art are a treasure! Merry Christmas to you, as you celebrate with the kids. Love you!
Thank you for entering the drawing!
Merry Christmas to one of the kindest people I know! Sally, when I see an elderly person having difficulty with shopping bags and a walker or cane, doors, ect. I try to be mindful and help. The same for expectant moms. We have so many opportunities each day…I pray God opens my eyes to see them and reminds me that ‘my’ time really is His, so I won’t let my selfishness with ‘my’ time prevent me from loving others. This sonds like a book I could benefit from :). Love you!
Oh Julie, you’re so sweet. I’m praying for your complete healing. Love you!
Good point, we need help opening our eyes to the possibilities!
Thank you for entering the drawing!
Would love to win this book! I scatter kindness by being intentional about looking people in the eye and giving them my undivided attention when listening to them. Asking God for words of encouragement for them in one form or another before we part. ?
Hi Susie, you’re right, eye contact is crucial to making others feel heard.
Thank you for entering the drawing!
Hi & Merry Christmas! I love being the listening ear to a hurting friend. Or, leave little goodies to brighten someone’s day! I love to give & try to do it as much as I am able. I think of it as giving onto the Lord as He guides me. Like you said, putting ourselves second. Something I know I struggle with daily. Like God’s word says, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Oh Kelli, it is a learning process for us all! I am so proud of you for the ways you are a light to others!
Thank you for entering the drawing!
Thank you Sally! You are such a great example of Godliness! I wish you a very Merry Christmas!?
Thank you Kelli, and Merry Christmas to you! You’re the winner of Karen Ehman’s book, Listen, Love, Repeat: Other-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World!
Email me your new addy, and I’ll get it in the mail first thing next week. Congratulations!
I notice prospective heart hugs each day…I try to drop some kindness sprinkles specifically to those struggling in suicide loss etc. I’ve been there…
It’s on my heart to notice the unnoticeable.
Beauty for ashes….
Isaiah 61:1-3.
Beautiful, Mary. And so needed during the holidays when expectations & memories merge.
Thank you for entering the drawing!
I don’t think I have a favorite way to scatter kindness; I just try to help whoever/whenever I can. And, I think I have learned to smile more and be more agreeable over the years (not an easy task for me) because I have realized that everyone has something they may be dealing with at the moment I can give them a smile and a kind word which might lessen their load or I can compound their load by being a grump.
A smile is the best gift, Marilee, and yours is always encouraging when we cross paths!
Thank you for entering the drawing!
I try to scatter kindness by sharing my gifts ? with others. I listen when people want to share. I use my crafting items as gifts for others , including newborns at the hospital.
I love the way you use your needles to make hats for the babies, Leann!
Thank you for entering the drawing!
Merry Christmas Sally ?
Merry Christmas to you, Leann!