Catholic Review: God's Bucket List

God's Bucket List: Heaven's Surefire Way to Happiness in This Life and Beyond by Teresa Tomeo, November 5, 2013. 176 pages. Published by Image. Source: publisher.

From the popular EWTN TV and radio personality comes a to-do list that's just divine.
Scripture tells us only God knows the desires of our hearts. It was, after all, God who placed them there because they are designed to lead us to His will for our lives. Why, then, is it so challenging at times to figure out if we are on the right track when it comes to what we believe we want or need? God's Bucket List will examine what God wants for each of us: mercy,  fruitfulness, fellowship, and peace, just to name a few, and will explain what the Christian faith teaches about these gifts and how we can begin to achieve and cross out, one by one, the items on that heavenly list.

First Sentence:

Do you have a bucket list, an itinerary of things you want to do before you die?

Really, I'm not sure where to begin on Teresa Tomeo's God's Bucket List as there is so much that makes this a good read. From her personal journey from being career driven to beginning a relationship with God, really there are just so many angles of this book that interested me. So, in typical 'me' fashion I'm just going to type from my heart and see where my thoughts lead me.

As you've probably gathered over the last two years, I really enjoy reading books that make me think beyond myself and ones that force me to look deep within myself to see where I stand. So, you can imagine that I would be interested in reading God's Bucket List and seeing what God was trying to tell me from the pages of this book. Sometimes, I need to read something to finally hear something He's been trying to say: like maybe that I should occasionally take it slow and just be-"l'arte di non fare niente" (The art of doing nothing).

Beyond how the book makes you want to step back and seeing what God has planned for you, what really made this an easy read is Ms. Tomeo's writing style and how open she was about her own journey and the inspiration that she found after taking an interest in discovering her faith and what exactly it is that the Church teaches.
   One of the chapters that I found most interesting, mainly because it is something that I've noticed a lot of Catholic Christians struggle with (though something I've never struggled with) was how she came to terms with the truth on why abortion and contraceptives are not really women's health, like, the media would have you believe. I know, such a hot button issue to be discussing here, but I think there are so many people who are misinformed when it comes to why the Church, and myself, stand against it. It was just a fascinating (for lack of a better word) chapter because it so clearly shows what Pope Paul VI said so very long ago (way, way before I was even born), and, when taken in the context of Ms. Tomeo's story and her own discovery of the truth on the Church's teaching on these subjects is what really makes that chapter worth reading.

My second favorite chapter was the one Live the Good Life, why, because life is meant to be lived with joy and love. I really have no words for why this was a good chapter, it just is. Kind of one of those that reminds you to be present in the present and not regretting yesterday or fretting over what tomorrow will bring. It was just one of those chapters that speaks to each in different ways.

Heavy subject aside, I really think y'all will enjoy God's Bucket List because we could all use some time to step back and listen to what God is trying to tell us rather than telling him what we think we need. I for one will be going back through this book and going through some of the resources that she mentioned.
  Again, I've become distracted in my thoughts....
Teresa Tomeo's writing is not only easy to read but thought provoking as you follow her through her journey to a deeper relationship with the God. I just really enjoyed how easily this book caught my attention and had me looking within myself to take the time to listen.

Final Verdict: God's Bucket List- Thought provoking and humorous, this book speaks to life and all the paths one takes. My mind is really still mulling this one over.

God's Bucket List earns

this book was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review