Catholic Review: The Grace of Yes

The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living by Lisa Hendey, November 3, 2014. 160 pages. Published by Ave Maria Press. Source: publisher.

Catholic new-media personality and bestselling author Lisa M. Hendey is fueled by a lifelong passion for her faith. In The Grace of Yes, she guides readers through pivotal moments of her journey and the eight virtues that have helped her—and will help readers—learn how to say yes to God.

Beloved Catholic blogger Lisa Hendey explores eight spiritual virtues that she believes are foundational to the Christian life. In opening windows to pivotal moments of her own spiritual journey, she helps readers learn about belief, generativity, creativity, integrity, humility, vulnerability, saying no, and starting over, and shows how these virtues lead to generous living and the ability to joyously say yes to God. Hendey reflects candidly on real-life struggles: the identity adjustment of leaving a blossoming career to become a stay-at-home mom; the temptation of Divahood as her online celebrity grew; the freedom and opportunities of empty-nest status versus the middle-aged body’s pull to slow down; her encounters with spiritual community during treatment for cancer; and the contrast between the profound lingering grief she confronted at a Rwandan genocide memorial and the astounding willingness of survivors there to forgive. Readers encounter Hendey’s own struggles and successes while soaking up her characteristic warmth and good advice. Hendey provides questions for personal reflection and a prayer to close the exploration of each virtue.

While I was hoping on having this review up this past weekend, that did not happen-obviously. My mom found this to be such an intriguing book that she borrowed it when it came in...before I even got the chance to read it. Good news, it has been doubly approved by both myself and my mom as we both found Lisa Hendey's The Grace of Yes to be one incredible read.

From the outset, I knew I was going to enjoy The Grace of Yes because Lisa Hendey's writing is so down to earth and personal. You can understand her so well; not just where she's coming from in her story, but, also because in a way it speaks to you, or myself, of me (even though I have not experienced some of the things she has). While her writing in some ways, and not in others, is very relate-able, it is the eight virtues for generous living mingled with her own journey that makes this an interesting and thought provoking read.

Don't even bother asking which chapter I liked most because each one left a different yet important mark. Even though there was something that spoke to me in each chapter, the one two that made the most impact would be The Grace of Creativity and The Grace of No. When it comes to the former, The Grace of Creativity, I cannot put into words here why I enjoyed it, except to say that it has me praying that I'll be able to recognize the gifts the Lord has given me that I may better use them for His glory and not my own; also, that once I know them, I can get out of my reserved, shyness and refrain from hiding said gifts/talents.
The Grace of No, well, let's just say that sometimes one does need to say no. That is something that I'm still working on and probably will be for some time.

As readable as The Grace of Yes was, I am finding it nigh impossible to put into words why it is such a good book. Call it a fail of words or a brain that should be sleeping rather than typing.
Really, if both my mom and I can agree that The Grace of Yes  is a good read, than that is really reason enough for me to recommend this one. Lisa Hendey's writing, in my opinion, well speak to an assortment of people and their various walks of life.

Two last thoughts: from a faith perspective, this is an interesting read because these are things that everyone struggles with. And, hearing her speak about the challenges of her life and her faith really makes this a book that needs to be read. I'm pretty sure that there's something for everyone, and not just for female readers. Finally, from a reader perspective, subjects of each chapter and they way they blend together, paired with Ms. Hendey's writing, is quite good.

On a whole, I'm still processing this book and praying over some of what I've read.

Final Verdict: The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living- Is appealing to readers of various ages and walks of life.

The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living earns

this book was received from Ave Maria Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.