Nonfiction

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days

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  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2023-02-26 10:51:56
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Kate Bowler
  • ISBN：0593193709
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Summary

Warm and witty blessings found within the struggles of our shared humanity， from the New York Times bestselling authors of Good Enough

Blessed are you， the strange duck。
You with the very intense hobbies。
Or the collection of movies or mugs or sneakers。
You with the hometown or home team that makes you very， very proud。
You， my dear， in all your intricacies 。 。 。 are a marvel。

We live in a world that demands relentless perfection。 Happy marriages and easy friendships。 Bucket list-level adventures and matching family photos。 But what if our actual lives don't feel very #blessed？ Might our everyday existence be worthy of a blessing too？ Even an average Tuesday？

Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie offer creative， faith-based blessings that center gratitude and hope while acknowledging our real， messy lives。 Formatted like a prayer book， The Lives We Actually Have is an oasis and a landing spot for weary souls， with blessings that focus on the full range of human moments: garbage days， lovely days， grief-stricken days， and even （especially） completely ordinary days。 These heartfelt blessings are a chance to exhale when we feel everything from careworn to restless， devastated to bored。 Let's have a reminder that we don't need to wait for perfect lives when we can bless the lives we actually have。

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Reviews

Naomi ，

I have been carrying this book around with me and reading from it every day， aloud to my family members， aloud to myself in the car。 I am not religious。 I am a sometimes sort of believer but mostly not。 These blessings are prayers that show that it doesn’t matter if I believe or not， God is still there， blessing my life， my “ordinary days” and “garbage days” alike。 It’s such a delightful， healing book for me。 A surprise gift from one of my dearest friends， and I am so， so thankful。

Daniel Oster ，

Nice little book of blessings that runs the gamut of every human emotion。 Each blessing reminds us that we are human， and the fact that we can feel so much is what makes us so unique

Theresa ，

I just browsed this book a little。 Gretchen Rubin recommended it and as with all books Gretchen recommends， I didn't like it。 It didn't work for me。 I just browsed this book a little。 Gretchen Rubin recommended it and as with all books Gretchen recommends， I didn't like it。 It didn't work for me。 。。。more

Jennifer Shanahan ，

I love this book so much because it is a book that you read more than once or just read parts of it on different days。 The daily prayers were so meaningful for each day that was represented rather than just going by the date numbers in order。 There are prayers for different moments in your life， good days and bad days， special days and also holy days。 I am so glad I requested this book because it is a book that I can really keep reading throughout my life as different events occur and as differe I love this book so much because it is a book that you read more than once or just read parts of it on different days。 The daily prayers were so meaningful for each day that was represented rather than just going by the date numbers in order。 There are prayers for different moments in your life， good days and bad days， special days and also holy days。 I am so glad I requested this book because it is a book that I can really keep reading throughout my life as different events occur and as different feelings rise in me。 I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for strength throughout the year and their lives！ Thanks to NG for the ARC！！ 。。。more

GK Bancroft ，

Kate Bowler has done it again。 Writing blessings for today， this day， when I need them。 This beatuiful book of liturgy and blessings felt instantly like it "understood" what I needed today。 It's not a book you devour cover to cover， it's a book you read slowly when you find the blessing you need。 I can see myself returning to favorite pages time and time again。 Keep some sticky notes nearby （or be prepared to dog ear the book） because I marked a lot of favorites on my kindle。 I highly recommend Kate Bowler has done it again。 Writing blessings for today， this day， when I need them。 This beatuiful book of liturgy and blessings felt instantly like it "understood" what I needed today。 It's not a book you devour cover to cover， it's a book you read slowly when you find the blessing you need。 I can see myself returning to favorite pages time and time again。 Keep some sticky notes nearby （or be prepared to dog ear the book） because I marked a lot of favorites on my kindle。 I highly recommend this book for your shelves （and for a friend）。Thank you NetGalley for this ARC。 。。。more

Shelly ，

I’m so sad I’m already through with this treasure。 I will be re-reading immediately。 Kate always says the real thing， and makes space for what is actually true， and without negating any of the harshness of our realities， shows us how to cling onto hope。 There aren’t words adequate for the gift her podcast and books have been to me。

Jennifer Cornelius ，

This book is — you guessed it — such a blessing。 Thank you to the authors for giving me the words I don’t have。

Kristina Hurd ，

This book is so beautiful and encouraging。 5 stars - will it be a present I give to everyone from now until forever？ Probably。

Tina Mullener ，

I really enjoyed this book。 I finished it quickly and then realized that this book would be great read daily。 Reading blessings daily， individually or as a family， would be an excellent way to connect to God and to others。 As always， Kate Bowler and her team at Everything Happens， wrote a book needed for this world in which we find ourselves。

Sarah Gerbers ，

Ehhhhh， this seemed like a less eloquently written version of “Every Moment Holy” vol 1 & 2。 It is basically a sloppy knock-off。 I gave two stars （which is generous） simply because of subject matter。 And perhaps someone who has never read “Every Moment Holy” would think this is brilliant， but really， it is merely a cheap copy of a wildly beautiful collection of liturgies that already exists。

Rachel Martin ，

I love Kate Bowler’s writing and also loved this book， a collection of blessings， not for the big moments of life， but for the ordinary days we live。 While some of the blessings are not relevant to my life at this time， I think I will continue to use this book as the authors intended， to dip in and out of， to give beautiful words to help pray into situations。

Catherinealice ，

This is not to be read cover to cover。 But the sections “Bless this Tired Life” and “bless this beautiful， limited life，” speak to me already。 I will reference it often and give as a gift， for sure。 Kate Bowler has done it again。

Angela ，

“Blessed are you， the strange duck。You with the very intense hobbies。Or the collection of movies or mugs or sneakers。You with the hometown or home team that makes you very， very proud。You， my dear， in all your intricacies 。 。 。 are a marvel。“Some people want you to know they are #blessed。Some just want to #livelaughlove。Others， like me， look around and think， #wtfjesus？This book is for that person。Whether you need a blessing for when you’re too tired to cry， or for the gift of doubt， or for when “Blessed are you， the strange duck。You with the very intense hobbies。Or the collection of movies or mugs or sneakers。You with the hometown or home team that makes you very， very proud。You， my dear， in all your intricacies 。 。 。 are a marvel。“Some people want you to know they are #blessed。Some just want to #livelaughlove。Others， like me， look around and think， #wtfjesus？This book is for that person。Whether you need a blessing for when you’re too tired to cry， or for the gift of doubt， or for when all hope seems lost， Kate Bowler （who has Lived。 All。 Of。 It。） has you covered。This book of blessings is for not for the lives we long for， or the one we feel we deserve （because no one deserves cancer/pain/loneliness） but for the life we actually have。9/10Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for this beautiful ARC。 。。。more

Jenna ，

This beautiful book of blessings was the perfect book at the perfect time for me。 These blessings are thoughtful， encouraging， realistic， and often times quite hilarious。 A wonderful gift for anyone， especially those going through difficult times。

Linda Hutchinson ，

” You have made us and drawn us to yourself， and our heart is restless until it rests in you。”~Augustine of Hippo⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The Lives We Actually HaveARC – Publishing Tomorrow， Feb。 14， 2023Authors: Kate Bowler and Jessica RitchieI waited until this evening before publication to write this review because the authors have created a glorious book of blessings that are so easy to understand and yet dig soul deep。 Like many， I have lost some beloved close friends recently， which becomes yet another t ” You have made us and drawn us to yourself， and our heart is restless until it rests in you。”~Augustine of Hippo⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The Lives We Actually HaveARC – Publishing Tomorrow， Feb。 14， 2023Authors: Kate Bowler and Jessica RitchieI waited until this evening before publication to write this review because the authors have created a glorious book of blessings that are so easy to understand and yet dig soul deep。 Like many， I have lost some beloved close friends recently， which becomes yet another time of transition。 My parents， who have moved on， have been gone for more than a decade， and it seems so impossible because， in my mind， they are very real and alive。 The fact is…for me， they are both。 Billy Graham once stated （I paraphrase）， “I have not gone; I have just changed address。” This book is NOT sad。 It is a book of blessings， and that is what we should remember。 We。 Are。 Blessed。 This is the first time I have pre-ordered a book well before publication because THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE will be a bedside book to comfort， remind， and encourage me。 I have long been a fan of Kate Bowler and Jessica Ritchie， and this book will stay with me， and I will write in it， pray with it， read through Lent this year （the authors provide instructions）， and be blessed by it。 “May my mortality feel as beloved as my efforts。 Because， in all things， I long to be yours。” #blessings #love #faith #trials #tribulations #encouragement #beliefs #God #grace @katecbowler @jesstrichie @netgalley @convergentbooks #TheLivesWeActuallyHave📿#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader #reading I received a complimentary copy of this e-ARC。 The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own。 Thank you to Convergent Books， NetGalley， and the authors for the opportunity to read this book。 Pub Date: Feb。 14， 2023。 。。。more

Tracie Gutknecht ，

Non-fiction - ChristianAnother stunner！Part self-help， part poetry， part devotional， but mostly religious prayer， The Lives We Actually Have creates 100 blessings for imperfect days。The authors define a blessing as a form of poetry that calls on God and stirs up the hearts of its listeners。 The act of blessing is the strange and vital work of noticing what is true about God and ourselves。 So many of the blessings speak to me and the authors encourage the reader to use the table of contents as a Non-fiction - ChristianAnother stunner！Part self-help， part poetry， part devotional， but mostly religious prayer， The Lives We Actually Have creates 100 blessings for imperfect days。The authors define a blessing as a form of poetry that calls on God and stirs up the hearts of its listeners。 The act of blessing is the strange and vital work of noticing what is true about God and ourselves。 So many of the blessings speak to me and the authors encourage the reader to use the table of contents as a guide to search for one that speaks to you on any given day。 Although， there are some that are directly written for Lent and Advent。This one spoke to me today:for this beautiful， limited day_____________________Blessed are we who see the impossibilityof solving today。It can't be done。God， there are lists on listsand errands on errandsand a taste， like tin in my mouth，of the unfinishedness of my life。Am I counting itemsinstead of knowing what counts？God， help me live here，seeing the whole truth of what is。Blessed are we who walk toward the discomfort，bringing what gifts we have，and our sufferings too，whether of illness or loss，grief or betrayal，confusion or powerlessness。Blessed are we who scoot up closeso we can whisper our loves， our fears，all that feels too heavy to carry alone，and all that we wish we could hold onto for longer。Show me what I love。Show me what I never want to lose。Show me what I no longer needhere in this beautiful， limited day。Gorgeous！ After reading Good Enough last year， I will never not read Kate Bowler。Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book。 。。。more

Jenny Lawson ，

This collection of blessings， prayers and meditations reads like poetry， which is nice bc I'm not religious so it normally wouldn't be my kind of book， but I fucking love Kate Bowler and will read anything she writes。 This collection of blessings， prayers and meditations reads like poetry， which is nice bc I'm not religious so it normally wouldn't be my kind of book， but I fucking love Kate Bowler and will read anything she writes。 。。。more

Bridgette ，

The Lives We Actually Have belongs on everyone's bookshelves。 There are blessings/prayers for just about every trial - all written so beautifully。 These blessings can be read over and over to bring peace and comfort。 Very highly recommend！ The Lives We Actually Have belongs on everyone's bookshelves。 There are blessings/prayers for just about every trial - all written so beautifully。 These blessings can be read over and over to bring peace and comfort。 Very highly recommend！ 。。。more

Cassie ，

Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC。 I loved this book of blessings。 I found myself tearing up and laughing， experiencing a whole range of emotions while reading。 This book is not filled with platitudes or easy answers， but explores how to bless the days we are actually living。 The section titles alone tell you how different this title is that what you might expect from a book of this genre， particularly， Bless this Grief-Stricken Life and Bless This Garbage Life。The opening lin Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the ARC。 I loved this book of blessings。 I found myself tearing up and laughing， experiencing a whole range of emotions while reading。 This book is not filled with platitudes or easy answers， but explores how to bless the days we are actually living。 The section titles alone tell you how different this title is that what you might expect from a book of this genre， particularly， Bless this Grief-Stricken Life and Bless This Garbage Life。The opening lines to blessing 20 （for when you're hanging on by a thread） got me as did so many other lines: "The coffee is probably cold // because it's been reheated in the microwave once already， // and long-forgotten mugs are scattered around the house。 // The kids are fighting in the other room。" I related to so many of these beautiful words， the blessings for issues big and small--for sleepless nights， learning to love the people you disagree with， surviving another day without a loved one you've lost， and more。 This is one I'll purchase in print and set on my nightstand; also one I'll gift to friends in times of heartache and overwhelm。 The authors admit in their acknowledgements， they write "medium-sad works，" but their works are desperately needed。 。。。more

Mhughessc ，

Kate Bowler is known for her trademark writing style， which is very open and transparent。 In her newest book， "The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days"， she is joined by author Jessica Richie as they write 100 poetic blessings。 This book is split up into a variety of sections， including blessings for those who feel ordinary， tired， lovely， grief-stricken， and more。 My favorite blessing included these words: "Blessed are we， swimming upstreamagainst the current of our own hum Kate Bowler is known for her trademark writing style， which is very open and transparent。 In her newest book， "The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days"， she is joined by author Jessica Richie as they write 100 poetic blessings。 This book is split up into a variety of sections， including blessings for those who feel ordinary， tired， lovely， grief-stricken， and more。 My favorite blessing included these words: "Blessed are we， swimming upstreamagainst the current of our own human frailty，our fears and emotions， and willing to be wrong for a second。To reconsider。 And hold to our integritywith kindness。"I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Bowler's previous books or to anyone who is looking for inspiration。 Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Mary Saou ，

When people talk of blessings， they usually spout the social media version of a shiny life。 Bowler & Richie look at it in a different way。 They suggest that the act of offering a blessing is a kind of re-ordering of things， inviting God into the world as it is。 This book is filled with such blessings， ranging from ordinary days to grief-stricken lows。 Bowler and Richie strike a well-crafted balance between real talk and glimpses of hope。 These blessings read at times like poetry， full of sentime When people talk of blessings， they usually spout the social media version of a shiny life。 Bowler & Richie look at it in a different way。 They suggest that the act of offering a blessing is a kind of re-ordering of things， inviting God into the world as it is。 This book is filled with such blessings， ranging from ordinary days to grief-stricken lows。 Bowler and Richie strike a well-crafted balance between real talk and glimpses of hope。 These blessings read at times like poetry， full of sentiments that I've felt myself but not had the words to describe。This is a fantastic book to get anyone， everyone， who hopes to be seen。 These authors truly see how we stumble through both the beautiful & terrible bits of life。 These blessings are like a warm blanket for the journey: not the cure， but a welcome companion。Thanks to Netgalley， Kate Bowler， Jessica Richie， and Convergent Books for the free advanced copy。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Carrie ，

I enjoy Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie a lot and have enjoyed their other books in the past。 This book is a little all-over-place but I liked it。 It’s quirky and each daily blessing entry is short and thought-provoking。 There are 100 entries in all， each given little titles to help you find one that will be applicable for your day or maybe your season。 In many ways these blessings are really prayers， words to use in describing how we feel and what we may be needing from the Lord in different mom I enjoy Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie a lot and have enjoyed their other books in the past。 This book is a little all-over-place but I liked it。 It’s quirky and each daily blessing entry is short and thought-provoking。 There are 100 entries in all， each given little titles to help you find one that will be applicable for your day or maybe your season。 In many ways these blessings are really prayers， words to use in describing how we feel and what we may be needing from the Lord in different moments of life。 I read it all in order， of course， because that’s a hard habit to break for me， but I can imagine using this book of blessings in the future， to send the perfect one to a struggling friend （already have， in fact！） or to use in a sermon or some other sort of communication。 I think it’s really helpful in giving voice to many emotions and situations that feel unbelievably difficult to describe on our own。 This book made me smile and also made me feel and I can imagine that’s exactly what Kate and Jessica had in mind in the writing。 It would be challenging to pick a favorite blessing/prayer， because I am sure that that number would change depending on each person’s own actual emotions and actual seasons of life…but a few of my favorite lines are …“Blessed are we who discover we are loved and held in arms that are strong enough to hold that which we cannot。” From 17“Hope is an anchor dropped into the future” from #19“Along the way show us how to live when we’ve lost the things we cannot get back。” From 34“You count， dear one。 And so does your pain。” From 52“You remember me when I am a stranger to myself， and an outsider at my own address。” from 58“Grace is never neutral，” from 76May we always seek to see our blessings in each beautiful and difficult day。 May we always search for words to speak to God about each one。 The lives we actually have matter so much more than the lives we wish we had and God cares about our actual lives。 My thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the opportunity to read this advance copy of The Lives We Actually Have。 。。。more

Sharon ，

My AudioFile review: Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie reprise their former pairing （GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection， 2022） with another offering of comfort and grace in a world of distraction and chaos。 In a mostly alternating narration， their voices work in harmony with melodious， though differing， tones and a similar unhurried cadence。 Bowler has a rich， deep voice; Richie’s lighter timbre is equally effective in conveying the message of each blessing。 There are blessin My AudioFile review: Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie reprise their former pairing （GOOD ENOUGH: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection， 2022） with another offering of comfort and grace in a world of distraction and chaos。 In a mostly alternating narration， their voices work in harmony with melodious， though differing， tones and a similar unhurried cadence。 Bowler has a rich， deep voice; Richie’s lighter timbre is equally effective in conveying the message of each blessing。 There are blessings for every stage and circumstance of life — from youthful problems to those associated with aging; for sickness of body， mind， or spirit， as well as blessings that can be used during Lent or Advent。 Kate Bowler fans and anyone looking for consolation and assurance will not want to miss this。 S。G。 © AudioFile 2023， Portland， Maine 。。。more

Kathy ，

I absolutely love this book， and am ordering several copies as gifts for friends， so that they too can experience the blessings that Bowler shares with her readers。What an extraordinary talent it is to be able to capture the essence of so many different emotions so exquisitely！ We live messy lives in messy times。 Some days are quiet， others are filled to overflowing。 At times we're in a good place in our hearts and souls， and sometimes we are desperately struggling to hold on。 But in every day， I absolutely love this book， and am ordering several copies as gifts for friends， so that they too can experience the blessings that Bowler shares with her readers。What an extraordinary talent it is to be able to capture the essence of so many different emotions so exquisitely！ We live messy lives in messy times。 Some days are quiet， others are filled to overflowing。 At times we're in a good place in our hearts and souls， and sometimes we are desperately struggling to hold on。 But in every day， in every situation， there are moments where we can find grace， and blessings， and gratitude。 That is what Ms。 Bowler shares so beautifully。The writings are very real， spot on， relatable and refreshing。 I can't recommend the book highly enough！My very sincere thanks to Convergent Books for allowing me to access an ARC of this book via NetGalley。 The book is scheduled for release on 2/14/23。 All opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and are freely given。 。。。more

Vellanorah ，

A delightful faith based book that has a moment of reflection for most occasions。 This book is meant to be picked up when you need it。

Denisa Ostas ，

It was a refreshing read。 Easy and a comfort for the weary days。 Christian concepts filed in lyrical rythms。 I expected a more God-centered book， but， still， it is welcome for the busy days you go through when you simply need a quiet reading。

Elizabeth ，

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC。 This is a book of blessings that you may want I read from cover to cover but I encourage you to savor it slowly。 Find your favorites and dog ear the pages so you can return to the encouragement and prayers again and again。 I marked a lot of favorites and will definitely purchase a physical copy。 I loved the depth expressed in these prayers。 Each one is meaningful and the organization of the book makes it so the reader can flip to what may speak to them in differ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC。 This is a book of blessings that you may want I read from cover to cover but I encourage you to savor it slowly。 Find your favorites and dog ear the pages so you can return to the encouragement and prayers again and again。 I marked a lot of favorites and will definitely purchase a physical copy。 I loved the depth expressed in these prayers。 Each one is meaningful and the organization of the book makes it so the reader can flip to what may speak to them in different life moments。 I highly recommend！ 。。。more

Vera ，

Received ARC through Goodreads giveaway。 Thank you！This book is a collection of blessings for a variety of occasions and contexts。 Overall， moving and thoughtful。 The overarching message of appreciating the imperfect nature of life was refreshing with its emphasis on growth and not viewing external misfortune as a sign of personal failure。 My favorite blessings were: "for this painful day （when our bodies feel like the enemy）"， "for stretching your heart"， and "for this grief-stricken day"。 I hi Received ARC through Goodreads giveaway。 Thank you！This book is a collection of blessings for a variety of occasions and contexts。 Overall， moving and thoughtful。 The overarching message of appreciating the imperfect nature of life was refreshing with its emphasis on growth and not viewing external misfortune as a sign of personal failure。 My favorite blessings were: "for this painful day （when our bodies feel like the enemy）"， "for stretching your heart"， and "for this grief-stricken day"。 I highly enjoyed the beginning section of blessings: "bless this ordinary day"。 The writing is lyrical but not overly flowery which helps maintain the honest tone throughout。 The blessings range from very specific to the authors' personal experiences， to widely relatable。 I did not feel like the target audience for this book。 I would recommend it for people experiencing illness， caregivers， or those experiencing a period of anxiety or stress。 The book serves itself best to reading based on mood or situation， and there are some recommendations provided - it can be a bit repetitive and overwhelming if read in one sitting。 。。。more

Kristy ，

A great book meant to be read in bite sizes for when you need a reminder about how great you are， or if you need some consolation， or if you need a pep talk。 At first I tried to read a large chunk of it at once， but it's really better taken a little at a time， leaving time to think about each short chapter。 I'm always a fan of Kate Bowler's honest approach to spiritual life。 A great book meant to be read in bite sizes for when you need a reminder about how great you are， or if you need some consolation， or if you need a pep talk。 At first I tried to read a large chunk of it at once， but it's really better taken a little at a time， leaving time to think about each short chapter。 I'm always a fan of Kate Bowler's honest approach to spiritual life。 。。。more

Alisha ，

I loved this little prayer book。 I really enjoyed the prayers for all the different times and how you could also use it for Easter and Advent。 The only thing I would ask for is maybe a verse at the beginning of every prayer。 Other than that， I really enjoyed this little book。 Thank you so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review。

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Reference

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