This is how this story goes: My boys are doing laps in the pool for swim team practice. It’s beyond hot. I’m sweating so much, my clothes are sticking to me. I see my friend sitting in a chair under an umbrella, so I go plop down next to her with my big swim bag and my big, bad attitude. Then I start complaining. I complain about everything. The heat, the sweat, swim team, summer, people… you name it, I was complaining about it. It wasn’t a pretty moment for me, but it’s the truth. Now, thankfully this friend is filled with compassion and humility. She didn’t look down on me. In fact, when I later texted her to apologize for my very negative and catty attitude, this was her response- “It was me! Please forgive me! I was unkind and catty. And surely it was stemming from my own insecurities. I love you.” Let it be known, this is the kind of friend I want to be. It reminds me of Brene Brown’s quote, “If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” I could have shamed myself all day for my terrible rant to her. Her response was just what I needed.
In the middle of my rant, my friend told me how much I would love the book Everybody Always. She didn’t tell me how I needed to read it (although, if you had listened to our conversation, you would know this is exactly the book I needed to read). She just casually mentioned it to me. Well, you don’t have to tell me twice to read a book by Bob Goff, I’m a huge fan after reading Love Does and following him on Instagram. He’s a breath of fresh air.
And now I get to my main point (hahahaha!). If you ask me, Everybody Always is a summer read that will make your summer! You know how with some books your days are brighter and reading it puts you in a really good mood? Everybody Always does exactly this! And if you haven’t read Love Does, read that one, too!
Now I need another book to read! What are you reading? Any suggestions?!
I’m reading it right now! I heard him speak at a Young Life banquet and he was so engaging and warm. Great suggestion!
I’d love to hear him speak!
Ordered both books, and received them today. Started reading Love Does. Thanks for your post!
Let me know what you think of them!
Unexpected by Christine Caine is a great book! It’s the book I read after Everybody Always. I love how these books challenge me in good ways. I need them as a mom of 3 teenagers!! 🙂
Thank you, Jenny! I’m going to download it for my trip tomorrow! This makes me so excited!
Oh goodness, where to start? So I’d never heard of Bob Goff until I happened upon this blog entry. I had some available Audible.com credits so just downloaded Everybody Always on a whim…..and became obsessed. So much so that I’m now listening to Love Does, and am sure that I’ll buy the hard copies of both so that I can highlight and write in them (and I never do this). I can’t even sum up on this comment how inspired and encouraged I feel as I listen. So, as I’m listening now while the kids are swimming, I wanted to make sure that I told you THANK YOU. Because I would normally think that I should say it but then would think of many reason why it isn’t necessary. But, you know, love does. So I did. 🙂 Love this and thanks so much for sharing your find.
YAYYYYYYY!!!!!! I’m so glad you commented! This makes me so, so, so happy to hear! I’m reading Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker now, and it’s really good, too!