The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen

Opening Your Eyes to Wonder

By: Lisa Gungor

Narrated by: Lisa Gungor

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Lisa Gungor thought she knew her own story: small-town girl meets boy in college and they blissfully walk down the aisle into happily ever after. Their Christian faith was their lens and foundation for everything - their marriage, their music, their dreams for the future. But as their dreams began to come true, she began to wonder if her religion was really representative of the "good news" she had been taught.

She never expected the questions to lead as far as they did when her husband told her he no longer believed in God. The death of a friend, the unraveling of relationships and career, the loss of a worldview, and the birth of a baby girl with two heart defects all led Lisa to a tumultuous place, one of depression and despair. And it was there that her perspective on everything changed. The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen tells the story of what can happen when you dare to let go of what you think to be true, to shift the kaleidoscope and see new colors and dimension by way of broken pieces.

Lisa’s eloquent, soul-stirring memoir brings you to a music stage before thousands of fans and a front porch where two people whisper words that scare them to the core. It is the story of how doubt can spark the beginning of deeper faith, how a baby born with a broken heart can bring love and healing to the hearts of many, and, ultimately, how the hardest experience in life often ends up saving us.

©2018 Lisa Gungor (P)2018 Zondervan

purely gorgeous!

I loved this book from beginning to end. Her willingness to share her story ~ the successes and the failures, her vulnerability, her ability to open your eyes to new things, to new perspectives - it ended me. In a good way.

3.75 stars!

Lisa writes very beautifully. She is a wonderful person and I really enjoyed how she poetically expresses herself and her story.

I listen to Gungor regularly and love their music so dearly. I actually was not aware of any of the things she talked about in this, because honestly, I don't really follow people on social media or pay attention. I was actually very surprised while listening to this, but it did not change my heart and love for this family or their music.

Lisa talks a little bit about her upbringing, usually focusing on her mom and how similar or different they have become in their relationship. She also talks about how she met and started dating Michael (this was adorable by the way, and the whole kissing the neck and cheek thing made me laugh). Sexy time is fun!

I actually related a lot to portions of her story. She was raised very similarly to myself with the "edifying music" rule and Pentecostal type of lifestyle that was forced or too strict. It always bothered me how the Assembly of God church I went to handled things. I understood fully what was mentioned in this book. I also married young as she did and love my husband more than ever and I loved learning how their relationship works.

Many times my husband would surprise me with things he would struggle with in his time reading the Bible. I had a hard time with him questioning God or even asking questions, but now I find myself questioning many of the things, and I think it is a healthy thing to do in order to grow more deeply in my faith, so I am glad that Lisa asks questions.

I think my only sadness about this story is how confused and emotion filled Lisa sounds in the middle to the end of this story. She seemed to feel really alone, and I understand that too, as I have been rejected by friends because of certain things that I have questioned, and therefore they question if I am a Christian. I believe fully in Jesus' saving grace, so I feel that Lisa has endured similarly, except that she has been in the limelight and therefore gets more heavy opinions on how she lives thrown at her (which is terrible). We are accountable for our own lives and choices, not others'. I just feel like many times she blames God for the wrong in the world because she saw a lack of Him through the things that go on. I think maybe her focus is more on the people who do those hateful acts rather on the God who loves and sees those oppressed and often times does help them (I work in the field of human trafficking, and I have seen God through the most horrific situations). I think that is what hurt. We forget that man has a choice and the outcome of the sin of man can affect too many others, which does seem unfair, but God is not to blame, man is. I do understand her mentality though because I had really hard times focusing on the good when all I did was hear of such evil atrocities. I think we all do that at times.

Although I disagree with some of Lisa's ideals, I see her as valuable and beautiful. She is smart and filled with such love. I think we'd get along really well (and I want in on one of those dance parties too). I feel so similar in many ways to her. I am sad so many shun her and look down on her family rather than encouraging and being there with them.

The bulk of this book is about Lucy, Lisa and Michael's daughter with down syndrome who brings them so much joy and light. I really enjoyed learning about this. It taught me some great lessons in listening (oh yeah, I listened to this through Audible).

I think for most Christians, they might have a hard time listening to this. They would probably be filled with anger. If you do read or listen to this, don't do that. I loved how this book ended. So very nicely wrapped up!

If you don’t cry when listening

Beautiful written and captivating story telling. Will make you laugh,cry, and just down right smile. The struggle is real and honest and will make you think about life faith and way things are in this world. All is solved with a wild dance party

A beautifilly honest story of a growing soul .

I enjoyed the authors expressive honesty throughout the book. She adds to my own belief in the Divine Mother guiding us through motherhood and life's many awakenings. Thank you.

One of the most beautiful things I've read .

LOVE. I've loved Gungor for a long time. Beautiful Things was balm to me when I was going through cancer & chemo. It's part of the soundtrack of my family. My boys were in a band that got to open up for them in Cincinnati. For some reason there were about 4 bands opening up for them so by the time they finally hit the stage we practically got a private concert and it is still one of the most beautiful concerts I've ever seen. When our daughter moved to Denver we went to Bloom the first weekend in their search for a church home. It was lovely. I could see the candles burning when I read about it in the book. There were so many small connections like this, so many beautiful things that I got to see & see deeper as I read this beautiful story. Not only is it entertained with my own, but mirrors many parts of my own story.

Lovely

One of the most beautiful things I've read in a long time. I feel proud of Lisa for voicing a visceral and limbic thing with cognition and honesty. It's very hard and often painful work. It helps me in my own younger work toward the same.

A Beautiful, Sacred Story

Heartwarming and challenging. A beautiful story of navigating this world we live in, and a great reminder that our stories are Sacred Text.

This book is still changing my life

I find Lisa Gungor's voice gentle and grounding, and her message the same. She gives the gift of a faith that IS shaken, and thusly beautifully transformed into something humble and divine. This book gave me permission to give new words for God, and also new words and a new grace to myself. All I can say is thank you to the author who was brave enough to believe her story was worth telling. It really was a beautiful journey.

Beautiful story, beautiful heart

Lisa’s story is extraordinarily vulnerable. I’m so glad that it was her familiar voice reading the book on audio. Not only did I get to experience her world through her writing but I also got to hear the joyful expression of her voice. Love this woman.

Authentic

What an authentic story of faith, love, growth and life! No one’s story is exactly the same. Real faith, knowing Jesus, in the good and in the bad looks a lot more like Lisa’s story than many sitting in the pew every Sunday. Thanks for the encouraging reminder.