Celebrate Every Day: Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

by Shauna Niequist

Life is hard, and it can be easy to lose sight of what matters the most. We celebrate big wins and milestones, but what about the miracle of ordinary everyday life? What about the in-between that we take for granted and don't think is worthy of a highlight reel? Even though each of us experiences life differently, our longings for love and connection is the same.

New York Times bestselling author Shauna Niequist reminds you in Celebrate Every Day the importance of slowing down and appreciating the ordinary things you're taking for granted and missing as you’re planning for the milestone. Each daily entry includes two reflection prompts.

Celebrate Every

gives readers 60 days of celebration and insight on how ordinary life is worth relishing.focuses on overcoming busyness and insecurities, and building authenticity and friendships.offers 120 reflection prompts, so you can dig deep and discover what you’re missing.If you're exhausted with trying to be perfect, if you're tired of being disappointed, if you're done planning for the epic ending, this DayReader is for you.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

Shauna Niequist is the author of Cold Tangerines, Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. Shauna grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and then studied English and French Literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She is married to Aaron Niequist, who is a pianist and songwriter. Aaron is a worship leader at Willow Creek Community Church and is recording a project called A New Liturgy. Aaron & Shauna live outside Chicago with their sons, Henry and Mac. Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life--friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God.

Reviews

[Claire Stanovich]

As always, it was a pleasure, Shauna. She really is out here using the pen to make the minuscule, often forgotten parts of life feel the beating warmth of a soft smile.

"God's constant flickering and sparking flame inside me [...] I know [it's] the most precious thing I have, and that it can ignite a forest fire inside any heart and can burn away a lifetime of apathy and regret and distance" (11).

"Living at Hengrave was sort of like living in a British novel and sort of like being sick. [...] we padded around in slippers and sweatshirts clutching novels and cups of tea, like well-read invalids" (33).

"I want that happiness that is so much deeper than happy -- peace that comes from your toes, that makes you want to live forever, that makes you gulp back sobs because you remember so many moments of so much un-peace. I search for those moments the way I search for beach glass, bits of glitter along a desolate expanse of sand, and I want those moments to stretch into hours, into days" (69).

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all of these short readings. They are thoughtful essays on a variety of subjects. I especially liked one near the end on art--but I also liked many others. They all leave the reader with a good question to journal or think about too.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Shauna. If you have read her other works, then you will realise that the daily reflections contained in this book span a number of years and seasons in her life, but the practicality, reflection and spirituality contained therein is always inspiring and refreshing.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going in, I didn’t realize this was a religious book. But I liked the short stories and I think it did teach me about savoring life- just in a different way than I expected. Sometimes, it waned a little too philosophical for what I thought would be more of a self-help book.

[Shirley Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good bathroom read book. Short articles that can be read fast.

[Sydney Strutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a sweet book & read! Makes you feel warm & cozy & excited to celebrate life

[valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but a lot of the devotions were from previous books. I look forward to when she writes something new because I love Shauna's writing!

[Donna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite devotional writer, Shauna Niequist, beautifully weaves the sacred into our quotidian days. Her short commentaries on life that point us to God are good ways to start the day.