Review: Live Big, Love Bigger

Y’all, I finished reading this book on a plane. Live Big, Love Bigger by Kathryn Whitaker.

Not recommended. The location that is; I highly recommend the book.

I snort-laughed a couple of times and another time became so blinded by tears that I weirdly erupted into a coughing fit, which made the tears crash down on the pages. I would have welcomed a mini-horse for a distraction away from the scene I was causing. I could feel the judgy lady next to me peeking to see what I was reading. I should have handed it to her on my way out.

All this to say, what a wonderful book. What a wonderful message. And what a delightful read.

Kathryn Whitaker shares an intimate slice (slices) of her life and her faith journey in a compilation of anecdotes and memoir as sweet as that glass of sweet tea I picture next to a BBQ brisket sandwich from Buc-cees. Actually, it goes better with a cold Dr. Pepper in a bottle. But you get my drift — I love the book. And I want to meet Kathryn.

I love that she pulls away the carefully curated photo-essay of the perfect life to show us what a real family looks like today. Not in an instagram story…not on the pages of a parenting magazine. In a real home — hers.

Whitaker shows us Jesus present in her life and in her family instead of positing to-do lists. The result is not just an authentic sharing of a messy, but faith-filled life, but an encouragement to abandon ourselves to Jesus, and follow what works for us. It might not look like the Whitaker home (my kids are grown) but Jesus present in my home brings peace and order…in my case, perhaps accepting that I can’t beat back the kudzu along the fence line, and that’s ok.

Whatever road life has paved for you, consider this: Forget about the destination and focus on the journey. Wherever you go, do it with intention and purpose. Travel with a heart anxious for accompaniment. And remember that drive is always sweeter when Jesus is riding shotgun with you.