Rebuilding Beautiful by Kayla Stoecklein was a book filled with hope and encouragement, as well as empathy for anyone who is walking through a difficult season of life. Kayla's husband died due to suicide in 2018, leaving her with young children to parent on her own. She wrote this book to bring hope to others who are going through struggles. It contains personal stories, and messages of encouragement to help in overcoming whatever life throws at you. I enjoyed the personal stories that she included in the book, but I wish that she would have included more and went in chronological order with the stories. While her message was very inspiring, I felt like the book jumped around at times. I would have liked to hear more of her story.

Some quotes that stood out to me in this book included:

" 'I had this beautiful life,' I say. 'I had everything I could have ever asked for and more, and it's like that whole life died with Andrew and I was handed a brand-new one that I never saw coming. And I so desperately want to believe that this new life, even though it looks really different than before, can be still beautiful too. It's as if I am rebuilding beautiful.' "

"Life is a constant journey of learning how to let go of the plans I've made in exchange for the plans God has for me."

"As we embrace every sharp edge of this season of life, may we choose to let God and let others embrace it with us. We were never meant to carry our pain alone. Together is how we find a way forward. One brave day at a time."

"Loss gives us new eyes to see the grace threaded through all humanity."

"Joy isn't something that happens to us or something we randomly stumble upon; joy is something we choose."

"Real joy isn't anchored in how we feel in the moment; real joy is anchored in the eternal."

If you are going through a tough time in your life, or supported someone else who is, this would be a great book to pick up. It is written in a conversational tone, which will put you at ease and keep you engaged. You will get the hope and motivation to move forward in spite of your circumstances, from a person who truly understands the meaning of suffering.

Kayla’s story is heartbreaking and inspiring. I appreciate that she doesn’t hide anything about her personal journey but writes about pain in a way that everyone can relate. This was an encouraging book and one I have already shared with friends.

Kayla Stoecklein, author of the well-known book "Fear Gone Wild", has now authored "Rebuilding Beautiful: Welcome What Is, Dare to Dream Again, and Step Bravely into What Could Be." Stoecklein found herself as a single mother of three boys after her husband unexpectedly committed suicide. In this new book, she details how she pulls her life back together. She speaks transparently about pain, and encourages her readers to do the following: don't run away, shake off the shame, and consider your future self. Stoecklein even details the positive things that can come from facing your pain when she says, "Pain changes us; it expands our hearts to make room for empathy and compassion; it loosens our tight grips on all that is fleeting; and it opens our eyes to behold the gift of life that surrounds us every day."

Having read Stoecklein's first book, I was glad to see that she is still writing, and I still find myself inspired by her. This was a fantastic book and would be very helpful for anyone who finds themselves going through a painful time. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rebuilding Beautiful
Welcome What Is, Dare to Dream Again, and Step Bravely into What Could Be
by Kayla Stoecklein
Pub Date 20 Sep 2022
Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of Rebuilding Beautiful through Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:


What people long for most in the midst of hardship and loss is hope. They long for Hope for a way forward hope that purpose can come from this difficult season, hope that God is still with you.



Since Kayla Stoecklein lost her husband to suicide in August 2018, and has been passionate about bringing hope to those who wonder if life will ever hold beauty again. In Rebuilding Beautiful, Kayla shares the hard-won truths she has embraced in these years of grief and new beginnings to help you: discover practical and spiritual ways to welcome your pain so that you can ultimately surrender it.
step into community in order to be held as well as hold space for the pain of others.
understand the ways your body remembers trauma and find avenues for physical and mental healing.
awaken to the splendor of a life in which sadness and joy coexist, and
dare to dream again—spiritually, relationally, vocationally—as you discover more of who God made you to be in Christ.




In Rebuilding Beautiful Kayla reminds readers that it takes time to go from agony to awe.


I give Rebuilding Beautiful five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Speaker and author Kayla Stoecklein delivers an inspiring message of how she came face-to-face with crushing personal loss and discovered how to rebuild a beautiful life. 

Kayla Stoecklein became an unexpected widow in August 2018 when her husband, Andrew, the pastor of their large church in California, died by suicide. With three young boys also grieving and a heart full of pain, it became her mission to bring hope and help to others who have faced unexpected hardships. Rebuilding Beautiful shows people that they not only have a purpose, but that they can build a beautiful life once again.

In Rebuilding Beautiful, Kayla shares the life experiences that have turned into lessons, including
▪️acknowledging the pain;
▪️making the choice to start healing;
▪️finding courage in uncertainty;
▪️embracing God’s constant presence; and
▪️exploring a new path and falling in love with life all over again.

Sometimes, the journey from agony to awe takes time. Rebuilding Beautiful is the perfect roadmap for anyone who’s on the path from heartache to a life that is a new kind of beautiful.

Thank you @tlcbooktours and @thomasnelson for this tour invite.

𝗥𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 by @kaylasteck released September 20, 2022.

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲?
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
I have and I’m convinced I changed with them.