Book Giveaway: Love as a Way of Life

I’ve mentioned Gary Chapman’s books on love languages a few times on this blog, and I’ve mentioned them even more often to friends and family members. The Five Love Languages was very helpful for us in the early years of our marriage and The Five Love Languages of Children has been a welcome resource on this parenting adventure.

So when Waterbrook Press asked me to participate in a blog tour for Dr. Chapman’s latest book, Love as a Way of Life, I jumped at the chance.

Love as a Way of Life is an inspiring and practical book intended to help readers learn how to apply foundational aspects of giving love to every area of their lives. The result? Improved relationships, an increased sense of peace and purpose, and significant eternal impact on those around us.

Chapman dedicates a chapter of the book to each of seven traits that are essential facets of genuine love:

Kindness: discovering the joy of helping others
Patience: accepting the imperfections of others
Forgiveness: finding freedom from the grip of anger
Courtesy: treating others as friends
Humility: stepping down so someone else can step up
Generosity: giving your time, money, and abilities to others
Honesty: caring enough to tell the truth

Each chapter is filled with examples of how individuals have learned to apply these characteristics in their own lives. I found these inspiring stories to be very motivating. Just hearing about how others have become more generous or patient made me want to do the same. Chapman also helps readers realize that becoming more kind, forgiving, generous, etc. is often a matter of mindset. We need to remind ourselves regularly of basic truths: Every person we encounter is valuable. No one is perfect. Every interaction is an opportunity to positively impact others.

Finally, Chapman includes very practical advice for incorporating these seven traits into our everyday lives. Scattered throughout the chapters are helpful “habits to acquire.” And each chapter ends with questions for reflection and options for application that you can put into practice immediately.

Following the chapters on the individual characteristics, the author has set aside a few chapters addressing the specific challenges and opportunities of making love a way of life in marriage, in parenting, and in the work place.

Love as a Way of Life reads quickly, but is packed with useful advice and application. I found myself underlining and taking notes continually.

If you’re interested in reading Love as a Way of Life, you can find it at Amazon. But I also have two copies to give away! If you’d like to win one, just leave a comment on this post. I’ll pick the winners Sunday and announce them here Monday morning.