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Everyday Holy

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So I have a new book out today.

And it’s weird because I keep forgetting about it. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I feel like I was just doing all this with Church of the Small Things and now here I am again. Or maybe it’s because it’s mid-April and we’re just in that crazy downhill run to the end of the school year. Or maybe it’s because Cardi B. is pregnant and I’m just focusing on that.

I don’t think it’s that last thing.

Although Caroline told us at dinner last night that some of her friends were arguing on Snapchat about some stuff and P and I decided to do a deeper dive into that statement and asked, “What are they arguing about?” And she replied, “Oh, you know, like celebrity pregnancies and stuff.”

I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.

Anyway, Everyday Holy is different from my other books because it’s a 100 day devotional. When I started writing it, I thought it would essentially be like writing 100 blog posts. How hard could that be?

Let me tell you the answer. It was very hard.

But you know what it taught me to do? To look for God in all the ordinary, mundane day-to-day places of real life. That has really been the theme and the challenge God led me to as I wrote Church of the Small Things and it continued on into Everyday Holy. It has challenged me and it has changed me. It’s taught me that the biggest thing God calls us to do in this life is to look for him right where we are, instead of always waiting for that elusive next thing. He has each of us where we are for a reason and a purpose.

As for the cover, I want to show you the original inspiration. My friend and artist, Heather Gauthier, painted this piece and named it “Richard’s Third Espresso”.

I have this print of it sitting on my mantle because it makes me laugh every time I see it. And when we began to discuss the cover of the devotional, I was struggling with what it should look like. I mean, it’s a devotional book. Does that mean it needs to have like praying hands and a peaceful riverside scene on the front? Maybe a waterfall?

So I sent them this picture of Richard and said, “Hey, I know this is random but I really love this guy” and they sent me back a prototype of what became the cover, featuring Richard front and center. I could not love it more.

I feel like Richard is all of us. Life has him a little frazzled. Maybe even a tad freaked out. He needs that third espresso even though he knows that much caffeine is bad for him. And he’s got that one feather that won’t stay down no matter what products he uses.

And here are a few sample pictures from the inside just so you can get a feel for how much it’s basically like something Oswald Chambers would have written.

All that to say, I love this book. I realize I’m biased because I wrote it, but I’m really proud of how it came together and I know that God was in it every step of the way because otherwise I would’ve just watched Netflix.

My hope is that it will make you think, make you laugh, and draw you closer to the God who loves to see us do both of those things every day. It would also make a great Mother’s Day or graduation gift because Richard is all about celebrating special occasions.

The general average price point right now seems to be $12.32 (because apparently no one likes to end with a five or a zero anymore like God intended) and I don’t know how long that will last. The original price is $17.99 but we really wanted to offer it at a discount right from the beginning and someone actually listened to us.

You can find it here on Amazon, here on Barnes & Noble, here at LifeWay, here at Faith Gateway, and here at Target.

You can also find it inside actual bookstores if you are a person who still walks in a bookstore.

Thank you so much for your support for Everyday Holy and please spread the word, write an online review if you feel so led and just know that I am so thankful for every bit of it.

With much love and three espressos,

Melanie

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Comments

  1. I preordered it on Amazon and am so excited about it!! You’re the bomb dot com!!!

  3. I pre-ordered the book and I can’t wait to get it. So happy to know Richard’s testimony. 😉 We would be besties. Congratulations and thank you for all the smiles your words have brought me over the years.

  4. Cannot wait to get this for myself and everyone I know. And I wish I could get a print of Richard’s Third Espresso – Hilarious! Thank you for another awesome book! ??????

    • Those question marks are hands clapping emojis, not questioning whether it’s a great book. Now I need a 3rd espresso!

    • I feel fairly certain that they’ll tell us how we can get our own print of Richard, right? Pretty please someone verify that they’ll feel the need and put us out of our misery??

  6. I just read the first day and loved it! I’ve been needing something to boost my daily quiet time and I’m so glad that I’ve chosen your new devotional! Thank you, Melanie!

  7. Mine should be here today and I can’t wait to get into it! I, too, would like a print of Richard’s 3rd espresso. Would be great on my desk.

  8. This is your one book I was sure I wouldn’t be interested in reading. I’m sure you can pretty much guess why. I don’t like how one religion thinks it is better than another and leaves no room for appreciation or empathy for another plus I can’t stand religious platitudes. But then that first title got me, “Melanie Doesn’t Share Bed”, so I had to go see what was up on the Amazon preview and now your book is in my cart. Congratulations on what is looking like a very real book about being a good human being.

  9. I love Everyday Holy. I read one a night before bed. I have started journaling what I am thankful for God everyday and I too have fallen in love with Richard. Can hardly wait to get the notebook that has his picture on that! Thank you for your writings and your blogs! You make me laugh and cry, (in a good way). You make me think and that is definitely a good thing!

    Have a great day!

  10. I never post comments, however, today I feel compelled to say, I think we are friends. I just sent a friend of mine a text asking if we could use your devotional as a bible study guide for this bible study we keep saying we are going to start doing. I had to stop myself from saying; “hey my friend Melanie wrote this devotional we should use it!”, because we’ve never met! ? Needless to say, thank you for putting yourself out in the world. For sharing your heart with the other women and for making it seem like we are all just friends sitting around a table talking about life.

    You may not know how much it means to those who read, listen and laugh with you (and Sophie) on a regular basis, but you are making an impact on those around you. Thank you.

    • DITTO. I feel pretty confident that if Sophie and Melanie were to give me their cell phone numbers we’d be best friends. Not like Gully-Level, but just a step shy of that. 😉
      It seriously does mean a lot to us that you continue doing what you’re doing. I thank God that you decided to write a book after all and praise Him when He prompts y’all do another!

  12. I just spit my coffee out on my keyboard reading about John and how he accidentally ate two doughnuts. HA!!!
    I have been seriously excited about this book since you announced it was coming. I preordered it, so mine is already in the mail, based on my stalking of the Amazon app. I didn’t grow up in the church, and even though I’ve been a believer since age 20 (now I’m 37), I still don’t understand church-ese like “devotional”. I’ve bought a few books that have these shorts snippits of text, some scripture, plus usually a prayer written out, but I’ve never felt like one was readable/understandable/relatable/something. Like, “What the heck did I just read!? And how does that apply to me right now? I have no idea.” But I know that Everyday Holy will be different because your writing is so relatable and honest and fresh. It’s not Holier Than Though-esque. And as one of your biggest fans (and Boo Mama!!), I want to read everything you write, listen to everything you say, etc. You help me understand what it means to be a Christian. In the Real Person way. (And also what it means to be southern as I hail from WI and now live in Dallas.) It’s ok that I’m a little obsessed about curling my eyelashes and using my mascara (It’s So Big!! y’all have got to try it!!), a huge college football fan, and also adore Jesus and want God directing my life. Y’all don’t veer from Scripture, but make the rest of living a Christian life understandable to me and so I’m SOOOOO grateful you wrote a devotional for adults. (Come on, Sophie, do us adults next time!) THANK YOU!

  13. MELANIE!!
    I pre-ordered Everyday Holy and it’s supposed to arrive today, per the Oracle of Amazon. Thank you so much for telling us more about the story of Richard 🙂 I will smile every time I look at him, knowing he is a kindred spirit….well he favors espresso, for me it’s Coke Zero, but I digress. Can’t wait to start this devotional – I LOVED Church of the Small Things, so I’m excited about having 100 days more of that with this devotional. ~Darla (from the farm in the middle of nowhere Southern Illinois)

  14. When you started to write books, did you ever think your books would make it to Target? What was the “Oh my, I think ive made it as a writer,” moment for you?

  15. I pre-ordered and can’t wait to get mine in the mail SOON!! Love all your books- thank you!!

  16. OK, I am on my way to order this, and probably two more for my college aged daughters, but I had to come back from Amazon (otherwise known as one of the things I thank God for daily in my thankful journal) to share, that on the very day your book is released, Amazon Prime has 23 used to sell. And that made me smile. Because really? It just released today. I am sure they are books that were for reviews or editorial copies or whatever… it still made me smile- ha! 😉

  17. So excited for this book release today. Not exactly sure why, but I just kind of teared up reading your blog post. I am a long-time reader and fan of yours, and I think I enjoy your books and your podcasts so much simply because they are about those everyday, small moments that make up our lives. You have helped me accept myself for who I am, enjoy my life just the way it is, and see God’s fingerprints all over it. And the fact that you are hilarious, witty, and have a great fashion sense doesn’t hurt. (You wouldn’t believe how often my husband has asked me where I got an item of clothing and I have replied, “Melanie told me to buy that. It cost fifteen dollars.”) Thanks so much for opening up your life to others. You have made a difference in mine!

  19. Mine just got delivered from Amazon! It is just beautiful to look at and touch. Can’t wait to read it.

  20. I just received my book in the mail today from Amazon and have already started it. I have been so excited to get it and know that I will love it as much as I have loved each of your other books. Thanks so much for your writing and inspiration. I can’t wait to get my journal and I thank you for this free gift.

  21. Lucky for me my book came today which I ordered in Feb.
    But the journel was missing. I’m assuming it must come separate.

  22. I pre-ordered last month and filled out the form for the journal, but I just realized I never got a confirmation. I went back to fill out the form again, but there’s no link. Did I miss my chance?

  23. As soon as I read Jens name I wondered how Lincoln is…….I’ve asked a couple times before…….can you give us an update??!

    • That should have been an ! not a ? after I wrote LOVE IT … just too excited I can’t type right !

  25. I received my copy in the mail today! My 16 year old daughter saw it laying on the counter and snatched it up and said she was using it. I guess we will share!

  26. My pre-ordered copy is scheduled for delivery tomorrow! Like lots of others here, I am dying for a copy of Richard’s Third Espresso! It is beyond perfect for my office. I study sleep deprivation, shiftwork, caffeine, etc. Love it!

  27. I ordered my book yesterday and can’t wait for it to arrive! P.S. Any chance the owl print will be for sale on her site?

  28. I couldn’t order this fast enough for my sister. She just got a breast cancer diagnosis, and this will be good reading for her. God’s timing is perfect, and yours is darn close. Thanks Melanie!

  29. I pre-ordered the book and began day one today! I love it!! I came into my classroom and wrote on the board, “There will be Peace in the Valley!” One a difference a good devotion makes!

    God Bless you Mel!
    LBW

  30. I’m sitting here in the quite stillness of the morning cracking open your book, realizing after a moment that I first wanted to meet you via your blog. I am so delighted to have discovered the story behind Richard. I cannot stop smiling and am quickly fond of him as well. I am on an annual pilgrimage with my two “Soul Sisters” one of which gave us each a copy of your book. We started our road trip with your Day 1 nodding our heads in agreement and recognition in your story of “God is not Old.” We’re so excited to delve in further. Thank you for sharing. Through the encouragement of my “sisters” it is definately through the little moments that our Big God has been revealed to us. We just need to keep our tired eyes wide open and in a short while one us mentions, “Look, there He is.” “Ah yes, I see Him!” as our eyes meet in this shared recognition. God is so good-thanks for the reminder Richard-I’m heading for that third cuppa coffee. 🙂

  31. Melanie, I picked up your devotional this past weekend at Barnes & Noble and oh, my goodness. I couldn’t love it more!!! This is amazing and your words are so tender, real, and divinely appointed by God. I just know He is saying, “Well done, faithful servant!”
    It’s the first thing I pick up each morning and it’s like a bag of peanut butter M&M’s…it’s so good that I don’t want to put it down. I keep wanting to read one more day! But because I’ve had a lot of practice over the years of working on my self-control, as of now, I’m doing well at limiting myself to one devotional a day. 🙂 Hugs from Iowa xoxo