God's Guest List: Welcoming Those Who Influence Our Lives - Hardcover

"Macomber's storytelling sometimes yields a tear, at other times a smile."-- Newport News, VA, Daily Press "Macomber offers a very human look at three women who uproot their lives to follow their true destiny."-- Booklist on "Changing Habits" "Macomber is an adept storyteller . . . many will be entertained by this well-paced story about four women finding happiness and fulfillment through their growing friendship."-- Publishers Weekly on "The Shop on Blossom Street" ." . . an insightful look at relationships through the interaction of four women."-- Midwest Book Review on "Thursdays at Eight" "Debbie Macomber's gift for understanding the souls of women--their relationships, their values, their lives--is at its peak here."-- BookPage on "Between Friends" "Macomber is known for her honest portrayals of ordinary women in small-town America, and this tale cements her position as an icon of the genre."-- Publishers Weekly on "16 Lighthouse Road" "As always, Macomber draws rich, engaging characters."-- Publishers Weekly on "Thursdays at Eight" "This is a useful, inspiring study of an underpracticed art, written by one who has received, given, and witnessed generosity."-- Publishers Weekly on "One Simple Act"

Who is on God's "guest list" for your life . . . and why? The answers may surprise you.Through touching true stories and inspiring insight Debbie Macomber takes readers on a journey to discover the shaping influence others have on us and the power we have to shape and influence those whose paths cross ours. Each of us have "influencers" that have affected our lives--some from a distance, some through word or deed, some through example, be it good or bad. Often we don't even recognize the deep impact others have had and how God has used them to shape us into who we are. By pausing to recognize these influences we begin to grasp how God's guest list had a purpose far beyond what we imagined. We begin to see the seeds of influence that grew into our personal values and character. In some people God invites into our lives, we see only what appears to be painful or negative influence. We bear the scars of disappointment, hurt, betrayal, and pain. Here Macomber redirects our attention, opening our eyes to how those experiences prompted strength, resilience, resolve, decisions, and choices about how we would change and who we would become. In other instances, God has surprised us with just the people at just the right time to support, teach, lead, or love us, but perhaps we haven't quite recognized God's timing and work through these "guests." But perhaps the greatest treasure this book holds is the power to grasp our own power to influence others, and even to anticipate what lives we have yet to touch. In the tradition of "How to Win Friends and Influence People, "Macomber casts a vision to seize every opportunity to be a positive and faithful influence on others. With this realization comes the willingness and anticipation to live with the door of our lives wide open to greet each new life God brings across the threshold. "God's Guest List "is filled with true stories and rich insight that will forever change how you see the people in your life.