One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"...definitely more than another self-help or feel-better book."
If you were given the news today
that you had only one month to live, what would you think about more
. . . living life to the fullest and reconciling
your relationships or complaining that life is unfair and you don’t
deserve this illness? Most of us, if we’re honest, live life in survival
mode . . . not wanting to rock the boat or disturb the peace. Day to day
is tough enough. Enthusiasm and passion are sucked out of our daily existence.
“One Month to Live,” is a very interactive guide in which you’re
exhorted to participate by signing the “The One-Month-To-Live Challenge," which
simply states, "I commit with God's strength to live the next thirty
days as if they are my last so I can experience life to the full!"
Based around four principles, Kerry and Chris pen a poignant portrayal
of embracing your mortality for the freedom to live a satisfying life without
regret. This mindset should be at the top of everybody’s bucket list:
to Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly and Leave Boldly. The
two introductory quotes at the beginning of each chapter are both inspiring
and thought-provoking. The Shooks write conversationally, thus creating
a reader-friendly environment to soak up their Biblically-based stories
and insights.
The birth story detailed in the introduction of this thirty day challenge
is both interesting and God-driven. The “Make it Count Moments” and “Make
it Last for Life” sections are filled with “sharper than a
pen knife” questions which truthfully cannot be answered in a quick
glimpse.
Reading this book flooded my heart and mind with memories of my mom’s
18 month battle with cancer. How I was so unprepared for the revelation
and how I wallowed in the disappointing news. And now, six years later,
I stand looking in the mirror wondering if I’m satisfied just marking
time.
Though "One Month to Live" is filled with scripture and inspirational
stories, you don’t have to be a Christ-follower or a life coach to
understand that living to the fullest is an adventure you don’t want
to miss!
In the first chapter called “Living the Dash,” Kerry and Chris
shared the bottom line with these words: “If we all lived as
if we had one month left on this earth, we would each spend our days differently,
in ways unique to us, and yet I believe we would all experience more fulfilling
lives that could leave a legacy for eternity.”
“One Month to Live,” is definitely more than another self-help
or feel-better book. Don’t hesitate to pick up a copy and take the
challenge with no regrets!