One year ago, we released our very first book.

One year ago, Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real-life Engagement was launched into the world, landing on bookstore shelves and family rooms and in book clubs and women’s church circles. You shared your excitement with us (and we had SO MUCH FUN celebrating together!):

We recognized that we all long for meaningful relationships, the Colossians 3:14 kind that fulfills our desire for unity and connection with God, our friends, and our community. We asked together, “Where do we start?” And we responded that Craving Connection is a journey with (in)courage writers sharing real-life stories, practical Scripture application, and connection challenges that will encourage you to:

• Embrace the desire God has given each of us for connection.
• Invest in meaningful relationships, right where God has you.
• Become the friend you wish you had.

We saw you bring the book into summer book studies, sharing your pictures and stories on Instagram.

We saw you join the live conversations with several of the book’s authors as they shared more from their chapters’ story.

We saw you read along in our blog book club as we journeyed through five weeks of challenges.

We saw you illustrate your faith alongside Craving Connection, and discover more about your friendships through your art.

We watched in awe and wonder as God took the message of Craving Connection and gave it wings. It’s been a year of Craving Connection, and we want to celebrate with your stories. Because you are the ones who have taken the message of this book and let it sink in soul-deep, impacting your friendships, your neighborhoods, and your relationship with the Lord.

Check out these words from several sweet Amazon reviewers:

We live in a world with more “friends” and less “connection” than ever. This book hits at the heart of the matter with encouraging — easy — things to help us recalibrate. The (in)courage website has always been my favorite online place for encouragement and inspiration. Now it feels like they’ve come for coffee at my house every morning. I love the layout of the book and the ease in which I’ve begun to incorporate the principles. It doesn’t feel like another thing I have to do, instead this book is helping me shed my to-dos and find freedom in being. Definitely a book that you’ll want to have on hand to give to friends!
~Edie Melson

How many of us feel all alone, even in the midst of many people? “Craving Connection” is filled with 30 readings, and challenges to push us to make a connection, a connection with God, a connection with a friend or a connection with one’s community.
~KI

I wouldn’t have this friend today if I never picked up this book. This book encouraged me and successfully inspired me to take risks and take the first step. I now have four new unlikely friends that the Lord has done amazing things with in my life. We are very close and I owe it to this tool that the Lord used. I wouldn’t have gained any of them had this book never made it to me. I have always struggled with people pleasing. I always examined my text messages heavily and read into others’ words. I am a very confident girl, but I this is where I fall. The Lord used this as a tool to completely change me.
~Michelle Ruger

I have been desiring a book like this, but didn’t even realize it… It’s true that we all crave connection and that we don’t always realize what we need to do to create it, or to maintain it. Craving Connection gives you ideas, as well as challenges, to help you understand what it is you’re truly looking for and to send you on your way toward developing healthy relationships.
~J. Hart

Those are just the stories from one small section of the Internet. There are countless others out there, in real life and in real spaces. And if you haven’t yet read Craving Connection, we suggest two things:

First, watch the book trailer below. It offers a great picture of the heart behind the book:

Then grab a copy for you (and one for a friend too!) for only $14.99 at DaySpring. It’s also available at your local LifeWay store, and really anywhere books are sold. Invite your girlfriend (or neighbor, pastor’s wife, sister…) over for hot cocoa, and choose a chapter or two to read through together.

We know it’s been a whole year, but we are FAR from tired of hearing your Craving Connection stories! Keep ’em coming. If you’ve read or studied Craving Connection, we would love to hear how it’s impacted your heart and life! Share your story today in the comments.  

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