Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life

In this inspiring manual, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony and his wife Lauren Dungy (Uncommon Marriage) provide advice on living out God’s plan. Inspired by Jesus’s entreaties to help those in need, the Dungys started taking in foster children about 20 years ago and have cared for dozens of kids since then, housing as many as 15 at a time. The authors share stories and lessons they’ve gleaned along the way about how to “fulfill the specific service role that God has in store for you.” Touting the merits of perseverance, the authors recount how they committed to raising their adopted son Jordan even after a doctor suggested they return him because he suffered from a difficult to treat disorder, reckoning that God had brought him into their lives for a reason. The Dungys discuss using prayer as their central tool for managing their large household and recommend that readers “learn to reflexively pray” in the course of day-to-day life. The authors have a knack for distilling their wisdom into pithy one-liners, such as “We can’t bash and bless someone at the same time” and “God doesn’t make mistakes.” Cogent advice and heartwarming anecdotes make this sure to please aspiring “Hall of Faithers.” (Aug.)