Emily Lex - Freely and Lightly: Gods Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence

Contents

Freely and Lightly blends a palette of depth, beauty, simplicity, real life, and rich truths to create an artful and compelling invitation to truly rest and enjoy refreshment for your soul.

Marilyn Vancil, author of Self to Lose, Self to Find: Using the Enneagram to Uncover Your True, God-Gifted Self

We dont deserve Freely and Lightly , but we so desperately need this quiet masterpiece. In a time when life can be loud and abrasive, Im so very grateful for Emilys gentle, lovely, and profound words.

Knox McCoy, author of All Things Reconsidered

I wholeheartedly believe this: The more you believe God, the more confident you will become. Emilys relatable words and gentle encouragement to let go of self-reliance and to trust who God is and who he made us to be is exactly what women of all ages need to hear.

Alli Worthington, author of Standing Strong , business coach, and cofounder of Called Creatives

In a culture conditioned to turn toward the loudest voice in the room, Emily Lex shows us the spiritual heft of a gentle soul. Freely and Lightly is an invitation to lay down our burdens, trading the trendy, self-comfort sort of rest for a deep gulp of living water. This book is fresh air and freedom.

Shannan Martin, author of The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free

When I celebrated a huge milestone in my life several years ago, Emily Lex sent me a small watercolor of flowers she painted to say congratulations. Every time I look at that small framed painting on my desk, I feel seen and loved. Now we all get an entire book of paintings from Emily! I hope this book will do for you what that painting did for me. With simple beauty and deep faith, Freely and Lightly is the book we need when we feel overwhelmed, overlooked, and undone. Im so grateful to Emily for this kind work of art.

Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing

This is my new favorite book to gift! Emilys watercolor art and hopeful insights offer grace and peace to all who read Freely and Lightly . You are going to love this little book.

Jessica N. Turner, bestselling author of The Fringe Hours and Stretched Too Thin

Freely and Lightly is the friend who understands your weary soul, holds your hand, and walks you back toward the truth that brings true rest. Through vulnerable storytelling and exquisite artistry, Emily invites us to remember what it feels like to twirlto be who we already are and to know the delight of our Father. Join me in reading and gifting this book again and again.

Nicole Zasowski, marriage and family therapist and author of From Lost to Found

This book is sheer truth, goodness, and beautythe hallmark trifecta of great art. The words and watercolors Emily has graced us with in these pages call to mind a deeper, more necessary truth than we normally see in the cacophony of lifethat Christ reveals himself in the daily delights.

Tsh Oxenreider, author of Shadow & Light , At Home in the World , and Notes from a Blue Bike

Cozy up in your favorite chair. Emilys winsome storytelling will draw you in, and her grace-filled insights and delightful artistry will cause you to linger long in these pages. Youll be glad you did.

Ruth Chou Simons, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Beholding and Becoming and GraceLaced , artist, and founder of gracelaced.com

As I read Emilys relatable, kind words, the tension in my shoulders relaxed, and I felt greater permission to be myself. Freely and Lightly is aptly named, offering a buoy for the tired soul.

Kendra Adachi, New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and host of The Lazy Genius podcast

Emily has been bringing beauty into my life for many years now through both her art and her words. She has a unique way of pointing me back to Jesus over and over again in a style that leaves me feeling refreshed. Freely and Lightly is exactly what the world needs right now to help us fight the discouragement and disillusionment all around us. I know you will turn each page and feel your soul growing lighter and your faith becoming stronger.

Melanie Shankle, New York Times bestselling author and speaker

As you read this book, you will feel your friend Emilys invitation to rest in all that Jesus has to offer. Her words are soothing, her stories are inviting, and her illustrations are beautiful. Grab a blanket, a cup of coffee, and this book, and prepare to be encouraged!

Jamie Ivey, bestselling author and podcast host

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Passion Translation. Copyright 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Verses marked T HE V OICE are taken from The Voice. Copyright 2012 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Verses marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Verses marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Verses marked HCSB have been taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Verses marked ESV are taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Published in association with Illuminate Literary Agency

Cover and interior design by Connie Gabbert

Freely and Lightly

Text and artwork copyright 2021 by Emily Lex

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-8037-1 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-7369-8038-8 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Record is available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020025791.