Human(Kind): How Reclaiming Human Worth and Embracing Radical Kindness Will Bring Us Back Together

From a talented storyteller, peacemaker, and advocate comes a powerful invitation to bridge the canyons of difference and disunity that exist all around us. A talented storyteller and peacemaker asks- Can kindness kindle a revolution? "Ashlee teaches by example how to live with courage and compassion, and I believe her perspective and voice will be deeply meaningful to so many people."-Shauna Niequist Long before polls, protests, and political issues divided us, we were joined by a humanness that God consideredvery good. Created in his image, we reflected the height and depth of God's loving-kindness, but our discord has blinded us to theimago Deiin us all. In this compelling collection of essays, Ashlee Eiland shares her story of being a black woman living on two sides of the fence- as the token black girl in majority-white spaces and as the "whitewashed" black girl in majority-black spaces. As she discovers her own unique worth through these recollections, Ashlee learns that extending radical kindness toward every person-regardless of social status, political views, or religious beliefs-gives us hope and rekindles our common humanity. With grace and humility,Human(Kind)invites us to chart our own formative journeys and recognize our inherent value, cultivating empathy so we may once again see the image of God shining brightly within one another.

About the Author :
Ashlee Eiland serves as the formation and preaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church. She shares God's message of redemption and reconciliation at conferences, colleges, and events around the country. Ashlee earned a BA in international relations from the University of Southern California and completed her master's in organizational leadership at Judson University. She blogs regularly and has contributed articles to Relevant magazine. Ashlee and her husband, Delwin, have three children and live in Grand Rapids.

Review :
“Human(Kind) will change the way you engage with every single person from this point forward. Ashlee Eiland brilliantly uses stories and unpacks Scripture to guide you toward rediscovering the good and upholding the dignity of all. This book is a must-read!”—Steve Carter, author of This Invitational Life “This book is a feast Ashlee invites us to share, seasoned generously with thoughts to stimulate our understanding of one another, images to awaken our hearts, and wisdom to nourish our souls.”—Carey and Toni Nieuwhof, Connexus Church “Through her deeply personal stories and thoughtful reflections on the world she currently exists in and the brighter, more just future she is actively cocreating, Ashlee shows us the often messy but worthy way of redemption and reconciliation.”—Liz Forkin Bohannon, founder of Sseko Designs “Ashlee draws on a range of personal experiences to explore how life fashions identity. She reflects on big themes, from the love of family to the brutality of racism and the search for belonging, and calls us to greater awareness of the stories and systems still shaping our lives and communities…Ashlee leads us toward a grace-filled vision of humanity in which we see the imago Dei in ourselves and one another.”—Jo Saxton, author of The Dream of You “Through her beautiful gift of storytelling, Ashlee Eiland compels you to slow down, to breathe and take time, to enter into story after story, to probe into your own story, and, most important, to reflect on what it means to both believe and follow Christ.”—Rev. Eugene Cho, author of Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk “Ashlee authentically and vulnerably invites us to explore the good, the difficult, and the seemingly mundane moments of our lives for God’s purposes and the good of humankind.”—Megan Fate Marshman, author of SelfLess  “With vivid storytelling, uncommon wisdom, and breathtaking empathy, she helps us notice daily invitations into a kinder and braver way of being human.”—Aaron Niequist, author of The Eternal Current “Ashlee teaches by example how to live with courage and compassion, and I believe her perspective and voice will be deeply meaningful to so many people.”—Shauna Niequist, New York Times bestselling author of Present Over Perfect   “With a distinct voice filled with depth and grace, [Ashlee] inspires and challenges people of all races and backgrounds to take one more step toward humankindness.”—Austin Channing Brown, New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here “In her revealing and enthralling debut . . . [Ashlee Eiland] expounds on themes such as sacrifice, honor, respect, acceptance, gratitude, rejection, commitment, and loss. . . . Readers looking to cultivate more empathy—toward others and toward themselves—will enjoy Eiland’s wise testament.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)