The Lipstick Gospel: A Story About Finding God in Heartbreak, the Sistine Chapel, and the Perfect Cappuccino

When a young college girl reads the words written in lipstick on the mirror in her sorority house, she ponders the message—-curious of its thought and meaning.After a heartbreaking break-up with her boyfriend, she and two besties head to Spain for a work-study program where she encounters God in the most miraculous places in Europe.Reality hits once she’s back on campus as she falls back into old habits as feelings of uncertainty creep back in. But when her best friend invites her to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica over Christmas break, she signs up—-not really sure of the plans or what it will be like. Then there in the cool mountain air within the rainforest, her team works in a small village where poverty is the norm but also where love, friendship, and kindness reign. In this village she finds that God is not limited by time, status, language or country. There, she finds God reaching out meeting her right where she is——waiting patiently for her to ask all the questions——wanting to take away all the pain, emptiness, and confusion and throw those far away.And when it comes time for her to graduate, instead of the job in journalism she’d planned——God takes her on another journey, this time to Ghana. It’s there among the wilderness, and the dust that people flock to hear about God, to be prayed over—-all while opening their hearts to him, inviting him into their lives—-changing them forever from the inside out. It’s there, she’s reminded of that verse written in lipstick on the mirror. And she knows what God wants her to do——share her story—-how she came to know God in a real and personal way. And a memoir called The Lipstick Gospel is born.This is the perfect book for any young girl with feelings of uncertainty, doubt, emptiness or with questions about who God really is. He’s been waiting for you to ask that very thing!

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible pleasure of diving into the beautifully inspiring story of Stephanie May Wilson, as told in her book debut, The Lipstick Gospel. I literally could not put the book down until I had soaked up every word on every page. I took in the whole story in only a day and the only negative feedback I have is that I wish there was more to read. I couldn't get enough! Stephanie writes a blog that I have been following for the past couple of years, and through it, she has changed my life. Her storytelling ability, along with her sweet spirit and heartwarming hope, makes for a very honest and insightful experience for anyone who stumbles upon her blog. I'm not even sure anymore how I became turned on to her, but I know that for as long as she's writing, I'll be reading.In The Lipstick Gospel, Stephanie shares her struggles, triumphs, doubts, revelations, and her journey to find God all over the world. The first pages recount her party-filled days as a atheistic sorority girl caught up in the confusion the world had offered her. She then takes the reader along with her through her Colorado college experience -- a heart-wrenching breakup, an inspiring study abroad trip, her adjustment once back home in "the real world" and her first (and accidental) mission trip. She's found God in the brushstrokes of Michelangelo, in rich cups of Spanish coffee, on Costa Rican mountain tops, and in the wild worship of Ghanians. I invite you to pour a warm cup of coffee, wrap yourself up in a blanket, and crack open her book so you can get to know her precious heart's testimony of God's faithfulness in her life. I promise you won't be disappointed.

I first knew about Steph though her podcasts and quickly got this book after hearing about it. I love how raw and unfiltered it is. As a 25 year old going through some hard times it was definitely refreshing to hear from someone who I look up too who has also gone through some similar stuff. I loved the book so much I got some for my sister and close friends!

So so in love with this book!! It's absolutely incredible, very refreshing and reassuring! I'm a new member of a sorority and I've found it particularly difficult to really find God through Greek Life. I, at one point, felt that Greek Life was the complete opposite of everything God and Christian. I felt out of place and alone - I was the only one not doing what everyone else was doing. But through this book, I've realized just how important of a role He plays in my life and that I can be not only the best version of myself, but the happiest version of myself with Him by my side. Highly recommend to anyone who is struggling to find God in their life, read this book!

Wonderful, wonderful book! I have loved Stephanie Wilson's blog for years now and kept putting off getting the book because I wasn't sure how it would speak to me in my walk with God. One evening I downloaded the free version she had available at the time and loved what I was reading so much that I had to purchase the book so that I could have a copy to write in and reread. I also loved it so much I had to support Stephanie by buying one. Definitely plan on giving this book as gifts to friends so that I can share this story! It is short but so sweet and filled with so much encouragement! The Lord is definitely using Stephanie to spread His goodness.

Quick and easy read! Warning: Emphasis on travel stories that will make you wish you could hop on a plane for a getaway. Beautiful detail and well-told testimony that is fitting for young high school-college aged females. I passed it along to a friend who might benefit from the message and she loves it as well. It has relatable feelings from breakups, comparison struggles, and the search for something more. Loved it.

Stephanie is a beautiful writer. Her story is compelling and relatable because it is written with truth and conviction. I found so many parallels between her story and my own, and was inspired to turn around my life, and make the changes she did on her way to becoming a follower of Jesus. I am so thankful Stephanie wrote this book, It is both fun to read and provides a comforting source of wisdom, like an older sister who has also made mistakes and learned how to work through them in becoming a true Christian. After reading, I felt like we could be best friends.

Amazing book! Recommend it for any gal out there trying to make sense of it all.

Ich bin begeistert und habe es bereits zweimal gelesen. Steph nimmt den Leser mit in ihre Welt und erzählt mit einer Leichtigkeit, die einem das Herz wärmt. Sie erzählt über ihren Weg zu Gott, über die Fragen, denen sie sich stellen musste und über ihre Erfahrungen auf dem Weg.