I remember the first time I read Stacey’s confession … her words painted a picture of exactly how I felt!
Lord, I feel like I need to be amazing. The trouble is, I’m fresh out of amazing.
Honestly, it rings as true today as it did almost five years ago. Monday, I sent an email to the Prayers for Girls subscribers. This was the first paragraph:
I wanted to start this email all peppy and enthusiastic but the truth is, I am exhausted. Not just physically tired … but in every way drained. Over the past few weeks, life has just been hard.
And I’m not alone. In August, I heard about two more marriages teetering on divorce. A dear friend’s husband started chemo. Another friend found out she’d have to have a major surgery to {hopefully} prevent her cancer from spreading. Another precious friend lost her husband far too early.
But it’s not just those big things that can leave us feeling exhausted, weary, and totally out of amazing. Some days just managing the chaos of laundry, meals, and homework can be enough to push us over the edge. We live in a frenzied world with a constant expectation to do all the incredible Pinterest-y stuff and wear all the awesome Instagram-y clothes and have the fabulous Facebook-y lives and, y’all, we can’t. I can’t. I just can’t.
Enter Stacey who graciously allowed me to read an early copy of Fresh Out of Amazing and offer my endorsement. I read it on my iPad and I cried. Because I needed the third chapter — “She’s Amazing and I’m Not.”
If you could see inside my heart, you’d know I am constantly battling with feelings of insecurity, uncertainty, and inadequacy. There are days when it paralyzes me.
As I read Stacey’s words, I heard the Voice of the One who made me amazing, who calls me beloved, who says I am His. Stacey writes, “All that I want to be, God already is. All that I want to do, he has already done.” (p. 65) And I heard the Lover of my soul whisper, “It’s true. I Am. And it is finished. Trust me.”
I still wrestle with those feelings. And I watch my daughter wrestle with them too. And I’m guessing you wrestle with them too. But, y’all, there is hope and there is truth! We aren’t called to be amazing … we’re called to follow an amazing God!
If I could, I’d give every woman I know a copy of this book. When I sat down to write my endorsement for the book, it was easy. This is what I said and still say,
Stacey is the friend you call when you are at the end of yourself and you need someone to speak equal parts truth and grace over you. Within these pages you will find a kind companion who knows the heartache life can bring. Stacey is a generous guide who uses Scripture and story to point us back to the God who captures our tears and draws us near.
So, if you’re feeling fresh out of amazing, if the tears keep coming, if you need to draw near, may I urge you to get this book. It’s beautiful and rich and so full of truth and grace. By the end, you’ll call Stacey a friend as well.
And, since I was so excited about the book, I managed to pre-order two copies and then Stacey so sweetly sent me a copy, I now have those two copies I ordered to give away!! And entering is super easy — comment below and share a verse that’s encouraged you lately.
xo,
Teri Lynne
*** GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Congratulations to Stephanie & LaDonna on winning copies of this incredible book! ***
Giveaway is open through 9 pm CST Monday, September 5. Winners will be notified by email on Tuesday, September 6.
Want to go ahead and order your copy? Good plan! You can get it on Amazon, at LifeWay, and all other major book sellers. Here is a link to order on Amazon. [affiliate] Fresh Out of Amazing: Opening Your Heart to God’s Unexpected Invitation
Sounds like a wonderful book! A verse that has impacted me just today .. 1Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” My study commentary described faith is the foundation and content of God’s message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is action. I am challenged today to seek God’s filling love so I may fulfill His “love work” that He has set out for me to accomplish!
I’m really truly lost without you. Thank you friend!
xoxo,
Stacey
That is so mutual!
xoxo
TL
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!! My favorite verse!
It sounds great. I truly feel like a failure a lot of days. I know that is a lie but still satan tries to get at me.
2Thessalonians 3:3- But the Lord is faithful, who will establish and guard you from the evil one.
I love this verse. 🙂
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. Romans 15:13 Amplified
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When yo walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” Isaiah 43:1-2.
This is so encouraging to know that regardless of my circumstances that He is with me. All the time, even the difficult times.
I’m definitely in a “fresh out” season. In the midst of my questioning and waiting on the Lord, I’ve managed to squeeze in time in the book of Micah. The Lord used the old words in such new ways. “… when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8
I would have lost heart had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord. Wait, I say, wait on the Lord. – Ps 27:3
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
He is the reason I am where I am today. He gave me strength to survive growing up through very difficult times and now he gives me strength to thrive in life.
Love this verse
I identify with just about everything in this book. If I were to win I’d share it.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
[23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
A friend reminded me of this verse this week. I need this reminder frequently as I care for my Mom. This book sounds great.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That precious Grace is my strength!
Oh, how I can relate! Since I’m task-oriented, I can get overwhelmed easily. Then God reminds me of His promise in Is. 26:3, which says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” When I trust God to help me, I can rest in his perfect peace.”
This sounds amazing! Would love to win & share!