I have been ruminating over this whole I HAVE TO PLEASE the world thing. Especially in December.
I swore two years ago that I would be in Hawaii for the next 10 Christmases. That obviously didn’t happen, and I’m here once again, trying to make everyone happy.
{To my mother and mother-in-law who might be reading this I LOVE YOU and will be at your house for Christmas and not in Hawaii. I might just need to lead off with a glass of wine to settle the nerves.}
So, yesterday we all released on another from trying to control each other’s moods and making cookies for everyone including the church door greeter. And today, I have the privilege of giving back to you a book written just for YOU! Just for ME! Just for us!
In Emily Freeman”s own words, Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life is about this:
You’re strong. You’re responsible. You’re good. But as day fades to dusk, you begin to feel the familiar fog of anxiety, the weight and pressure of holding it together and of longing left unmet. Good girls sometimes feel that the Christian life means doing hard work with a sweet disposition. We tend to focus only on the things we can handle, our disciplined lives, and our unshakable good moods.
But what would happen if we let grace pour out boundless acceptance into our worn-out hearts and undo us? If we dared to talk about the ways we hide, our longing to be known, and the fear in the knowing?
In Grace for the Good Girl, Emily Freeman invites you to release your tight hold on that familiar, try-hard life and lean your weight heavy into the love of Jesus. With an open hand, a whimsical style, and a heart bent brave toward adventure, Emily encourages you to move from your own impossible expectations toward the God who has graciously, miraculously, and lovingly found you.
I have the privilege of giving away 3 copies of her amazing book to my community. To YOU!
To enter, leave a comment in the comment section about how you will be “letting go” and resting during this busy holiday season. I will pick three winners at random at 9pm Pacific time on Thursday night so leave your comment before then. I’ll post the winners on my Facebook community page so if you are not a part of my community yet, please head on over and “like” it.
Emily’s blog, Chatting at the Sky. Click here.
Emily’s twitter. Click here.
Download a free chapter of Grace for the Good Girl. Click here.
To buy Grace for the Good Girl. Click here.
My Facebook community page. Click here.
Leave a comment about how you are resting this season to be entered to win a copy of this book.
I am letting go of the idea of what our Christmas was going to be like this year. Last year was the best Christmas ever. We didn’t do much, just went sledding and relaxed all day. I had this idea that this Christmas was going to be the same until my estranged brother and his family wanted to spend Christmas at our house with us. Since Christmas is about family I am welcoming them in and even cooking (I don’t know how to cook!!…ok maybe I will order something…).
Btw I love what your dad wrote. Too sweet!
I am letting go of the desire for outdoor lights. It just isn’t going to happen & I am going to be okay with that – I am even selling the tub of lights that we have.
I am venturing to the mall to shop for gifts on just one occasion this holiday season. It will be this Sunday. Really!
Christmas is hard for me. So is Thanksgiving. I’m usually a mess of emotions because I want to be with my parents but know I can’t be. And I am struggling against this need to celebrate Christmas the way others do and also understanding I can not afford and do not need so much. So I am just praying a lot. And allowing myself to feel however I need to feel. And then praying more.
This may sound wrong, but to let go this season I’m try to attend the ‘seasonal’ events in my community. Usually I too busy with decorating & shopping to just STOP and enjoy a Christmas show or two. So, this year I made a promise to myself to attend these events, even if I’m going by myself. My plan is working out so far.
I’m letting go of trying to have my house decorated perfectly, going to a million parties because “it’s just what you do during the holidays,” and having perfect corners on my wrapped gifts (because how it looks is sometimes more than the gift itself). Focusing on the more important things like the miracle that is Jesus’ birth, how wise men followed a star for a long time and didn’t get weary, and sharing the hope that is found in this blessed holiday season.
I have been doing all the right things/work and turning it all over to God, but still, we only have been able to come up with half of our property taxes due on Friday. So the rest will be late with an interest fee…that really shuts down buying gifts too. My college kids are coming home and I so want to get them things they NEED. So today, I am letting go of all the ways i think it is supposed to look and be this Christmas Homecoming. I want to LOVE them and receive Jesus’ grace no matter what. AND I would love to win the book! thanks for this giveaway!
I am letting go of anything that I can and trying to be more consious of why I am doing things. For example, our church has an annual dessert cook off the 1st Sunday in December along with our Christmas party. I LOVE to make desserts, but this particular Sunday we had a sick kiddo, and I decided that it would stress me out to finish my dessert. So, instead I played with my kiddos.
Last night, I pushed away the last page of proofing for my first novel and breathed easy. Now I can “let go” by enjoying each day of Christmas, the lights against the cold, dark sky; tea and cookies; coffee with friends; playing with my kindle; and simply being and working at making no plans. No Christmas party this year…just a simple Christmas and remembering the reason for it.
I want to be beautiful but from the inside out. So I am letting go of all the things that make me ugly. Envy, bitterness, unforgiveness etc. will be let go in layers as I trust my God to heal me and make me in His image, to reflect His beauty.
I will be letting go of expectations. Also of buying too many gifts & spending time obsessing about buying the perfect gift.
I will be making a point to take some time each day to “rest” in the Lord’s presence…when I do, and don’t rush into the day, things are so much more peaceful even when they aren’t really, if you know what I mean?!! Hope I get a notice if I win at my email address since I am not on facebook to check if I won!!
I am resting from all the running, hustle & bustle of the season because I am just not financially able to this year. But I am choosing to rest from worrying and being content of where I am at, for this shall pass.
I will be “letting go” and resting during this busy holiday season by not doing some things I might be tempted to do just because I feel like I have to…like sending cards. By being in the moment and watching my children’s faces and giving them hugs and kisses and smiling at them.