I have sat here staring at this screen on and off for the past couple of days. I have wanted to talk about all the feels I was feeling in regards to this great news...but didn't know how to express myself. Last week I was one of the 500 out of 5000 applicants chosen to be a part of Jen Hatmaker's launch team for her new book For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards. This is such an incredible opportunity! I am so humbled and at the same time overwhelmed. Humbled because I was chosen - there were so many amazing people that applied! Overwhelmed because this is a huge honor and a very exciting opportunity: to read a great book before it is available for purchase, to meet a huge amount of great people (500 to be exact), to be involved in something that extends outside of my four walls (being on maternity leave during this past cold winter has given me a bit of a case of cabin fever), and to be a small part of bringing this great message to people everywhere who need to hear it.
I was very nervous to apply - the age old fears crowded my thoughts. What if I was rejected? What if I was accepted but wasn't able to do all that was required? But, I've been working on these self-deprecating thoughts and I put them aside long enough to write out the application form and press "submit".
I am very excited to read the book (I haven't had time to read it yet!) because I think that it speaks to the very things I am struggling with now in my life. Probably what most women struggle with! I am continually comparing myself to the world around me - the other moms I see at the park or store, the friends I have on facebook or instagram who always seem to have it "all together", my family members, and the list could go on. I see how everyone else seems to be functioning and I feel like I am falling so.very.short. I know that often these comparisons are in my head and not actually being projected from the people around me, but they are still very prevalent in my mind. I struggle with not allowing these thoughts to overwhelm me. Sometimes they take hold and I can't seem to fight my way out of my darkness. At these times I need grace. God's grace. From her blog I know that Jen has such a down-to-earth approach to life. She is true to herself and allows herself to be this way because she finds her identity in Christ. I am slowly learning this truth...finding my identity in Christ is so much more important than comparing myself to those around me. I am so excited to read Jen's book because I still have so much to learn!
Anyways I just wanted to share my exciting news. I was hoping to hold out until the hard copy came before I started reading but now that some of my new friends on our launch page are sharing quotes I am getting more and more anxious to start reading. I might just have to pull out the ipad and read the digital copy sooner than later! Stay tuned for a review of the book to come closer to the book's launch date in August. Also, I'll be posting more information about the book and helping with advertising its launch throughout the next couple of months! If you are already interested in this book you can pre-order it here on Amazon for $15!! Happy reading to me! And hopefully to you too in August!
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