Book Review: You’re Already Amazing

Posted 10 Comments by dogear6

[Today’s photos are from this week’s photo challenge of “forward”, using pictures from Christmas 2011 at our daughter’s house.  To see more pictures of the puppy at play, click here.]

One of the non-fiction books that I recently completed was “You’re Already Amazing” by Holly Gerth.  Written for Christian women, it encourages us to accept and apply to our lives that we are the way God made us and that it’s time to let go of the expectations, the over-busyness, and the overly critical ways we treat ourselves.

At the very end, she summarizes her book by saying:

You’re already amazing because God made you, formed you, and lives within you.  You’re amazing because you belong to him, because he has a plan for your life, because with him there’s nothing you can’t do.

We're looking forward to visiting our daughter if we just get through this traffic!
We’re looking forward to visiting our daughter if we just get through this traffic!

Her website has interactive tools from the book that can be downloaded.

Other things I enjoyed from her book:

  • Appreciate our strengths and accept our weakness, because if we were good at everything, we wouldn’t focus on anything.
  • Our goal is not to be perfect nor is it to make everyone happy.
  • The skills we use to display our strengths will change with the seasons of our lives.
  • God doesn’t compare us to anyone us and neither should we.
  • ALL of our emotions are gifts from God.
  • God’s journey for our life is different than everyone else’s.
  • We need to align our lives with love in the way God created us to be.
It's always much better to see the sunset when we look forward instead of looking into the mirror to see it behind us.
It’s always much better when we’re driving on these trips to see the sunset when we look forward instead of looking into the mirror to see it behind us.

In the book, Holly says:

You are not required to please people.  You don’t have to meet their expectations.  You are a servant with one master. . . If you’re loving God, others, and yourself, then you’re already doing enough. . . You have a purpose no one else has, and how that unfolds will look different for you than for any other woman in your life.

This is hard for women!  We feel that we have to keep up with others around us; meet the expectations of our families, friends and employers; and in general, be someone other than who we really are.

There's usually a litter of puppies when we go visit. This one got himself stuck under the table. He eventually propelled himself forward and got out. We weren't sympathetic - it kept him out of mischief for a few minutes.
There’s usually a litter of puppies when we go visit. This one got himself stuck under the table. He eventually propelled himself forward and got out. We weren’t sympathetic – it kept him out of mischief for a few minutes.

It’s a fine line to walk – the need to improve ourselves and wear off our rough edges while accepting our personalities, needs and wants and not letting others diminish or denigrate them.  For example, my need for solitude replenishes me mentally, emotionally and physically.  If I’m not careful though, it can also be an excuse to avoid people and situations and not get things done.

I highly recommend the book and the exercises at the end of each chapter plus the end of the book.  It’s a welcome encouragement to be ourselves and see our lives as Jesus intended them to be.

Awww. . . so tired after being a terror. At least he fell asleep facing forward so I could get some pictures of that sweet face.
Awww. . . so tired after being a terror. At least he fell asleep facing forward so I could get some pictures of that sweet face.

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dogear6 View All →

I am a backyard adventurer, philosopher and observer, recording my life in journals and photographs. Visit my blog at www.livingtheseasons.com.

10 Comments Leave a comment ›

  1. Your recommendation motivated me to order the book for my kindle. hope to start it this weekend. Your reply above “really encouraging for those who struggle with trying to be perfect enough for God, our families & friends, and everyone else who thinks they can tell us how to live our lives.” reminded me that you, my friend, know my heart…..have a blessed weekend.–hugs, kate

    • I think you’ll find there’s nothing new in there, but it’ll help you refocus and remind yourself that you have permission to be who God has called you to be, not what everyone else thinks you should be. It’s well worth the read to remind ourselves that He is guiding our lives, not our employers, husbands, mothers, etc..

      Unfortunately the dogs are harder to convince. They don’t see my advanced education as a good enough reason to stop acting as a doorman. In. Out. In. Out. Clean paws. Yell to stop barking. In. Out. You get it. They are the perpetual toddlers.

      I hope you’re laughing but good. Have a good evening! Let me if you enjoy the book (or not).

  2. Priceless words that feeds the soul.”You’re already amazing because God made you, formed you, and lives within you. You’re amazing because you belong to him, because he has a plan for your life, because with him there’s nothing you can’t do.” Inspiring post.

    • Thank you – I’m glad you enjoyed it. Her book has a lot of great things in it and is really encouraging for those who struggle with trying to be perfect enough for God, our families & friends, and everyone else who thinks they can tell us how to live our lives.

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