a must.

Grace for the Good Girl is my favorite book as of late. 

this is a review of sorts.  although i've already told you twice that i highly recommend this book.  now to just share more of why.

emily freeman intricately weaves together Scripture and stories that magically transport you to a corner coffee shop, sitting right next to her.  the book rests around the free gift of Grace from Christ and how to truly live in that, rather than finding our goodness in ourselves.  and even when we know there is no goodness inside of us, we wear a mask, to "prove" there is.  emily's book helped me see how i have done this in my own life. here is my personal story ~

standing in my pudgy, fifth grader body with my boyish haircut, i pulled out my mask for the very first time.  school was back in session and a friend came up to me on the playground.  with youthful recklessness she said, "i heard your dad died a few weeks ago.  we read it in the newspaper.  is that true?"  all i could muster was, "yeah, but i am okay."  because i did not want to have a breakdown right there next to the popular crowd and be called a cry baby. 

and so it started.  saying i was fine whenever asked, being as strong as a just-turned-ten-year-old girl could.  hiding my weeds and only showing the pretty blooms.  the mask of responsibility and maturity and strength was firmly fixed in place. 

i married a widower and cried myself to sleep many nights because of it.  how could i be good enough or what if he is comparing me or what if this is too painful or what if i am not equipped for this sort of baggage?  yet, i trodded on, strong, responsible and mature, hardly letting anyone know the depth of my fears, the mask glued tightly to my tear touched face.  in my parent's divorce, my dad's death, a cross-country move, seizures, an emergency c-section, the mask was a companion. 

"There is no magic formula to living life free of masks.  There is no automatic mask remover.  The masks will never disappear completely as long as we live in a fallen world (Grace for the Good Girl, page 220)."

i'm learning and being reminded again and again, that Jesus was perfect for me.  it's okay if i am weak.  He is strong.  He is on the throne and pouring out ceaseless grace for me everyday. and tons of blessings... there is nothing like looking into the eyes of my honey or kids and seeing that very grace.

"Jesus Saves is not just a religious slogan; it is my present-day reality.  He saves me from every girl-made inclination I have to make this life work and from the fleshly mask I hide behind when it doesn't (Grace for the Good Girl, page 220)."

i'm carissa, letting go of my hurts, my inner good girl, being freed from the try-hard, taking off my always strong and responsible mask, and resting in the sweet grace of Jesus.  i invite you to do the same.  

i have received no compensation for this.  i like emily's book that much and want you to enjoy it, too. 

linking with my girl rach, who happens to be at the relevant conference right now with emily freeman.  and i am not jealous at all.  ; )