Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel



I went to my first Women of Faith conference this past weekend with a group of ladies from a local church. I only knew two people that were going and I wasn't very close friends with either one. I would classify them both as friends, but they weren't the type of friend that I would call out of the blue if I really needed help. Lisa Whelchel was there Friday night and I was really looking forward to listening to her speak. Several of my friends have read her book Creative Correction and a couple of others. I waited until I returned from the conference to open the book, because I knew I didn't have time to finish it before going and I wanted to hear her speak first. Lisa Whelchel is a new author for me and I was a worried about opening this book. I never imagined I would fly through it and sob like a baby while reading. From the first paragraph of the book, I did not want to put it down. Lisa's way of writing was very vulnerable and honest. I cried as I thought, I could write these exact same words. Of course, my writing would not be as beautiful and poignant as Lisa's were. This book is full of stories of situations that happened in Lisa's life with different relationships. There is scripture to back up a lot of what Lisa is saying. This book validated some feelings I have had after friendships ended. The book explained safe people and how we all need them. I realized that I have not always been a safe person and that several people I have considered safe people really are not at all safe. There was so much wisdom in this book, but at the same time it was an easy read. It felt like she was sitting across the table talking to me. I would recommend this book to others.

Per FTC guidelines: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter... after reading the Bible in 90 Days...

I was very nervous about Easter this year with Ernie's grandmother and Dad both gone for the 1st time. Ernie's family got together at his grandmother's house and I knew it was going to be full of memories. I will admit, I got a little stressed. I honestly just wanted Easter to be over, but I didn't want to get up Easter morning with that kind of attitude, because it is such a precious day. The three days before Easter were crazy busy with egg hunts with friends. They were so much fun, but I went into Easter exhausted. It was so sweet to treasure the time we had with Ernie's family Sunday. Stinky and Willie Mae not being there reminded me that we never know how long we have with anyone. I am thankful we had this Easter with them.

The peace that has overflowed since finishing reading the Bible a couple of weeks ago has been such a blessing. Just thinking that the Lord would help me complete reading the Bible and during the time that I wanted to complete the Bible makes me think that there are so many other things He would help me with, if I would just ask and pray about it. I have no doubt that that peace helped me get through this Easter. That peace helped me focus on how much better of a day Stinky and Mae must have had in Heaven than we had here on Earth. I know every day is a celebration in Heaven, but can you imagine how awesome Easter must be up there? I bet it was their best Easter, ever! I focused on that instead of being sad that they were not with us this year.