It's here!
Today is the day Jen Hatmaker's new book "For the Love" comes out! I have been waiting for this day since March, when I got the email saying that I had been chosen to be on the Launch team for this book. One of only 500 (#the500), out of 5000 applicants. A group of 496 women and the #bandoffour men that, out of this book, formed a community unlike anything I've ever known. A Facebook group of people pouring out love to one another. Political posts where people could actually respectfully disagree with one another without hatred, name-calling, or belittling for differences of opinion. This community- people just genuinely loving on each other through many different trials in life. I love it, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it- and it's all because of this book...
This book has changed my outlook on life. Twenty-six chapters on everything from Difficult People to Turning Forty to Fashion Concerns (Leggings as Pants, the struggle is real). She oozes God's truth through all of her words, and brings the reader back to the place God wants us to focus- on Him and His love. In her chapter entitled "On Calling and Haitian Moms," one sentence really struck me to my core. "If it isn't also true for a poor single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn't true" (#FortheLove). She goes on to say, "Theology is either true everywhere or it isn't true anywhere." Those statements are so powerful- and freeing! God loves us all- and His Son died on the cross for us ALL. Money and power are not a testament of God's love; living in faith, love, happiness and contentment is. Jen, through this book, helps us to see what life is really all about.
"For the Love!" I say this phrase daily- when something wonderful happens, when I'm frustrated, etc. That's why I was so excited to get my hands on this book. I had heard of Jen Hatmaker from a friend of mine and followed her on Facebook, but I had never really had a chance to dig into her books until I got on this Launch team. In the first chapter, Jen talks about our generation- a group of people "on the hook." I could not agree more with this statement! We are all in a race to see who can be the most perfect while doing the most things and being everything to everyone, and we're forgetting to actually participate in our lives. Jen likens our lives to being a balance beam, and challenges us to find the things that we don't actually need that throw us off-kilter and get them "off the beam." That's my new favorite saying- off the beam. Instead of feeling pressured to do everything you're asked, you can actually assess your own life and determine if you have the time or energy to do something. AND IT'S OKAY TO SAY NO! What freedom- knowing that saying no will not end the world, and often when you say no, people respect it and don't think less of you (which is a big fear for most of us). If you feel this pressure, this overwhelming feeling that you never get anything done and you are a failure, this book is for you!
I love to read and read a LOT of books, many more than once. Since April, I have read this book at least three times, and it hits me each time. This book is a necessity for every woman in America. Just make sure when you read it, you have highlighters, pens, a notebook, and LOTS of tissues. And don't be surprised if you burst out in laughter- I woke my husband up a few times reading it at night. This book will make you laugh, make you cry, make you want to be more present in life. It gives you permission to say no. If you haven't yet- go out and buy it RIGHT NOW! This is not something you want to miss, for the love!
Check out the book trailer from Jen herself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjyZ91Z0nFs.
Here is the link to the book's website: http://forthelovebook.com/. From here, you can order the book and learn a little more about it and the author. You can also see an endorsement from yours truly (!!), as well as the endorsements from the rest of the Launch team.
If you want a chance to win a copy of the book- comment below why you want to read it and I'll choose a winner on August 23rd!
