OK-Where-You-Are-Book-Proof-promoRemember last summer how we wrote a book together? Well, I wrote and  you showed up each week to read, comment, and hold me accountable. You were awesome by the way. The book came out last September (2013). I thought it would be a good idea to re-post the original 10 part series. I certainly could use the time to consider the journey God took me on last summer in light of recent life changing events.

This week, we’ll focus on a couple of chapters, with a few more the next. Unless of course it takes longer than that. This is highly possible. Thanks for being here, again. Let’s be OK together.

Here is a bit of background on the book to get us started:

Recently, I had an Olympic sized disappointment of my own. Something I had been working hard on for months fell through my fingertips. I could almost hear the gasp of the crowd in my ears as my own dream died in the form of a short email. I took a moment (translation the better part of a day) to dance with the disappointment and then I had a decision to make. What next? 

This was not an unfamiliar place for me. In my 40+ years I have had many disappointments. Some may seem small, others were life changing. I began to think back on each of those times in my life and saw a theme.  I saw for the first, time learning to be OK with where you are  is a process.

Confession time: I hate process.

I’m not entirely on the other side of it. This book is my way of walking through it and not getting stuck along the way.I love that you are here. It is so much better to walk together. I’m secretly hoping we can work out  being ok with where we are together.

I promise to cheer loudly for you. I’m hoping you’ll cheer for me, too.

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{From Chapter 1}  

Admit it.

“I’ve never been a runner. There was one time in college when I tried to become one because I desperately needed to shed the freshman fifteen. My roommate Nichole loved to run. She ran for the sheer fun of it. I was pretty sure I didn’t, remembering my days on the high school volley ball team. But, I needed results and fast. So I asked her to help me. She took on the challenge with great delight.

We would run after class just before dinner. Up hills and down, I felt every pound of the pavement on my entire body. She would glide effortlessly beside me while I gasped for air. After our run she would say, “Wow, that was great!” and then proceed to make and eat the biggest plate of pasta I have ever seen. I wanted to die and eat a pint of ice cream. I’m pretty sure I whined consistently about it to everyone who would listen.  One day while running it occurred to me, “I hate this. I hate everything about it. So why am I doing it?”

I quit running that day.

Nichole went on to run marathons and mini-marathons. She simply loved to run. I did not. The day I admitted I was not a runner was the end of my running career, but it was the beginning of something else. I started walking instead. Walking worked for me. I could walk for miles without hurting. My mind was able to slow and could release the frustrations of my day or casually communicate with whoever might be with me at the time. Usually, this was just me and Jesus. As it turns out, He likes walking, too.

Sometimes trying to be OK with where you are feels like running when you hate it. You are gasping for air and really all you want to do is stop the madness. You might also be steadily whining about it to everyone around you. Consider this your permission slip to admit it and stop running around pretending you are OK.

It is OK to admit it to yourself and God. Don’t worry, He can take it. You’ll feel better, too. It will also be the first step in your new journey. This new journey will take you straight to the heart of God.  If you let Him lead the way you will find you are not only OK with where you are, you are grateful for how you arrived.”

 

Join me tomorrow for part of Chapter 2.

xo,

Stacey

Update: Did you know you can download the entire first chapter for free? Yes, you can. Just go here.

For more information on how to purchase “Being OK with Where You Are” go here.