Every once in a while a book comes along that INSPIRES. Jen Hatmaker’s new book, “For the Love” does just that.
This book is for all my friends who are leaders. That is EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. YOU.
Mothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, friends. You are champions.
Young, old. Single, married, divorced, separated, dating. You are loved.
I’ve seen you do your thing…teaching, writing, preaching, speaking, lawyering, doctoring, hugging, laughing. You can be a boss in the boardroom and make a mean cupcake for the class party.
You are hand holders and snot wipers. You offer a shoulder to cry on and a seat at the table. You laugh freely and love deeply. You offer your heart.
You know things…like how to make a 10 year old boy roll on the floor laughing and how to recognize when your teenage daughter has been slighted by a friend.
You push the swing and swing on the swing and swing the bat. You are comfortable in fancy shoes and cleats and muddy bare feet. Your mission field is the neighborhood, the workplace, the bus, the yoga studio, the coffee shop.
This book is for you.
You know it is more important to be kind than it is to be right. You know when to compromise. You walk through life with open palms, not clenched fists. You understand that vulnerability is a strength. You know the first one to say sorry actually wins.
We see you in churches and neighborhoods and schools and walking paths and breakfast diners. We see you in the stock market and the business school and the interview. We know you are behind the camera and in front of the camera and you are the camera. You have vision and depth and soul. You create art. You draw people in.
You are on mission. Today. Where you are.
This book is for you.
You have been offered grace. By God, parents, teachers, coaches, friends, many people in your past. Grace is your lifeline and you have been saved. You reach out to offer that grace to others and so others seek you…other grace givers …humble servants and truth tellers.
The older you get you recognize your gifts. You don’t minimize yourself or your talents. You no longer want to sit on the sidelines. You don’t want to read about what others are doing…you want to go to battle. You don’t fear what will happen if you fail, you look forward to what will happen when you succeed. You show up. You are ready to do the deep work. You are free.
This book is for you if sometimes you feel not worthy. You wonder, “Have I done enough?” …”What is my calling?”…”Who am I?” Jen addresses all of this. She also addresses the church with chapters like, “Dear Church…” and “Dear Christians, Please Stop being so Crappy…”
This book is for you if sometimes you find yourself wondering if you your family is too crazy (NO), If it really is too difficult for you to crack an egg (NO), if Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez get their beauty supplies at Walgreen’s (NO) and if you should wear yoga pants outside of the house with no shirt covering your bottom. (FOR THE LOVE…NO!) Jen covers all of this beautifully. She’s got your back.
There are recipes and thank you notes and lots of personal anecdotes. She includes Scripture and always leads you back to love and truth and Jesus.
You will love her for her honesty. She becomes your best friend, mentor, teacher, preacher and coach. She tells you it will be okay and you believe her. She holds a mirror up, tells you to take a good long look, assures you that you are beautiful and equipped and then says, “C’mon now, get going!”
This book is a movement. This book matters. “For the Love” is a battle cry.
We are missionaries. In all the places we live and work and abide. For all the people we see, heal, touch, hear, comfort, teach, love.
Jen reminds us, “You are too vital to lose years to regret or shame or insecurity or fear. We are not slaves to those masters; Jesus saw to that.”
She encourages us, “Take all the hard parts-the failures, the losses, the wounds-and give them to Jesus for glory. He makes magic with those, I tell you.”
Amen.
Let’s go make some magic, shall we?
©2015 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™, All Rights Reserved