it's book club discussion day! (The Best Yes)

Good morning! Today is the day of our first Virtual Book Club discussion!

Did you love the book? It was a perfectly timed read for me.

First of all, I don't know how I missed this part but 100% of the book's proceeds go to help some incredible Christian organizations, including an orphanage in Tanzania.

Watch this video & see Lysa Terkeurst's family at the orphanage and the exciting things they're doing there.

 ( click here to play video )

Note | I read this book on my iPad so I'm so sorry I don't have page numbers. I'll try and have the physical book in the future.

The bold portions are quotes from the book.

Do NOT feel you have to stick to my questions and what I'm talking about. Let's chat about what you took away from this great book!

. . Chapter 1 . .

In this great day when most women wave banners of authenticity about our pasts, we crouch back from honey about our presents. We'll tell you all about our broken places of yesterday but don't dare admit the limitations of our today.

Ohmygoodness, RIGHT?! I feel that everyday and have to force myself to be authentic about my daily struggles. In a world of pretty Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, It's so easy to feel like we feel like we are a disaster compared to those we follow virtually.

My post the other day on Motherhood: When Things are Sometimes Rough was one of those times where I really wanted to draw together with other women to remind ourselves that YES! Sometimes things stink and there are days that are hard! Life isn't all peaches and cream every moment. But it's not just like that for me...I'm sure it's that way sometimes for you, too!

Question | Do you feel this way? Do you feel like you can be transparent about past struggles and not the ones you're facing today?

. . Chapter 3 . .

If I want things about my life to change, if I want to change the way I use the world's two most powerful words, yes and no, it won't happen just by trying harder or daydreaming more or even working myself to death. I have to change my approach to this way I make decisions. The same patterns will produce the same habits. The same habits will lead to the same decisions. The same decisions will keep me stuck. And I do't want to be stuck.

. . .

What if we dared to take time to write out that new height or next big goal for our lives? The thing we want but never really plan for?

And then what if we were honest enough with ourselves to actually write down the first steps for accomplishing that thing? And then what if we were audacious enough to actually schedule time to work on those first steps?

I've heard for years that by physically writing down your goals, you are more likely to succeed and have those goals fulfilled. I've never done it! But I think I'm going to today. It'd give me a great source to refer to as I make decisions. I know it would help me know if what I'm doing is heading toward those goals or away from them.

Question | What big dreams and goals do you have? Are you planning for them or just going about life hoping it all comes together? If you're planning, what are you doing...help us learn how to do it!

. . Chapter 6 . .

The decisions you make today matter. Every decision points your life in the direction you are about to travel. No decision is an isolated choice. It's a chain of events. If you choose wisely, your future will reflect that. But if you don't choose wisely, the decisions you make now will take you to places you don't want to be later.

Years ago I heard Beth Moore tell a story about saying yes and no to things. Forgive me if I don't get every detail correct, but you'll get the idea...

She had taught a Sunday School class for years and though she loved it and those in it very much, felt it was no longer where God wanted her spending her time and energy. It was no longer the best yes for her at that season of life. But she didn't think anyone else could fill her shoes. She didn't think there was anyone who could do the class as well as herself. That she'd be letting people down if she stepped down.

So she spoke with the Director about it. And you know what that woman said? "Oh I have the most perfect woman to teach the class! She's been wanting to work in ministry in our church for months but never knew where her gifts would best be used! She'd be a great fit!"

And what happened next?! That woman did a fantastic job teaching and training...and Beth...went on to start Living Proof Ministries.

Had she not said no, we may not have the incredible Bible studies and books and such from the Beth Moore we know and love.

Question | What things do you think God may be telling you is your Best Yes or perhaps your No?

. . Chapter 12 . .

Saying yes all the time won't make me Wonder Woman. It will make me worn-out woman.

Yep. Yep. Yep. I get SO frustrated that I can't do it ALL! I have unrealistic expectations of myself and put a ridiculous amount of guilt on myself when I don't get everything done (and done at the level I think it should be).

Question | Are you the same? Please tell me I'm not alone on this! Though I hope you you're not as hard on your sweet little self.

. . Chapter 14 . .

I love the quote by Bob Goff, author of Love Does that Lysa mentions. Have you read this book? If not, you neeeeed to. It's amazing. Maybe it'll be a book club book soon.

Let me tell you what I do when I don't know what to do to move my dreams down the road. I usually just try to figure out what the next step is and then do that. I know it sounds too simple, too formulaic; it seems like there must be more to it. But there isn't. For most of us, the next step is as easy as picking up the phone, sending an e-mail, witting a letter, buying a plane ticket, or just showing up. After that, things start happening. Things that perhaps have God's fingerprints on them. You'll know which ones do and which ones don't. Pick the ones that do.

Question | Do you agree? Could it really be that simple?

Who do you want to be? I want to be like the most non frantic woman my family ever met, a woman who knows the gentile art of a life brush-stoked with her Best Yes, a woman who knows how to be lovingly present.

Question | How do you feel you can be more present? What can you (we!!) do to have a less frantic life??

. . Chapter 16 . .

I love those words, "God's Spirit beckons." Yes. Yes, He does. I was reading this section to a friend who told me she doesn't really feel insecure, but ...then admitted, "I know that feeling. God beckoning. And maybe that's the reason I don't get insecure. For years I've refused to step way from what is comfortable to me. I've refused to step into anything that I'm not sure  I can do. So, I don't often feel insecure because I stay in only secure places and refuse God becoming me to more."

Wow. Isn't that totally us? We're comfortable with being comfortable. It's scary to step foot in the waters of what God sometimes asks of us! Ben and I really strive to not be stuck in comfort. In fact I blogged about it in the post A Different Look at Being Content.

Oh my heart aches at what we would have missed had we decided to stay in comfort! The kids that would never have joined our family and exciting ways He's strengthened and stretched us as a couple and individuals.

Question | Are you a little too comfortable? What do you think God is asking you to do that you've been ignoring? Or are you really striving for Christ's sometimes scary but always awe-inspiring path for your life?

Remember, we tooootally don't have to stick to the topics I discussed above. They're just a jumping off point.

What did you get most out of in The Best Yes?

 | updated NOTE |

I think I picked a horrible day, right before Thanksgiving! Sorry friends! I keep getting message after message saying you want to take part but today is crazy! So sorry. Take part if you can (even if it's not today) but do NOT stress about it! xo