March 11, 2015

You're Loved No Matter What - A Book Review

So, it's Wednesday and apparently the kids these days have this little thing they call 'Woman Crush Wednesday' and while I don't love the title, there is this:


(And these are just the ones that I haven't loaned out right now!  There are others, too!)

I sort of do have a 'crush' on Holley Gerth!  She is an encourager, a believer in fully investing, a life coach and counselor, a friend and mentor and sister to all who cozy up for a cup of coffee or tea (whether it be face to face, or virtually over in her little corner of the interwebs, or at the site she co-founded that we all love, Incourage.me)  She is a stirrer-upper and igniter and releaser of God-Sized Dream(er)s and, really, who doesn't love (and need a bit of) that?

It's true... pretty much whatever she says/writes/posts, I think y'all should read because reading her words is reading her heart, and reading her heart is letting His heart beat stronger and louder and clearer -in you, for you, and through you. 

Did you see that underlined quote above?  Here... because you just can't miss it:
"Jesus wants us to trade our purses of 'perfection' for a much lighter load instead.  
He offers us security in place of striving.
Full hearts instead of full schedules.
Receiving instead of trying to buy our way to acceptance."

(I know, right? So good!)

At the heart of this book, Holley partners with God and wants to make sure that you get this: You were never created to be perfect! 

Just let. it. go.  (Not as in Frozen, but as in stop the madness, my friends!)

Perfectionism always tells you that you are not enough, that you are lacking or less than, that you must try harder and do more. Perfectionism is bossy and exhausting and oh my goodness, it just never ever ends. However, as Holley points out, 
"Gratitude is like kryptonite to perfectionism."   (You're Loved No Matter What, pg 140)

You're Loved No Matter What is all about your freedom and Holley offers tips and encouragement to help you stop the pursuit of perfection, and replace it with a knowing that you cannot earn the love that you seek. It's yours - 'No Matter What'!

My copy is already highlighted, underlined, and dog-eared, and I am already thinking of everyone who I think should read this book! (Which, by the way, is pretty much everyone!)

This book came to me in the midst of planning a Baby Shower in a Pinterest age... come on, y'all! You know what I'm talking about! And I LOVE to plan a party... I love to pick a theme and troll through Pinterest and pay attention to all the details! But there must be a cut off time to keep it real (and somewhat within budget, am I right?) 

It also showed up in my mailbox when I was sort of arguing with God about how He was being bossy about not letting me prep much for an upcoming talk on Identity. (I know... I don't recommend fighting with God - but I'm all about being honest here!)  But this book is full of confirmation and insight and I know now why He had me wait! I will be recommending it at my workshop in a couple of weeks!

If you are unsure of your true identity... if you have worn masks for so long that you have forgotten what the real you looks like, feels like, thinks or enjoys... Chapter 6 will help you begin to recognize yourself once again.  

And even if you feel confident in who you are, there is this truth that we can all grab hold of and run with:


You know... sort of like Speak Life!  Sort of like, call out the gold in others... sort of like stop apologizing for who you are and what you are good at and just go about doing your Father's work!

And speaking of our Father's work and how He is not letting me pre-plan any every word ahead of time... there is this, from page 143:
"Life is not a test.  It's an experiment. To grow and learn, you have to just do something sometimes and see what happens.  When we're trying to be perfect, we don't give ourselves this freedom. We think we need to have everything figured out and be sure we can execute our plan flawlessly before we ever take a step. I wonder how many books have gone unwritten, how many races uncompleted, how many relationships never started because of false beliefs. There is no way to do anything perfectly in this world. You're going to mess it up. I guarantee it. There is always risk. And the only way to deal with that is to increase your tolerance to things not going the way you planned.
If you're not ever making mistakes, you're not getting out of your comfort zone enough. Push until you fail. Then pull back a bit, learn some more, and try again. That's how growth happens."
Bam! (Drops the mic.)

Yeah - did you see that about "Comfort Zones"?  (Remember what God asked me at the If:Local gathering? "What Comfort Zone?" Yeah. That.)

So thank you, sweet Holley Gerth! Thank you for once again writing your heart and His heart and pouring out encouragement and tips for living this one life well! 

Thank you for Speaking Life, for Being Love, and for Shining On!

       


P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory


Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart

Meredith Bernard for #Woman2WomanWednesday

So I really think you should get your hands on this book and let it work its' way deep down into your heart! Obv's! 

Revell sent me a complimentary copy in advance for an honest review.

33 comments :

  1. Thanks so much for sharing this review, Karilee. I just got my book a couple of days ago and dove right in! I am loving it so far. I am a huge fan of Holley's too and I love her heart. Blessings to you, friend!

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  2. Thanks for sharing. Holley's words are gentle and encouraging, yet powerful and life changing!

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  3. I love your post. Thanks for stopping by my site.. and I am so grateful I stopped by yours. Love your writing and your reminders.. whew.. what great truth!!!

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  4. A good book review is like dangling a carrot in front of a bunny! Thanks Karrilee!

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    1. Oh I know, right? LOL! It's because we want All the Books! ;)

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  5. Anonymous5:53 PM

    So good, Karrilee - you are an amazing cheerleader and your gift of encouragement is going to lead many to find more - how sweet is that!

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    1. Thanks so much, friend! Happy to have you stop on over today! We all need cheerleaders and encouragers in our lives, right? I think we tend to forget how vital they are for us! Holley definitely fills those roles! Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. As always a great post friend! I agree with Susan. A good book review is like having a carrot dangled in front of a rabbit. I totally need to read Holly Gerths books. I havent read any yet and from your quotes, I can tell that I would LOVE them. And yes, we are indeed enough! I think we need to tell each other that TONS! It is so easy to think we are not enough! But God tells us we are!

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    1. Oh friend - you WOULD love them... they are like having a cup of coffee with a good friend! Real, refreshing, encouraging and uplifting! I agree - we DO need to tell each other that we are already Enough! We can just stop all the striving and trying to earn! It's exhausting and it is not fruitful... (or it is, it's not the fruit we want!) Love you, friend! xoxo

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  7. How did I miss that Holley was a life coach? I'm going through that certification now! Ok...adding these books to my list! Just wow! I'm sitting here speechless! I've been reading her words, even joining in on her blog hop and yet had no idea she did life coaching! Oh how God just makes me laugh sometimes! Hello...SLOW DOWN!!! Thank you for this!!!! Great info for me right now! And you know, I LOVE your writing! It's like I could get an audiobook of your blog! I feel like I can hear you so well.

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    1. Well that is just the best comment because we all hope our 'voice' can be heard in our writing, yes? Oh and of course you are getting certified to be a Life Coach! I love it... and you will be amazing! So thankful for you, dear friend! I always love it when you stop by!

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  8. This book looks like something worth reading and I love how you share how it came to you. I know sometimes I battle with God too. I think my way is right, somehow I am always wrong. ;) Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. LOL... Amanda, I prefer 'misguided'... ;) But yes... His ways are higher (and more - um - right!) than ours! Glad I am not the only one who tends to argue a bit though! It really is a great book and I highly recommend it! Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Love you girl - for all the things. This book looks like a good one - I can't wait!

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    1. It was so good... as are all of her words though, right? (Thanks for commenting... I was afraid the whole thing was broken!) ;)

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  10. Testing... I'm coming back to read later, I promise. Feel free to delete this one. 😉

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    1. I'll hold you to that... and then delete this one later! ;) Thanks for helping a girl out!

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  11. Testing..... In google account

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    1. Thanks Polly! Blogger has been giving me fits for months with these comments. If only I was more techy! ;)

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  12. That looks so SO good. I love that last quote.

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  13. Hope this comment goes through! Blogelina runs a lot of specials where they switch you to Wordpress!

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    1. Thanks Melissa! I know I will be making the jump this year... hopefully this Spring. I have heard great testimonies - and I have heard nightmares. I will keep Blogelina in mind! Thanks!

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  14. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Love me some Holley Gerth! And you, too!

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  15. Yea, I sort of have a friend crush on Holley too !! I can not wait to get my hands on this book and maybe a few extra copies for others around me. Thanks for sharing. Love ya !!!

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    1. She is pretty amazing, right? Seriously - I can't think of anyone I know who WOULDN'T benefit from this book!

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  16. I loved Holley's Psalms devotional last year -- one of my favorites. Have bought it for several friends.

    Thanks for sharing her new book with us. It's definitely on my wish list.

    Stopping by from Meredith's linkup (a little tardy...). Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. xo

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    1. Yes - I loved that book as well, Lyli! So glad you stopped by! It was a fabulous weekend.. and full busy fabulous weekend and I am now enjoying a slow quiet Monday! ;)

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  17. I love the book -- and your review! Like you, I adore Holley. She's such a cheerleader.

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    1. As are you, my friend! As are you! (Can I just say that I am oh so sad to hear that you won't be at JT this year... I had high hopes of actually getting to sit across from you in real life for awhile!)

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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