For the Love of “No” {and a Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed.}

As a young’un, I had a sassy streak a country-mile wide. In particular, I liked to argue. A lot. While my parents pretty much encouraged me to pursue whatever career interests I wanted, over and over my Daddy told me never to become a lawyer because, “You’ll always be held in contempt of court for arguing with the judge!”

Well, he may have had a point.

If you’re like me and carry a tendency to argue {even if as grown-ups we have matured a leetle in this area}, you probably aren’t exactly BFF’s with the word “no.” I know my heavenly Father gives firm “no’s” for good reasons, but sometimes hearing them brings a fit out of me big enough to make any toddler proud.

 

And then I read something like Notes to Aspiring Writers and I get a B I G dose of perspective in its succinct design. Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream God’s Plan, penned by the savvy Brooke McGlothlin, gives priceless inspiration to new and experienced writers alike. In fact, the encouragement found in this book is fitting for all gals, writer or not! Why? Because the heart of the book’s message beats for discovering the joy found in laying aside our plans for His.

Brooke authors the website Life in Need of Change and is co-founder of the best boy mom blog on the block, the MOB Society. Whether parenting, managing her home, or writing, this girl throws herself passionately into all she does. And lemme tell ya this: If prayer moves mountains, this girl has shifted the entire Rocky Mountain chain. Her popular Warrior Prayers e-book proves this girl knows how to walk the walk while inspiring others along the way.

In  Notes to Aspiring Writers, Brooke encourages us to take “no’s” received and view them in the lens of His design, to take tight-gripped intentions and lay them in His open palms. While doing this doesn’t necessarily feel like a cakewalk, it does provide weight-off-your-shoulders freedom.

Living the Christian life means letting go. But the hope lies in knowing when we sacrifice in Jesus’ name, the return is so much greater than the deposit. In that light, Brooke tells us to rest knowing our future – and our dreams! – are securely in His hands.

“In HIS time, He will bring His dreams to you. Focus most of your time and energy on knowing Him, loving Him, and walking in intimate pursuit of relationship with Him.” p. 12

When we receive the no, we don’t have to twiddle our thumbs and feel sorry for ourselves. We are gifted with a plan of action in the waiting: walking in intimate pursuit of relationship with Him. We follow His lead to the “next step,” the next best thing for us. We remember accepting the “no” now means we accept an even better “yes” later.

And while I may not *always* love it, that’s something I just can’t argue.

If you’d like to get your hot little hands on Brooke’s ebook, click here {it’s only $2.99, y’all}! It’s available on Kindle or as a PDF download. Also, enter for a chance to win a copy by leaving a comment below. {Don’t worry…I’m the only one who sees your email, and I need it so I can contact you if you win.}