A Book Look: Let's All Be Brave

My Library

Let's All Be Brave

My summer reading started off perfectly! This book deserves a five out of five stars...make that gold stars! I first fell in love with Annie's humorous yet personal writing style. At the end of the book, I felt like I knew Annie on many levels. Her willingness to honestly open up her life with complete strangers like me, allow her readers to relate with her. And relate with her I did...can I just be Annie when I grow up? I admire the courage God placed in her heart to follow His lead...especially because He lead her to write this book.

Let's All Be Brave centers around the idea of saying "yes" to the talents, dreams, and callings God has given you. Being brave does not always look like living in a different country or going cliff jumping. It takes courage to switch jobs, marry your best friend, speak truth and love into your sibling, and to say "no" to a relationship that is not the best for you. How have your past acts of courage affected where you are today? Or..the better question might be...How have your lack of brave acts affected where you are today? This book inspired me to do great things. It reminded me that I serve a God who does not like to settle. 

Here are a few of Annie's points that I especially cherished. 

{ "When I look back on my life, the greatest joy will be to talk about the times I was partnered with God in what he was already doing". Downs }

What a beautiful picture that comes to my mind when I think about partnering with God. He does everything to the counsel of His will. We can resist his hand in our life or we can work with him in fulfilling His purpose for our lives. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss out on the things God will do within and through me because He promises they will be beyond our wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20). 

Be fully present at the point of the story God is writing for you. 

{ "We don't screw up by saying yes to the wrong things; we screw up by letting all the floats in the parade pass us by and never jumping on one of them for a ride to the end" Downs }

Do not let your talents go to waste. Unbury them, even the seemingly small or embarrassing ones. I challenge you to make a list of all the abilities God has blessed you with. Ask your family and/or close friends what they think your talents might be. Pray over each one, asking God how He might want you to use them for his glory and his fame. Pray bold prayers! Think big! God wants to hear your biggest dreams...ideas that may seem impossible to you but very doable to God. Tell others about your gifts and what you want to do with them (that takes courage too). When we start practicing our talents, they begin to multiply. 

{ "Courage doesn't tell you to let go when you know what to grab next. Brave people let go when it's time to let go." Downs }

By far my favorite quote in this book. So convicting. I am holding on to a lot of things I need to let go of, saying "yes" to things I need to say "no" to. Are you? It does not matter if they are good or bad---

possessions...relationships...places...seasons...circumstances...addictions...idols

If they are not what is best for you, then it is time to let them go. Even if you do not have something to grab on to next. Will the next thing be better? Worse? Harder? How long will I have to wait for it? 

The answer to these questions are found in this passage. 

{ Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message }

Through Annie, the Lord encouraged me to trust in his power enough to pursue my smallest wishes and my biggest hopes. Write a book. Work in women's ministry. Raise a family. Exercise more. Lead a small group. Continue blogging. Create godly communities. Speak love. They all take courage. 

Join me in living a life guided not by doubt and fear, but by faith in God who can do all things and in His Son whose voice can calm the fiercest storm. 

The Girl Next Door