Pssst . . . pull up a chair and I’ll tell you a secret. You’d better lean in close for this one. Ready? You don’t have to do more, be more, have more.
I’m sure there are security alarms going off somewhere. You should probably hide this when your in-laws come over. And this could be the makings of a Sunday morning scandal. But it’s true. It’s the kind of true that will change your life, set you free, and make you wake up smiling for the first time in a long time. I know because that’s what it’s done for me and thousands of other women.
Even if we’ve never met, I know this about you: you’re a daughter of God, a holy princess, a woman created with strengths you’ve yet to fully grasp and a story that’s still being written by the divine Author Himself. And if you really take hold of who you are and what you’re called to do, there will be no stopping you. That’s because there’s no stopping Him in you—and He’s got bigger plans for your life than you’ve even imagined.
Okay, you’ve been warned. If you’re feeling brave, I dare you to keep reading . . .
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As a counselor, I had the privilege of listening to the hearts of women. Their concerns varied but I heard the same words again and again: “I’m not enough,” “I don’t have anything to offer,”“I’m tired of trying so hard.” And I found myself leaning in and saying one sentence over and over: You’re already amazing.
I soon found myself repeating that phrase to friends over coffee, those who left comments on my blog and, yes, to the woman who looked back at me in the mirror each morning. At first it seemed quite scandalous–were we even allowed to believe we’re already amazing?
But over the course of a few months, God took me on a journey that revealed His heart for His daughters. I realized He wants us to embrace who we are and become all He created us to be. He doesn’t want us to live worn-out, weary lives where we continually feel like we’re not enough. Knowing who we are leads to praise not to pride–and it makes us dangerous women for the Kingdom of God.
Psalm 139:14 says, I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.
A decade has gone by since I first wrote the above introduction for You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be. Since then over 100,000 women have experienced that message. I’ve heard your stories of changed lives, strengthened hearts and a new sense of purpose. But I have a feeling 2023 will offer us the opportunity to be even more amazed.
By the God who created us.
By the plans He has for each of us.
By the freedom, joy and love we can find in Him.
Will you join me? Will you dare to hope and believe God has even more to show us? If so, I want to share a free excerpt with you. I pray it offers right-on-time encouragement and truth as you step into all 2023 will bring. If you prefer listening to an audiobook, it’s 50% off now through January 27th.
I don’t know what the future will hold. But I do know this: Whatever it does we will not face it alone. We will have each other. And we will have a God who has more in store for us than we can even imagine. Let’s dare to make this an amazing year.
