The Perfect Life {And a Give-Away!}

UPDATED: Winner announced at bottom of post! 

It’s my joy to host my friend Amy Carroll, the author of the new book Breaking Up with Perfect. If you struggle with perfectionism to any degree (and what woman doesn’t?), you need this book!
Here’s Amy:

How my heart ached as I walked through my much loved, empty house. Now, instead of being filled with the laughter of little boys, the whispers of love between my husband and me, and the barking of my rambunctious dog, the rooms echoed only my footsteps.

The moving trucks had already left, taking the bits and pieces of my life with them, but I remained alone. And I grieved.

I loved that house, not just for its antique beauty, but for the hopes and dreams that had thrived there. This was the house I thought I’d watch my boys leave when they headed to college. This was the house I where I thought I’d play with my grandchildren. I planned to grow gray there, so I poured my heart and soul into making it a home.

That house held my dreams of the perfect life.

But God had different plans. My husband Barry got a new job in a different city, and I found myself moving away from a home, from friends, and from a church family. Suddenly, my perfect plan for a perfect life seemed marred. Things looked very imperfect to me.

For a moment, a seed of resentment tried to sprout in my heart. Barry seemed to be getting his perfect life—a better job with lots of excitement attached—while I was giving up my vision of perfection.

“What about me?!” my heart cried.

Gently God whispered this familiar passage from His Word into my heart, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

My rebellious heart rested in this comfort. God would never change my life’s plans without the best for me in mind. He didn’t forget me when He gave my husband a new opportunity. He was still in control, and His plans for me are truly perfect.

Are you wrestling today?

Maybe you’re wondering if God has forgotten you in your circumstances because they sure aren’t perfect. Maybe your perfect life has been shattered by loss or rejection or pain. Maybe you’re hopeless or unsure if God sees you.

I understand. I’d like to take your hand and assure you. God sees you. He knows your dreams for the perfect life. But He has a plan that is greater than anything we can dream up or pursue ourselves.

Only when we end our pursuit of perfection can God begin His perfecting work in us.
I walked out of my beloved home that day without knowing what was ahead but filled with the peace of knowing that God was with me. He shapes the life that is perfect for me and perfects me in the process.

As a celebration of the release of her book Breaking Up with Perfect, Amy is giving away a copy of her book here this week. Please leave a comment to enter. If you’re living in warp-speed, simply say “I’m breaking up with perfect!” in the comments.
(You can visit Amy's website by Clicking Here) Contest Closed.

WINNER of a FREE copy of Amy's book is Bobbie Todd. Congrats to you, Bobbie! Please send me your snail-mail address through my contact button (above) so you can receive your book! 




21 comments:

Crystal Melissa said...

Thank you for that much needed encouragement. I love Jeremiah 29:11, but recently I found another scripture which stops me in my quest for perfection, Psalms 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God." Again, thank you for the encouragement and I look forward to reading your book.

Anonymous said...

I'm breaking up with perfect!

April said...

Wow!! Can't wait to get my hands on this one! Seems to be just what I need right about now.

Sue said...

This came to me the morning, as I was struggling with not having enough time to be the perfect wife, mother, friend and employee! I was driving to work stressed, got s little road rage when someone blew their horn at me and another cut me off. I wasn't in the state of mind to go work with a 2 year old with behavior issues! I pulled into a local park...took a few breaths, prayed, and read this. Boy did I need it! Gods perfect timing! Looking forward to reading this book!!!

Ginny said...

I'm breaking up with perfect! I finally came to realize (in my old age) that I CANNOT do it all!

Unknown said...

“I’m breaking up with perfect!” Yes, I am!!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm breaking up with perfect!

Anonymous said...

"God would never change my life’s plans without the best for me in mind" I love this line. When I give Him control I have no worries!

A Journey For Life said...

Recovering perfectionist!!

Carol Ann said...

Breaking up with perfect!

Unknown said...

I would love to break up with perfect, and help my daughter to do the same!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Jeremiah 29:11 is our family's life verse. We are working towards breaking up with perfect!

Elaine said...

I am breaking up with perfect

Colleen said...

I'm breaking up with perfect! Can't wait to read your new book!

Starsky99 said...

I'm breaking up with perfect. Thank you.

Deb said...

I'm breaking up with perfect! I really am!

Angie (@GodsWordisTruth) said...

I’m breaking up with perfect!

Lisa Williams said...

This book could not have come at a better time, proving that God's timing is perfect. Several major life events have left me wondering if God knows I'm still here. As a typical type A, I try to control instead of letting God do the controlling. I'm so very ready to break up with perfect and hand it over to God!

Amy said...

I'm thankful to have so many sisters on the journey with me to breaking up with perfect. Blessings to each of you!

Erlyne said...

I'm breaking up with perfect, too! :o)

Unknown said...

I would love to break up with perfect!

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