This week, something pretty exciting happened to me... this ragamuffin-nobody-small-town girl. I got to hold in my hands, for the very first time, a book which I am beyond proud to be part of. When the package arrived in the mail, it was almost surreal. Up until a little over three years ago,
I'D NEVER WRITTEN ANYTHING...
IN MY ENTIRE LIFE...
EVER... and here I was kneeling down on the living room floor, peeling tape from a manila envelope that contained a book which held part of my heart and some of my words.
UNBELIEVABLE.
Being the book-lover that I am, I never dreamed I would be holding a book with my name or my story in print... published.
PUBLISHED.
I NEVER DREAMED...
The truth is, I don't think I could have dreamed this for myself. I never felt I was allowed to dream, let alone dream something this big.
I'd always hoped that somehow, some way, my story would be able to touch someone else with a similar story. I was completely alone for years. Until I was married, I had no one to talk to, no one to cry with, no one to listen. I carried my gaping wounds in silence. As I began to heal in my adulthood, I longed for a way, any way, to share my story so that it might help someone else. I did dream of helping other girls like me. I never dreamed that God would use a book as one of the avenues.
I NEVER DREAMED...
BUT GOD DID...
HE DREAMED THESE DREAMS FOR ME WHEN I COULDN'T DREAM AT ALL.
I am humbled, blessed, and amazed to be included with twenty-nine other women and their stories. Tamara Lunardo, editor, weaves her own personal story powerfully and flawlessly through the others creating a riveting, seamless account of gathered pieces.
WHAT A WOMAN IS WORTH is an important book with a vital message. There are heartbreaking stories and stories of redemption. There are stories of shame and stories of empowerment. If you are a woman and you struggle with your significance, your value, your role, this book might be for you. If you have been abused, misused, discarded, this book might be for you. If you struggle with insecurity, body image, self-worth, this book might be for you.
The stories are transparent, vivid, and strong.
THESE WOMEN LEFT THEIR SOULS ON THE PAGES, SO YOU COULD FIND HEALING IN YOURS.
I'm praying for the reach of this book, because its message is valuable and needed.
For this ragamuffin-nobody-small-town girl, having my story shared to reach others, soothe others, and introduce others to the reality that they are not alone brings added redemption to my own story. Telling my story for this purpose reminds me that...
DREAMS DO COME TRUE.
All is grace...always grace,
***********
What a Woman is Worth is available for purchase HERE.
Blessings, grace, and peace, dear ones.
