Does change make you quake in your boots? I’m not talking about pennies and quarters. I’m talking about that yank-you-out-of-your-comfort-zone change.
I kinda have a thing about change. I’ve had a lot in my life. I’ve lived in 5 states since I’ve been married. I’ve had two “real” jobs and a few other mini jobs. Last year, like I mentioned in one of my last posts, I experienced so much change, I could have been a psychological study! But the thing about change, for me, is that with each change, it somehow changes you for that next phase. blahdeblah. What I mean is, with each change in a certain area, I feel like it’s harder to change in that area. Hmmm…I can’t say this clearly, let me give you an example:
I’ve mentioned before that my hubby and I were children’s pastors at two different churches. And both of them ended badly. (The second one started badly, but that’s a different story.) When those BIG changes came–of us leaving our homes and churches, it was hard! We didn’t want to. And now that we’re on the other side of those changes, when I think about going into another church, another job, another change–it gets me nervous! I have insecurities that weren’t there before. I have doubts and baggage and (ahem!) unforgiveness that plagues me!
(Wow. We’re letting it all hang out today on Oh Amanda!)
My husband and I go up and down about these changes. Sometimes we talk about it a lot. Sometimes we go weeks without discussing the changes that we know will come in our future. I am in such a comfortable position now, I don’t like to think about change! I don’t want to feel out of control and unsure and vulnerable!
Which leads me to the whole purpose of this post…a book. Yes, a book, Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh. I received this book from the wonderful people at Multnomah. As soon as they asked me to read it I said YES, PLEASE! It was practically written for me–it’s about PK (pastor’s kid), involved in church and dreading the changes in her life and her church. The heroine, Harriet, is a reformed rebellious teenager who’s afraid to do anything fun because she thinks she might be tempted to sin again. This isn’t really me, but the whole “I want to be in control” and “I want to have a plan” is VERY me.
I just loved reading a book about someone who has REAL issues. Not like other chick-lit books which are mainly, “OMG! Should I marry the uber-hot missionary or the kinda hot pediatraician?” (hey, I still like those, I’m just sayin’.) I liked the…realness of it.
Harriet was freaked because everything she knew at her church was changing. They were moving out the organ and moving in guitars. They were moving in staff members and moving out others. The changes were wrecking her plans! And she has to come to grips with the difference between her plans and God’s plans!
Am I talking too much about this? Here, read the summary by Multnomah:
Preacher’s kid and prodigal Harriet Bisset returned to her church and her family in Franklin , Tennessee, seven years ago. Once the proud owner of two tattoos and a nose ring, Harri is now addicted to Jelly Bellys in lieu of hangovers and Bible verses in lieu of foul language. The good news is that she has everything under control: a part-time position as director of women’s ministry, a church family that adores her, a rent-free home in a senior mobile home park, and the possibility of owning the café where she waitresses. Nothing could tempt Harri to return to her old ways. Nothing but a 1298 cc, liquid-cooled, sixteen-valve, in-line four-cylinder motorcycle—and the church consultant riding it. Reformed rebel Maddox McCray’s arrival at First Grace spells C-H-A-N-G-E for the dying church. And it just might mean change for Harri when Maddox sets out to convince her that even Christians are allowed to have fun. The story of a prodigal daughter’s transformation, Splitting Harriet reminds readers of God’s delight in forgiving, loving, and enjoying the ride.
This book was just right up my alley–ministry jobs, church consultants, and Jelly Bellys. Not to mention a major theme in the book is judgment and forgiveness. Which is EXACTLY what our pastor has been speaking on the past four weeks. Hmmm…is God talking to me?!
ANYWAY, if you got through all that heart gush I just typed, you deserve a prize! How about a copy of Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh? Well, Multnomah sent me TWO to give away! Leave me a comment and I’ll pick a winner…uhm…on Friday! I’ll announce it the same day as my oh! ho! ho! giveaway, ok?
(oh, I just re-read this post and I didn’t mention so much about the book that I wanted to! There was just so much more that I identified with! I highly recommend it because I think Tamara hit a ton of stuff on the head! Please go pick it up–and if you’d like to read a great interview with Tamara Leigh, click over to Deena’s.)
Oh, I hope I win. I’m a reformed-PK too. Sounds interesting.
I would love to win this. Sounds like a great book. 🙂 Hope all is well with you.
I really want to win this, it is right up my alley:) Thanks!
Enter me please. 🙂
you know I have to comment… I’m always up for a good read! 😉
Thank you for the wonderful review of SPLITTING HARRIET! I’m so pleased that I didn’t mess up the “Preacher’s Kid” element, having no personal experience with the stresses involved in being the child of a minister. I’ve always been intrigued with and sympathetic toward preacher’s kids who not only have to deal with the normal angst of growing up, but the expectations of so many. From everything I’ve read and the preacher’s kids I spoke with, it’s VERY difficult. Thanks again and have a very blessed week.
This sounds like a wonderful book.
I so identify with your fear of change and the unknown. I want to be in control. I was just having a major heart-to-heart with my BFF about this yesterday. I want my heart to change so badly and get past the fear. I think we equate change with “bad”, when change can actually be really good. It’s that whole Romans 8:28 – God works everything for our good. We’re just afraid to raise our hands in surrender to God because we think He’ll do something that hurts. I need to set aside the “what-ifs” and trust God.
By the way, Amanda, I just love reading your blog.
This sounds like a great book. I’d love to win it. Thanks for offering it to us. Take care and God bless, Cory
I would love to read this book…Especially after reading your post! I, too, am afraid of change…Maybe this book would help! Thanks for the chance to win!
Oooh…pick me, Amanda! I’d love to have a new book to read! Yes, you read that right…I’d like to read a book! Please pick me…I’ll be your best friend!! 🙂
I can identify with this, and with YOU! We’ve been in two different ministry positions that ended badly…neither of which were “our fault”, but both of which were made to sound like we WANTED to leave. It’s very hard to get over, and consequently, it’s very scary to think about getting back into full-time ministry…which we have not done again yet, even though it’s been about 6 years since our last heartbreak. The last one was with the church I grew up in and which ALL of my family attended. Please enter me to win this book!
Sounds like my kinda book! I’d love a chance to win it!
Sounds like a great book!
I actually love change! I’m one of those weirdos that would change my furniture around weekly if I had the time… I’d move to other locations… if my kids weren’t established in school… etc.
well, our daughter is a PK, but i love a good book!
sounds like a very good book.
I too fear change, it is rough especially when you don’t know where you are headed.
I would love to win this book!I hate change but I do blame it on the fact that we moved every year almost when I was a kid, and I think that having to be the new kid in school taught me a few things, but traumatized me none the less. I don’t even move around my furniture because I like things how they are!!!
Hey Amanda,
First off I love the WW picture this week. And I need to read that book. With all of our changes with our church that run into the family (as you know)- and especially the unforgiveness part! Does being a family member bump me up on the list at all 🙂
Have a fun Thankgiving! I am SO jealous of Aunt Paula, Staci, and Shelby!
Sounds great! Please enter me in the drawing.
I have already wish-listed the book in case I don’t win it! I’m a PK and this sounds like it would be SUCH a fantastic read!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Im in!
please enter me thnaks
I would love to read this book.
Im always up for a new book to read. Count me in!
I’m always up for a new book (ALWAYS…kind of an obsession of mine). Chick-lit type books have not made much of an appearance on my book shelves in the past (I’m more of an historical fiction kind of gal), but lately I’ve been trying out some new Christian authors in this genre and I’m quite impressed. So bring it on…OH please?
I hear you about “having a plan”… it must be a PK thing…God is continually teaching me about surrendering to His plan. I’d love to win this book! 🙂
Please include me! It sounds great!
By the way, I am not trying to enter twice, I just wanted to let you know that I am giving away a book this week as well. Feel free to stop by and enter!