A Perfect Mess!

It was the title of a new book by Lisa Harper that stole my attention. At the time the review offer breezed through my inbox, "A Perfect Mess" clearly described how I was feeling about the state of my life. Routines were in chaos, commitments were overtaking every waking hour, gnawing into my night-times, too. But between the time I agreed to review this book and finally setting aside some time to read it, the Lord did a miraculous work on my life. He taught me how to say "No, thanks!" He challenged me to be an obedient daughter by finding time to be still with Him. He focused my outlook on life, showing me that I need to be joyful in God my Savior, as opposed to rejoicing over crossing items off a "to do" lists that stretched from here to Timbuktu!

Not only do I have time to breath, to play with my kids again, and to serve without resenting everyone in my way, but I actually have a smile on my face and pep to my step that has been missing for quite some time. Now don't get me wrong. I have my moments, like the one in which I became a raving lunatic at my children over the distribution of pancakes and cleaning up of crayons, in which the tune of "I want..." and "I can't..." made me flip my lid. Yes, I still have issues! But the joy in the moment is much more frequent than the sour temper I've been known to storm around with. Praise God!

Even though God has moved me from "A Perfect Mess" to "A Bit Less Messy," I still was ready to dive into Lisa's book, A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God. And I am so glad I did. Lisa combines a wonderful sense of humor, poignant stories, and Biblical truths throughout her easy to read chapters. It is a light-hearted study that would be great for a women's group meeting during the summer or following an intensive, inductive study.

A Perfect Mess is a casul walk through Scripture, stepping aside at various Psalms to open our eyes to Biblical truth and life application. Each chapter concludes with a half-dozen questions appropriate for self-reflection or group discussion. It is a good read for women in all seasons of life, as Lisa's stories are understandable and Scripture applications digestable.

A few words from the publisher...

Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.

A Perfect Mess offers hope to every woman who yearns for a vibrant relationship with God but worries she isn’t good enough or doesn’t do enough to merit His affection. With characteristic authenticity, speaker and author Lisa Harper shares poignant stories from her own imperfect life to showcase the real-life relevancy of the Bible in the lives of modern women.

As she guides readers on a story-driven journey through selected Psalms, they will be inspired to experience for themselves how God’s incomparable love transforms the messiness of life into a gorgeous work of grace.

Author Bio:
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville.

Enjoy a good read!

By His Grace,