This post is part of Jen Hatmaker’s “For the Love” Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with many other inspiring bloggers. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE.
Despite my best intentions, I am being sucked into the Jen Hatmaker vortex. My first intersection with Jen’s writing was through the adoption community. I instantly connected to her sarcasm and sense of humor. It was kind of like she’d been inside my head and was articulating my life with the humor and wit I wish I had.
Honest truth? The middle schooler in me was jealous. We were clearly like the same person with the same thoughts but her writing came out WAY better than mine and she was handling her adoptions with much more finesse, faith, and grace. Then the adult, Christian woman stepped in:
“You have a lot going for you. Seriously!?!? Get. Over. Yourself!”
“You do not want as many blog readers as her. You could not handle the criticism.”
“If you read between the lines, adoption has probably messed her up as bad as it’s messed you up.”
So, I was resisting Jen because, rather than being a grown up and letting her be her and me be me, I knew I would probably just spend my days fantasizing about how I could write my next blog post to sound like her. #stillinmiddleschoolontheinside
Besides, it’s not like my “to read” list or my feedly needed any more growth. I barely have time to do the basics like brushing my teeth let alone the extras like reading for pleasure. #canwepretendthisistherealreasonididntfollowjen?
But, then, I threw caution into the wind and started reading her blog because the adoption community kept telling me I was missing out on some good stuff, and I need all the humor and solidarity I can find when it comes to adoption these days. The next thing I knew, we were EFF’s (you probably don’t want to ask if you don’t know), I was reading For the Love, had joined an online book club, and had her other books on hold at the library.
28% into the book at “location 836” (thank you Kindle for the ability to quote such awkward statistics but not give a blessed page number) she makes this comment about what Ann Voskamp would do and I was head-over-heels in love. Is that awkward? I’ve always felt this totally not-of-God guilt about how I cannot get on the Ann bandwagon. Anyway, I’ve decided there are two types of Christian women in the world…Jen Hatmakers and Ann Voskamps. I pretty sure Jen and I would be instant BFF’s (besides the fact that we both already have BFF’s). We would sit for hours and talk about the pros and cons of Gourmet Club versus Supper Club and about our latest back patio gatherings. On the other hand, I would make Ann cringe as we do not have a meditative sand box in our front hallway or cute, framed, printables announcing the daily menu. #howisthatforstereotyping?
All that to say, if you are a Jen (not an Ann), tend toward edgy instead of safe, or just want to know what my inner monologue sounds like, pick up a copy of For the Love.
In all seriousness, the content amidst the humor is spot on. Once you stop laughing, don’t forget to be challenged to action in the ways you:
See Yourself
“You don’t need to wait another day to figure out your calling. You’re living it, dear one. Your gifts have a place right now, in the job you have, in your stage of life, with the people who surrounded you.”
Love Others
“Boundaries come after grace, because compassion minds the fragile places but boundaries keep them from compromising the rest.”
Parent
“If your [kids] mercy radar is strong now, God can do anything with [them] later.”
Do Church
“Instead of waiting around for church to assemble a perfect group of dynamic People Who Can Meet on Tuesdays, maybe just invite some folks over…I’ve left a friends’ table as sanctified and renewed as any church service. If you have a porch, then you have an altar to gather around.” Preach it!
i’ve not read it yet but want to!
I love Jen and Ann for totally different reasons and find them both refreshing. 😉