Reading for Review

With my review copy and big, ole pink highlighter in hand, I headed off for my Adoration hour. The plan, read half the book, then finish up during my second holy hour on Friday. What happened? An hour and a half later, I left with the entire book devoured. Now, to be fair, I am a very fast reader and do read for highlights when reviewing. Yet, Enough as You Are: Overcoming Self-Doubt and Appreciating the Gift of You, happily engulfed not only my hour but left me not willing to leave my spot until I’d reached the last page!

First, A Little About the Author

Peggy Weber, whom I am blessed to have met a few times in person, is an award-winning journalist and author who has been working at her craft for almost 40 years, primarily with the Catholic press. The author of the popular “Spun from the Web” column, she loves her faith, family, baseball and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. She loves to laugh a lot—often at herself—which helps her to truly feel “enough.”  Since I am also from Massachusetts, we’ve been known to travel in the same Catholic conference/event circles. I’ve long been a fangirl and am honored to have been asked to share my thoughts on her new book.

and now…10 Random Thoughts from my Reading

1. Thrilled Peggy is offering a Discussion Guide #FavoriteThings
2. I never read Introductions, glad I didn’t skip this one, prepared me for what was to come #AsTheyareIntended
3. We are made in God’s image, are very powerful words, so glad Peggy reminded me. Though it is hard to picture God as somehow resembling a height-challenged, middle-aged, fluffy woman. Oh, wait, not that image – in His goodness! #AndaFewOtherVirtuousQualities
4. There is an important lesson we can learn from Dandelions. Dandelions are the flower I would like to be used in all my saint images #BorntoBeASaint — because they are tenacious, everywhere and reach even further in their death. Disclaimer: That WAS not Peggy’s point in chapter one, hence the random thoughts warning
5. Each chapter ends with a “Saintly Inspiration” and “Putting Faith in Practice” section #Inspiration followed by some really good #SpiritualHomework
6. I stink as a friend. No, I do. In fact, I once lost 4 friends in one fell swoop. That hurt, and you’d think it would make me a better friend, yet no. I have just been blessed with women in my life, who seem to have a high tolerance for my workaholic craziness and see something in me, that keeps them giving me second chances #truegodlyfriends.
7. Envy steals our joy! Comparison steals our peace. As my sweet friend Laure says, we compare our blooper reels to other people’s highlight reels. And Peggy spends a whole chapter reminding us of how we are hard on ourselves but each gifted and talented by God to accomplish what He calls us to #SpecialinOurOwnWay #EncourageOthers
8. Chapter 5 is titled, “Good Enough,” and includes some incredibly uplifting, encouraging, and affirming conversations about parenting — talk about comparison stealing your joy!! Peggy nails how I often struggle when I look back on my children’s younger days. MY list of coulda, shoulda, woulda is longer than Santa’s gift list!! This chapter made me chuckle, as I was once asked to write a CareNote entitled, “Being a Good Enough Parent,” for Abbey Press. I remember thinking, the editor read my blog and thought, this woman can write this, she’s good enough at raising kids. Ha ha. Like most people, and as Peggy points out, we get to a place of acceptance, realizing we did the best we could with what we knew/had. I can guarantee I won’t be writing, “Being the Bestest Parent Ever,” any time soon.
9. The “Stuff Enough” chapter convicted me not just for the amount of stuff I have accumulated over the years but more importantly, for the lack of sharing my blessings I do with others. I give, but not nearly as much or to causes, I should. Just look at the Corporal Works of Mercy to see how much more we are called by Christ to do on his behalf. All my stuff doesn’t change how much God loves me, so it is clearly time to focus less on shopping and more on sharing, helping, and blessing others. #PayitForward
10. Lent is coming. It is my favorite time of the year. Yep, I am not kidding. Although I learned so much in my hour and half with Enough as You Are, I think a good 40 days, would do me even better. #SupplementalLentReading CHECK!

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