Finding contentment…… Isn’t that a goal that many of us have? In fact, we have an entire holiday centered around gratitude, happiness, and counting our blessings. I’m sure you’ve heard that statistic that X% of people are unhappy with their lives, blaming it on social media and their friends’ oversharing. Social media has become almost necessary in this era of insta-information. Everyone seems to use it; in fact, I’ve asked parents of a team I sponsor to register for a private site that will update them with practice information. Social media tends to draw out the best in us, yet results in the worst feelings. What gives? Kay Wills Wyma has a way of telling me just what I need to hear, when I need to hear it. She did it with Cleaning House (my sister in law still raves about that book), and she did it again. When I read my review copy of I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really,) I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at some of the situations she described. It’s SO ME!! Kay’s hilarious in a girlfriend chat kind of way, and understands the needs of today’s mom.
One thing that can whip a woman back to reality faster than hurricane wind is raising a teen daughter. You might think everything is okay…you might even think you’re a decent parent. Then WHAM! Out of nowhere, your daughter’s hormones morph into something in need of exorcism. My words to her tend to take a more frantic tone as I try to calm her down, insisting that she looks beautiful or that she didn’t really embarrass herself because SHEESH NO ONE NOTICED THAT YOU ALMOST TRIPPED. In her book, Kay made me realize that God feels that way about my insecurities. How many times have I avoided the chance to invite someone over because I was worried about the lack of décor on my walls? Why do I allow my envy or self-conscious thoughts to steal my joy?
In my life, we also have the issue of Everything Shared Must Be True. This phenomenon works for in-real-life people as well as social media. Again, my daughter taught me this little tidbit. She has friends who get new clothes every day, have unlimited data plans, and have the best boyfriends. All of it must be true, because they said. Right? Again, Kay has a tasty morsel to help us deal with the ESMBT problem. It’s called awareness of The Glimpse. According to Kay, The Glimpse is what happens when we see a tiny snippet of someone’s life….a moment in time, really. We don’t know what’s going on outside of The Glimpse, but we jump to conclusions about the perfection of the situation. We somehow want The Glimpse for ourselves. Any of this sound familiar?
I hope you’ll take the time to read I’m Happy For You and take contentment to heart. Kay’s words are meaningful in so many ways, but the best part is that it’s all free and available. One lucky reader will win a copy of the book. Just read on to the end of the post and enter!
Author Brennan Manning brought in many outside sources, including C. S. Lewis and Flannery O’Conner. He also referenced lots of other writers and works that I’ve never heard of. So many vignettes and personal experiences are mentioned in the book that it’s a veritable treasure trove for ministers! My favorite story was about Fiorella LaGuardia’s grand moment, where he blessed a criminal granny after she stole bread for her starving grandchildren.
Manning referred to his own struggle with alcoholism, explaining that the downfall happened after he became a Christian. By taking his eyes off Jesus, he opened himself up to sin. Sometimes people are misguided into thinking that Christians don’t make mistakes. That’s simply not true, and Manning isn’t afraid to admit it. He calls this legalism, and it makes perfect sense to me. I’ve been victim of my own mind’s legalism when it comes to Christianity. The expectations I don’t meet, the guilt that riddles my heart, and the judgment that falls on my shoulders…it’s all put there by ME. Not by God.
Note that the word “hell” and “ass” are used in slang contexts several times in this book. It’s always in a justifiable circumstance, but it still makes me cringe when I think of my grandmother reading it (I always send her my faith-based books). I seriously considered marking out the profanity, but couldn’t bring myself to write in the book. There goes the legalism again! In closing, Manning makes the Christian life so real. He’s so frank, honest, and true. Before you crack open the spine of the book, be sure to make your heart understand that it might break a little. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Now, for the giveaway! It’s open to US/CAN readers ages 18+. Void where prohibited by law. Please read the sponsor giveaway rules below. Good luck!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
The book appears to be about being jealous of others.
I learned she has another book called Cleaning House
This book is about how comparisons with others is undermining our relationships.
I like the idea of getting away from comparing ourselves and everyone. We need to be us. Sounds like a good concept.
The author endeavors to teach us contentment rather than comparisons.
The author also wrote a book called Cleaning House.
The book talks about the entitlement mentality in kids. I see that in a lot of adults, too!