Find joy today, Heal from the past

Good girls need Jesus

54 Comments 15 September 2011

I’m privileged to be able to share a new book with you. If you comment below, you have a chance to win the book, so please do! I love to bless folks with insightful, helpful books. This one’s entitled, Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. You can meet Emily here.

How many of you are good girls? (I know I have male readers here, so I’ll also ask, how many of you are good boys/men?) What I mean by that is do you equate your worth with how you act and what you do in the presence of others? How much of your life is shaped by the expectations of others, or the ones you put on yourself?

If this is an issue for you, Emily Freeman’s Grace for the Good Girl will become a good companion. Guess what? There is freedom in following Jesus! You don’t have to live up to a bunch of other-breathed standards. You have been freed to be fully you, different and unique from all those folks you compare yourself to. Emily helps us all become comfortable in our own skin, to thrive within our personalities, and gain freedom from stifling expectations.

She helps you deal with all those pesky shoulds.

If you’re dealing with frustration, fatigue, worry, or self-doubt, this book offers grace, grace, grace, and with that, hefty doses of freedom and joy and peace. Who couldn’t use some of that?

This book lives and breathes Galatians 5:1: “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

Read these endorsements (starting with mine):

“If you struggle with trying so hard, being so good, and hoping so much for joy and grace in the mundane, savor this book.”–Mary DeMuth, author of Thin Places: A Memoir

“It is such a joy for me to recommend Emily’s book to you. She has profoundly ministered to this recovering good girl.”–Angela Thomas, bestselling author and speaker

“Emily Freeman is one of those rare writers: profoundly biblical, lyrical, transparent–memorable. Her emancipating words on these pages offer the needed keys to all the good girls longing to take wing–and soar home to God’s heart.”–Ann Voskamp, New York Times bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts

Interested? Intrigued? Simply write a comment in the comment section to possibly win a copy. Revell has graciously offered THREE copies! :)

Q4u:

What do you need to be set free from right now? Please include your email address (written like this: mary @ MaryDeMuth dot com) so I can contact you if you’ve won. I’ll announce winners at the beginning of next week.

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  • MomOfFour

    I need to be set free from many self imposed expectations.. I would love to read this book!

    reaching5678 at yahoo dot com

  • http://faithhopecherrytea.blogspot.com/ FHC

    What do you need to be set free from right now?free from pressure to conform to religious expectations of others ~
    blstef1 at mts dot net
    thx for the opp for this book…

    • http://faithhopecherrytea.blogspot.comm/ FHC

      What do you need to be set free from right now?free from pressure to conform to religious expectations of others ~
      to shake off the dust of those who are not Peace loving…
      thx for the opp to enjoy the changes this book offers and as gift ~ bless you!

  • karenk

    oh, what a wonderful book…thank you for sharing it, mary.
    karenk/kmkuka at yahoo dot com

  • Linda Maynard

    Not sure if my email showed up…it is ljmaynard1@cox.net

  • Linda Maynard

    When I was young, I can remember my mother saying to me, after I had done something wrong…” Out of all my children, you are the last one I would have expected this from!”
    Her words were a set up for a Lifetime of being convinced that any caretaker I would have, would expect MORE of me than any other person. I thought this about the Lord for a long time…Yes, He would forgive you…but I was held to a higher standard…I know this is NOT true today!

  • Christie

    I am struggling to be set free from the idea that I have to be perfect as a mom. I’m learning to give myself grace, but I need all the help I can get!

    clcallihan @ msn dot com

  • kathleen

    I need to be set free from my expectations (I never meet them) and my insecurities- feeling like I’m not enough. I’m dying to read this book and wrap my mind around what Emily has to say. Thanks so much!

  • Sharonodegaard

    Grace — so simple yet I need to look at all its facets and never stop learning about it. Would love this book!

  • Deb aka Txmarm

    I need to be set free from insecurity and feeling trapped because MS has left me homebound and my 20 something kids have become resentful of taking care of me. I feel so helpless and frustrated because not only do I want to take care of myself I want to help them as I did so much as a single mom! I’m leaning on God’s Grace!

    txmarm@gmail.com

    • Linda Maynard

      Deb
      Your post just struck me deep in my heart. Is it ok if I pray for you?
      Lord, you so love your daughter Deb…she is cherished by You and You call her Your beloved one. Your word says that even though others may reject her You accept her just as she is. You are her greatest cheerleader and you see her heart and that’s what you respond to. She is never alone becasue You promise never to leave her or forsake her. Heal the rejected heart she has from the ways others view her. You have compassion on her as she struggles with her MS and all the daily challenges that it affords. Heal her deep within her soul of everything that has kept her bound. Help her to soar to heights that she has not previously known with You. Show her that she is settled and protected in the shadow of Your wings. Whisper affirming thoughts to her and be with her during the night as you sing sweet songs of deliverance over her. Send her protecting angels to watch over her. Let all that is good and acceptable and beautiful come to the surface of her mind. Let her be so reassured of Your love that rejection cannot have a hold on her heart.
      Amen and amen  

  • Debbie

    I need to be set free from trying to be the “perfect” mom….would love to read this book!!

    debbie.chum @ gmail dot com

  • Tracy

    Hi Mary, it’s my first time commenting. I’ve been reading your past posts for a few days now and you have inspired me to begin writing again.
    I need to be set free from my own high standards.

  • Elizabeth

    Up until recently, I put my worth and placed high expectations upon others.  Grace, Grace, Grace…it’s all about His grace to us.  I’d like to enter the drawing… Elizabeth Jones  elizabethlynnjones@yahoo.com

  • April

    Mary, It’s me- forgot to put my email addy (thanks for the reminder)  April- reese_del@msn.com  thanks!!!  hmm.. hope I didn’t mess up my chances by posting twice?

  • April

    Mary, It’s me- forgot to put my email addy (thanks for the reminder)  April- reese_del@msn.com  thanks!!!  hmm.. hope I didn’t mess up my chances by posting twice?

  • http://twitter.com/kalynbr00ke Kalyn Comings

    I need to be free from perfectionism! kalynbrooke @ gmail dot com

  • Kristi Hart

    I need freedom from frustration. We have a 2 1/2 year old foster son that we’ve been trying to adopt for 2 1/2 years now. Every time we come close, something comes up with the birth mother and the judge postpones everything. Praise God we still have the boy! But I’d love to be free from this whole process and be able to call this little boy my own.
    kristi.s.hart @ gmail dot come

  • Auntielaine

    I would like to be set free from feeling like I’m not “enough”.

    auntielaine at gmail dot com

  • Auntielaine

    I would like to be set free from feeling like I’m not “enough”.

    auntielaine at gmail dot com

  • Ppreacherswife

    I am learning not to be “everything” to “everyone”.  

    ppreacherswife at gmail dot com 

  • http://juliesunne.com Julie Sunne

    I am the “perfect” mom and the “perfect” everything–I must be! I must do it all perfectly! However, I am learning to live in God’s grace and for Him alone. But it is so hard!

  • http://wildlifeinthewoods.blogspot.com/ Susan in the Boonies

    I need to be set free from the fear that I am not good enough. Because, as we know, I’m not! Yet, even though my HEAD knows that no one is good enough, and that I am loved ANYWAY, well, it’s easy for me to believe that YOU are loved, anyway. But me? Not so much.
     susan.in.the.boonies  @  gmail dot com

  • Becky

    I need to be free from myself.
    Becky
    rahastings @ juno dot com

  • http://profiles.google.com/lindsey.m.bell Lindsey Bell

    I want to be set free from the pain of the past. Thanks for the opportunity:)
    lindsey.m.bell@hotmail dot com

  • http://thecalmofhispresence.blogspot.com/ Mary@The Calm of His Presence

    I want to be set free from living the expectations of others. ~ Mary
    mboswell98 @ bellsouth dot net

  • http://bahava.wordpress.com Katy

    hmmmmm the first one that comes to mind is this: set free from comparison.
    kigkat @ gmail dot com

  • Trezlen

    I want to be set free from apathy.

    trezlen @ gmail dot com

  • Kathy Rutherford

    That book looks amazing.  I am always taken aback by God’s timing in showing me things but I know I shouldn’t be….. perfect timing.

  • http://www.cranberryteatime.com Rachel Lundy

    I need to be set free from the expectations that others put on me.  I never can keep up with them all.  Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway! cranberryteatime @ hotmail dot com

  • http://faithfullyhome.blogspot.com Melissa

    I need to be set free from my unrealistic expectations for myself.

    melissa dot tomko at gmail dot com

  • http://www.arock4him.blogspot.com Amy Hunt

    Oh, the Heavens know…I need to be set free from the longing for everyone to be content with me, and not to cringe with anxiety over wondering “what did I do?” and internalizing my own wrongs as the reasons why relationships are they way they are, or why someone is upset at me. I never feel good enough, though I try. Ugh. I thought I was over all of this…and He shows me it’s a constant need–His freedom!

    amy dot rockwell dot hunt at gmail dot net. 

    I so much can’t wait to read this book!

  • Brynn

    Fear. Most definitely fear. That’s what I long, need, crave to be free from.

  • Minnows2

    I need to lose my perfectionist tendencies and judgement of others that don’t do things the way I would.  That’s a tough one to admit!  And really, the judgement part of that sentence–just came to me!  Wow!  Anyway, would love the book and know I could learn a lot more traits that I just need to let go of.  My grip has been tight. 
    Charlene
    minnows2 @ verizon dot net

  • Julie

    What do I need to be set free from?  I would say worry.  I am a worry wart/ what-if’er.  Two people have suggested this book to me in the last 2 days….so I have been wanting to check it out!  Thank you so much for the opportunity!

    Julie
    dreamwalking123 @ aol dot com

  • Former Church Fanatic

    I would love to win this book.
    llmom27 @ gmail dot com

  • http://www.amydaniels.com Amy H. Daniels

    Same song about to sing my 41st verse. Hope & freedom for a groaning good girl? I need me some of that!

  • Linda

    I am caregiver to elderly parents, have been to a very ill daughter for many years and now I fear I might become my husband’s caregiver in the future.  It is a fear so strong that it is beginning to cripple me.  I feel I just cannot handle another job as a caregiver, especially to one that has been my helpmate for over 41 years.  Sounds like I book I might be able to use!
    Linda
    lvtig1 @ gmail dot com

  • Jennifer

    struggling in the in between of trying to have it all together and yet trying to be spontaneous at the same time.  i end up in that stagnant area many times.  sometimes i think just doing something will lead to the next step, and the next and the next…

    jennifer
    ciarletta@comcast.net

  • Karen W

    I have a fear of failing. Growing up I never felt like anything I did was good enough for my mom. Even as a mom of my own family she was critical of me. At 52 I still don’t try new things. I know God is trying to stretch me in this area.  I feel like something good is just around the corner but I’m afraid to step off the curb and walk in that direction.
    kredwill @ gmail dot com

  • Sarah Hawkins

    I need to be set free from my fears and the many worries that scream “Sarah YOU will NEVER ‘get there!’” I just want to find my direction in life, and rest assured that HE will lead me there. 

    EvenstarHeart{at}gmail{dot}com

  • Monica

    I have struggled with perfection for a long time. . .made some progress but not free. I feel many shoulds. . .I should do this or do that more as I care for my friends/family. This book looks so good to me and has been on my wish list since I first saw it!
     dmhizer @msn dot com

  • Terri

    batesterri @ gmail dot com
    Thanks!

  • Terri

    Set free from pride and thinking I don’t need Jesus…..
    Would love to read this book!

  • Dorci

    Where do I start?  I’ll start with fear of rejection. 
    Thanks,
    groovychick44 @ yahoo dot com

  • Dorci

    Where do I start?  I’ll start with fear of rejection. 
    Thanks,
    groovychick44 @ yahoo dot com

  • Sara.

    I’m not sure I will ever be able to satin a good girl. I’m frustrated, tired and some times very unworthy.

  • Sara.

    I’m not sure I will ever be able to satin a good girl. I’m frustrated, tired and some times very unworthy.

  • http://www.gettingdownwithjesus.com Jennifer@GDWJ

    Just adding my two-thumbs-up here. No need to enter me in the drawing; I’m already halfway through my own. :)

  • Devotionmama

    Tough question.  Probably the idea of being the perfect mother who does everything?    devotionmama @ gmail dot com

  • April

    I want to get my hands on this book!!  cannot wait to read it. 

    • http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

      Please share your email addy.

  • Jill hoke

    Sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to read it.

    • http://www.marydemuth.com Mary DeMuth

      Jill, please share your email addy.

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