I'm starting to get really excited about the Bittersweet (by Shauna Niequist) Giveaway that begins tomorrow (August 18) on this very blog. I do believe that it is my first giveaway. I've entered plenty of giveaways (mostly at The Pioneer Woman) and have not even come close to winning. I have a feeling that I won't have 27,854 comments/entries like PW does. I'm thinking we'll be in the "under 20,000 entries" range. So, if you're shy about trying for the prize, don't be - the winner of a signed copy of Bittersweet along with a box of handmade truffles from Jessica Foster Confections truly could be you!
Today's excerpt from Bittersweet is from the chapter titled Things I Don't Do. I thought I'd give you just a taste of things that Shauna does do - I'm skipping around a bit, don't want to blurt out the entire list. I'm inspired to make my own list after reading through hers. Much more helpful to me than the list of Things I Do - that list used to be sort of out of control, is getting better, but I really want to challenge you and me to make our own list of "Things I Don't Do!"
"...above all else, I try to keep my faith in Christ at the very center of my life, the heart and source of everything. I trust God's voice as my guide and Christ as my comforter. I pray, Practice confession and forgiveness, and I seek to see the world through the eyes of its Creator, believing everything can be redeemed. I'm a part of my church community, volunteering on its behalf, and working to make a better city and a better world because of our church community...I work hard to become a better writer with each page. I want to tell the truth as best I can, to tell the story of God and who he is and what he does, both through the way I write and the way I live...I live in daily, honest, intimate community with a small group of people. I give my time and energy and prayer to my immediate family and close friends. To a slightly wider circle of people, I give them my love and friendship through intermittent emails and very occasional visits..."
Come back tomorrow for the Bittersweet Giveaway - hope you win!