“So, want to rent that storage unit?”
My friend and I sat on my couches and dreamed once more of starting life all over. No “stuff” dragging us down. Clean, organized houses. It would be glorious.
I’m pretty sure we called for prices.
Alas, somewhere in the mix, our more sane husbands put the kibosh on our extreme family makeovers. Man, it could have been the coolest reality show, too—achievable by anyone instead of taj-ma-houses like the home show.
I’ll confess something else here, while I’m being totally transparent and real. I even signed up for an online “life coach” kind of thing. I was desperate for someone to kick me in the butler.
Okay, that’s a lie. I didn’t know it until right now, but yeah. Total lie. You know what I wanted? I wanted someone to do it for me.
Fifteen years later, no one has volunteered. And that life coach? She’s probably still shaking her head.
Fifteen years, people. If somewhere in there (about 6 years ago), I hadn’t said, “forget this” and started taking charge, I’d still be wondering “when will my life begin.”
Fine. That’s a ridiculous exaggeration, but hey. It had a catchy song to go with it, so I went for it. Thank you Rapunzel.
Still, when Celebrate Lit popped up with Dare to Begin Again as a review offering, I requested one within seconds.
Did I think it would change my life? Um, no. Did I think the book would do it for me? Double no. With an exclamation point on top instead of a cherry. Did I think I’d learn life-changing principles I’d never heard before?
Nope, None, nada, nuttin’.
But did I think it might kick that butler into gear and remind me that I still have unfinished parts of me I’ve been meaning to work on?
Oh, yeah.
Note: links are likely affiliates which provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book and chose to review it after reading.
Why Should You Dare to Begin Again Right Now?
Because we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. That means if we don’t do those things we know we need to do today, we’re “burying that talent” for some other day. A day that may never come. We’re called to live this gift of a life now!
And that’s what Dare to Begin Again is all about. Within the pages, you’ll find a balance of Biblical stories and contemporary anecdotes to illustrate one simple truth.
Life requires risk.
Look, we all have areas where we need to start over. It may be our health, our relationships, dreams the Lord laid on our hearts, or simply our trust in Him—in the One we should trust the most!
Dare to Begin Again is a quiet but enthusiastic call to that re-starting point. It’s as if we’re in a swimming race and we jumped the gun. So, we climb back up on the diving board, settle into position and… sit there? Indefinitely as everyone else jumps in and races?
Not hardly. We dive again. And unlike the Olympics and other official racing organizations, if we muff it again, we start over. Again. And again. One more time? Sure!
That’s what this book is all about.
No, you won’t find tons of insights in here that you’ve never heard. And I think that’s good. There’s so much we already know that we don’t apply that more is just overwhelming.
What Ms. Rivera does is reminds us with her pointed “D.A.R.E.s” that we’re to take action. Now.
Because we’re not promised tomorrow.
Who do I recommend this book for? Anyone who knows they have things to accomplish that they’ve been putting off.
I have one very minor caveat. In just a couple of places, Ms. Rivera does recount instances where God “speaks to her” in about things not spoken of in the Bible—very personal to her alone. If that bothers you, it should be noted that it is in here. It’s minor, and while that can really bother me, this time it hardly registered because it wasn’t her calling us to demand those words from the Lord.
Note: this book is crazy expensive, so I recommend you request your library to purchase it. That way, others get the benefit and your pocket saves a few bucks.
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