Books I've Read This Year

I just finished my 50th book so far this year (technically, I started and in a couple cases finished some during Christmas Break which began in late December).  Here's a list of what I've read so far this year. My favorites are bolded -- this is a lot more variety and fiction than I usually read, but I've enjoyed the variation.

1. Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey
2. Bittersweet by Shauna Niequest
3. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo
4. Anything by Jennie Allen
5. My One Word by Mike Ashcraft
6. Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
7. Undaunted by Christine Caine
8. Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? (and Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
9. Grace, Gold, and Glory by Gabrielle Douglas
10. Wednesdays were Pretty Normal by Michael Kelley
11. Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
12. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
13. Divergent by Veronica Roth
14. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
15. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
16. A Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership by Stephen B Sample
17. The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
18. Akaine- Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry by Akaine Kramarik
19. I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
20. Murder in the Yoga Store by Peter Ross Range
21. Sex and the Single Christian Girl: Fighting for Purity in a Rom Com World by Marian Jordan Ellis
22. Jumping through Fires: the Gripping Story of One Man’s Escape from Revolution to Redemption by David Nasser
23. 7 Keys to Prophetic Maturity by Sam Medina
24. Learning to Love: Passion, Compassion, and the Essence of the Gospel by Heidi Baker
25. Amazed and Confused by Heather Zempel
26. God Smuggler by Brother Andrew
27. 7 Men by Eric Metaxes
28. Theodore Roosevelt by Lewis L. Gould
29. Comedy Driven Leadership: Think Like a Comedian, Move Forward Like a Leader by Jonathan Herron
30. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
31. Holy Spirit: an Introduction by John Bevere
32. Forgotten God by Francis Chan
33. They Speak with Other Tongues by John Sherrill
34. Culture of Honor: Sustaining a Supernatural Environment by Danny Silk
35. Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequest
36. Free in Christ: A Complete Handbook for Spiritual Deliverance by Pablo Bottari
37. Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze
38. Moment Maker by Carlos Whittaker
39. Singing through the Night: Courageous Stories of Faith from Women in the Persecuted Church by Anneke Companjen
40. Wonder by RJ Palicio (+ the Julian chapter)
41. Switch on Your Brain: the Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Caroline Leaf
42. The Fault in our Stars by John Green
43. Gladys Aylward: the Little Woman by Gladys Aylward
44. The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson with John and Elizabeth Sherril
45. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
46. When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
47. Beyond the Ancient Door by James A. Duhram
48. Chasing God: One Man’s Miraculous Journey in the Heart of the City by Roger Huang
49. Unveiling Grace: The Story of How We Found our Way out of the Mormon Church by Lynn K. Wilder
50. The Life and Prayers of Joan of Arc by Wyatt North

Not looking back

A friend who is in the midst of life and career transitions asked she could pick my brain about career stuff.  While I happily agreed, I thought it a bit ironic since I feel like the only advice I feel qualified to give at this point is about how to light a match to your career and watch it go up in flames.  I wasn't sure what exactly to expect or what I had to offer.  I just prayed and left the results of our coffee date up to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, He did not fail (duh uh).  The meeting went well.  It was validating to hear that not everyone buys into the notion of a swanky, prestigious career over more traditional priorities.  I felt understood hearing how she struggled with all of the demands that she felt pulling her in different directions, and how she fundamentally refused to be defined by a career or a position above her values, faith, or sense of obligation to those she cared about.

Near the end of the meeting, she asked me a question that I hadn't thought of before.  She asked, "Sarah, do you ever look back and question your decision to walk away?"

To my surprise, I had zero hesitation and I knew the answer immediately.

"No,"  I responded confidently.

To be honest, I was surprised.  Even in the most confusing, toughest times of waiting out the uncertainty, I never questioned my decision to leave my job.  There were definitely times where I mourned the loss of a life plan and the faulty illusion that I used to have that I was in control of my life and where it was going.  However, even in the toughest times I never once thought, "OMG this was a mistake."

What a gracious thing that the Lord used to reassure me that I am walking on the path that He has for me.  While I have no idea where it's going or what lies ahead, I trust that the Lord has me on His path.  I trust that I am walking in the plan that He has for me and that that they are good -- even when I don't understand them or even know what they are.

And I am grateful to realize that even at my most confused and frustrated and impatient, I do not look back.  May my trust continue to grow as I walk in the plans He has for me.  May I wait with confident expectation, knowing that even the most shocking, unlikely, difficult things do not catch Him by surprise.  May I wholeheartedly believe to the absolute core of who I am that He will work all things together for my good as I love Him and walk in the call He has on my life.