Thoughts from the Sally Clarkson Own Your Life Webcast

First off, today’s my youngest’s 12th birthday! We’re celebrating by a special lunch and shopping.

Last night I watched Sally Clarkson’s webcast for her new book Own Your Life. (There are big giveaways on her blog including a trip to one of her Whole Heart Mom Intensives! How fun would that be!?)

I’ve really benefitted from her wisdom over the years in the homeschooling arena of life and I appreciate her zeal and intentional approach to parenting. And although we would not be in complete agreement in several areas, I’ve learned so much from her over the years and thank God that she gets her “hands dirty” and serves others in the deep areas of our soul, instead of staying on the “safe” surface.

I’ve not read Own Your Life yet, so I can’t speak about it intelligently. But there were some great truths in the book endorsement webcast that resonated with me.

Crystal of Money Saving Mom said that women should take time to do what refreshes your soul so you can come back and serve your family well. YES. I couldn’t agree more. The strain becomes obvious to everyone around you. I am a much better person all around when I take time to do things I love: lunch with friends, write, paint, and look at beautiful things, be it teacups, neatly stacked ribbons or freshly laundered antique linens in an antique shop.

Crystal also mentioned that having a circle of “close friends” is imperative. She qualified these friends: they speak truth into your life.

So often, people only want you to hear the good. She appreciates it when people notice and tell her when she’s going the wrong way. These are truly the rarest and best types of friend. “Friends” who can’t/won’t receive criticism or really any negative feedback without feeling persecuted are not friends at all. We are wise to cultivate the true friendships, where mutual respect and truth reins. You can judge a true friend by the way they accept criticism from you and by how happy they are for you when you succeed, and vice versa!

From Angela of Loving God Greatly: First off, does she not have the most contagious smile? She kept bringing it back to “Get into the Word”–such great encouragement.

From Sarah Mae of SarahMae.com: You don’t need permission to step out and do what God calls you to do and is clearly giving you a driving passion to do. God does give us the desires we should have when we are walking in step with His word. I love this about Sarah Mae–this past year she taught by what she didn’t do, and that was to blog. She poured her life into a daughter she felt was struggling a bit, and by her online silence, set an example for many. I love how she left public ministry for her sweet daughter, yes, I do.

Anyway, if you want to enter to win goodies, including this book, head over to Sally Clarkson.com