The girls, they come every Sunday night. For two hours, we sit together. Most times I feel lost, like I don’t know what I’m doing. I love them, but how to love them well? I don’t fully know.
I listen. They listen to each other. They talk about school, homework mostly. We eat dinner, dessert, laugh. It all feels normal now.
But this is their senior year.
A few years from now, we’ll look back and say remember when we used to eat together every Sunday night? That was a lifetime ago. We live so many lives in one.
And here’s something interesting. This whole I-wrote-a-book-for-high-school-girls thing gets complicated when I am also a small group leader. I am completely uncomfortable leading my own small group through my own book.
So girls, look at page 47 when I told this story about me and my big self.
It just feels weird and awkward to me.
I probably need to get over myself, but I just can’t seem to figure out how to make that feel normal.
Instead, I do it for you. The small group leader guide? The one that ate me for lunch and dinner? It’s ready.
If you are a small group leader and are planning to lead your girls through Graceful, I have a 14 page resource for you to use if you would like. Here it is:
Download the Graceful Small Group Leader Guide for free
If you want to tell the youth pastor or small group leader at your church about the book, you can download and print this flyer to give to them. Or you can forward them the link.
But wait. There’s more! Today Annie and I are over at (in)courage with a sweet giveaway. There is a short video where we talk about the hard part of writing books for teen girls but also why we love it so much.
And last but not least, because I clearly have no shame, I leave you with Finn, because a dog has to be good for something. (Remember Finn? Yeah. We still have him).
Grace for the good dog.
Finn = hilarious! Life = “I probably need to get over myself.” You make me smile
Grace for the good dog…I’m dying. : ) You are too funny.
Scooper´s last [type] ..Because Adolescent Bad Hair Can Make You a Better Mom
love that you included Finn!
Ahahaha, are you writing dog books next? Great guide, thanks…
Lisa´s last [type] ..Dieting Breakthrough
I so get you! And, I LOVE the dog humor!
Jolene @ The Alabaster Jar´s last [type] ..A Letter to My 16 Year Old Self
What a beautiful thing you have provided for these girls. Dinner and community every Sunday night … wow.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..A Packing Maniac
Thank you so much Emily for the guide. I bought the book and now I intend to use the guide with my daughter and her friends. The timing is perfect.
Wanda Vanderveen´s last [type] ..on losing a friend to {cancer}
Yes, getting over ourselves is hard. At least I know getting over myself is anyway! But what I love and had to comment on? What you said about posting the adorable picture of Finn… that CLEARLY YOU HAVE NO SHAME. Did you even catch it? : ) I know that isn’t really what you meant, but I pray it continues to be so anyway for you and every girl who reads your words – because with God’s Grace, we are to clearly live free of shame. : ) Hallelujah!
And Grace for the good dog? That’s just priceless. : )
Melissa May´s last [type] ..S T R E T C H
hello emily.
i am a regular reader over at fpfg and commented there when you so generously donated two of your books- don’t know if she or you picked me, but i am THANKFUL for having been picked! i am so looking forward to reading it and have a sneaking suspicion that i’ll be purchasing quite a few to send to all my gf who have tween/teens. i’m downloading the flyer to give to the youth small group leaders at my church too…
hope you have a great october with your travels!
rebecca @ beurrista´s last [type] ..pb & chocolate chip cups
Adorable pup and pose!
Jenn´s last [type] ..Greeting Card Idea
I also meant to tell you that I enjoyed reading your “about”. Love the way you describe yourself and that you describe yourself in that way. Sometimes, it’s just nice to hear someone say that kind of thing.
Looks like you’ve done a few books! Congrats.
Enjoyed my visits. Thank you.
Jenn´s last [type] ..Greeting Card Idea
I forgot to check the box for notification on new posts – so that means I’ve been here on this post 3 times. All in one place. Sorry about that!
Jenn
Jenn´s last [type] ..Greeting Card Idea