You have a choice

Happy New Year!

I’m doing something a little different today: I’m posting a book review I wrote about Robin McGraw’s book “Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose.” This post is more for my female readers, but I encourage everyone to read it.

Enjoy.

When I’ve watched Robin McGraw with her husband, Dr. Phil, on television, she appeared to be a centered person and a down-to-earth woman. That’s why when her book, “Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose,” was released last year I had to get a copy and read about this woman for myself.

Not only is “Inside My Heart” an easy-to-read book, but among Robin’s life story are lessons every woman should learn. The primary one being that we – as women – have a choice. We shouldn’t just ride along on life’s highway and allow others’ choices and decisions dictate our lives. Robin relays this by giving examples of some of the things that happened in her life: From something as seemingly small as not letting a bank employee tell her she didn’t make a deposit when she knew that she had to watching her mother refuse to let a group of drunken men into their home to take their furniture. (This was after her father, who was an alcoholic, had gambled it away.)

She says it was instances like those that allowed her, and allows her, to make choices about her life. Including not being involved with a man who drinks (Dr. Phil doesn’t drink at all) or being bullied by someone into believing something she knows isn’t true and standing up for herself.

One of the important things that I gather about Robin making choices in her life is that she does it with the grace of a woman and the spirit of Christ. “Inside My Heart” allows a brief glimpse into the life a woman who we only know through television and in the process it teaches us a few things about being a woman first as well as a wife and a mom. With a little sprinkling here and there on how others should treat you and loving the life you’re living.

Robin says, “My wish is for you to perceive, as I do, the presence of God within us and around us and feel the love He feels for us all. I want to get you excited about whatever phase of life you’re in, excited about being a woman in this day and time, excited about being the woman that God created you to be. And it’s all there for the choosing, because I believe in the core of my soul that how you live, how I live, how we all live as women is largely a matter of choice.”

Now why would I post this review here? If you’ve kept up with my entries then you know I have a reason for everything. Well, just about everything. I wanted to impress upon the women about making a choice when it comes to having sex outside of marriage. A lot of women get into situations where they are afraid their boyfriend or significant other will leave them if they aren’t putting out. You know what I mean: Giving up the goods. Ladies, don’t fall for the lines: “I thought you loved me.” Or “I really need you.” And the killer: “Let’s just be friends.” All because you don’t want to have sex.

Don’t be pressured. Don’t be afraid to be alone. Honestly, if a man is going to use that against you then he may not be the man for you. Most likely he isn’t. And if he happens to be the man God has for you then he’ll come back to you the right way.

Remember: You want to be in relationship with someone who has the same beliefs and commitments that you do. Don’t get into a relationship with a man who doesn’t believe in being celibate before marriage. And if you’re already in a relationship, ask God for guidance in bringing that relationship into order or eliminating it from your life.

Make a choice! I know it’s easier said then done, but your spiritual, emotional and physical well being is on the line.

I love you!

“The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice.” – George Eliot