Own your life : living with deep intention, bold faith, and generous love

257 Pages·2014·0.94 MB·English

by  Sally Clarkson

If you’ve ever wondered what a life well lived looks like, you’ll find the secret
between the pages of this book. Sally Clarkson generously opens up her story
with the hospitality of a mentor, a mother, and a friend wrapped into one. On
these pages you’ll discover inspiring examples of what life to the full can look
like when you are fully surrendered to Christ.
LISA-JO BAKER
Author of Surprised by Motherhood and community manager for (in)courage
Since the time my children were babies, I have been so challenged by reading
Sally Clarkson’s writings. She’s inspired me to embrace each day, find simple
ways to cultivate beauty in my home, and take time to invest in myself so that I
can better nurture and bless my family. If you are a busy woman who longs to
live with meaning and purpose, you’ll be blessed by reading Own Your Life. It’s
packed with heartfelt encouragement and practical strategies to help you savor
life more and make each moment count.
CRYSTAL PAINE
New York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and founder
of MoneySavingMom.com
Sally is a woman teeming with wisdom and zest for life, and they’re contagious
both in her presence and in her written words. Every moment I’ve shared with
her has been a blessing, and it’s an honor for all of us that she so graciously
shares her life lessons and timeless truths in her writing.
TSH OXENREIDER
Author of Notes from a Blue Bike
Life was made to be lived with purpose. But sometimes our busy and broken
lives get in the way of our intentions. Own Your Life is more than an
inspirational book; it’s a guidebook to living a life that matters.
KRISTEN WELCH
Author of Rhinestone Jesus; http://wearethatfamily.com
Sally writes with as much compassion and concern as she displays when chatting
with a dear friend. She and her husband have an abundance of experience,
including thirty years of marriage, parenting, world travel, and more, and the
interesting personal stories Sally shares provide solid, incredibly applicable
wisdom. As she intimately draws you into each story, her words will break down
the barriers that keep you from owning your life and will motivate you to fulfill
your God-given purpose.
JENNIFER SMITH
Author of The Unveiled Wife and founder of Unveiledwife.com
Too often we get caught up in the daily chaos, and we miss the realization that
we’re leaving a legacy. Own Your Life shows readers how to live the God-
shaped destiny designed for them. Living for God’s Kingdom and glory is
something Sally Clarkson does with all that she is . . . and now her caring, wise
voice guides readers on how to do the same. This book is perfect to read with a
friend or small group. Highly recommended!
TRICIA GOYER
Author of forty-five books, including Balanced
This book, rich with the wisdom of a life lived intentionally, is a gift to women
of all ages. It’s the tool we need to ask God what He wants us to dream for Him
and how He wants us to live that dream. Sally emboldens and equips us to make
faith-filled choices and to live with generous love, no matter what the cost. She
meets us where we are—in the hard places of real life—and gently leads us to
where God waits to mold us into our best selves.
ELIZABETH FOSS
Author of Real Learning and coauthor of Small Steps for Catholic Moms; www.elizabethfoss.com
Sally Clarkson has always been such an incredible inspiration to me as I’ve
fumbled along this path of parenting, and I count myself blessed to have her
words and wisdom mentor me along the way. Once again, Sally has written a
book full of godly advice and wisdom, pointing us to the ultimate example and
mentor of all. As I read Own Your Life, I found myself feeling as though I was
cozied up on Sally’s couch with a warm cup of tea, soaking up every bit of
motherly and yet godly wisdom on how to truly live a beautiful life of balance
and purpose.
SUMMER SALDANA
Writer/blogger at SummerSaldana.com
Visit Tyndale online at www.tyndale.com.
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Visit Sally Clarkson at www.SallyClarkson.com.
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Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love
Copyright © 2014 by Sally Clarkson. All rights reserved.
Some content first appeared at www.itakejoy.com.
Cover photograph of flower copyright © Alan Shapiro/Stocksy. All rights reserved.
Cover texture copyright © pondkungz/Shutterstock. All rights reserved.
Designed by Jennifer Phelps
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible,® copyright © 1960, 1962,
1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by
Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version,® NIV.® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984,
2011 by Biblica, Inc.® (Some quotations may be from the earlier NIV edition, copyright © 1984.) Used by permission. All rights
reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,® copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009
by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible,® Holman CSB,® and HCSB® are federally
registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clarkson, Sally.
Own your life : living with deep intention, bold faith, and generous love / Sally Clarkson.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-4143-9128-1 (sc)
1. Christian life. 2. Christian women—Religious life. I. Title.
BV4501.3.C527 2014
248.4—dc23 2014036432
ISBN 978-1-4964-0346-9 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-9129-8 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-0347-6 (Apple)
Build: 2014-11-18 10:00:51
COMING HOME TO GOD: FINDING YOUR
PART IN HIS STORY
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.
PSALM 46:1-2
“Mama, the world seems like a very scary place, and it makes me feel powerless.
I am afraid I will be so lonely and insecure without friends and family around
me.”
Joy, my daughter, would be leaving the next day to study in Oxford,
England, and we had just finished zipping her last suitcase shut. She had been
looking forward to her semester abroad as a great adventure and inspiring
opportunity. Yet as we were packing that day, a second American journalist had
been beheaded by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The media was also
talking about terrorist threats to England and the United States. Between that
news and the devastating reports of earthquakes, war, and immorality among
Christian leaders, Joy was understandably feeling overwhelmed. Of course, as a
mom, those same thoughts and fears had run through my mind.
“Can we have one last time together out on the grass, under the stars?” she
pleaded. “I need some peace before I go to bed.” She knew that it was late and
that we were both exhausted after getting all the details in place for her flight
and for spending three months away from home.
“Yes, my sweet precious,” I whispered, calling her by the special nickname I
use whenever we have heart-to-heart talks. “We will make one more memory
together!”
As was our habit, we took some soft, old blankets out to our front yard and
lay next to each other under the tall pines, shoulder to shoulder on the grass. A
dog barked and the cold mountain air blew gently across the aspen leaves in the
distance, but otherwise, the night was clear and quiet. Silently sharing the
moment, we gazed up. Stars filled the navy-blue sky and sparkled as though just
for us. We breathed out the life clutter of the day and inhaled the peacefulness of
for us. We breathed out the life clutter of the day and inhaled the peacefulness of
the grandeur above us.
“Mama, when I look at what God has done and keep my eyes on Him, my
fears seem to melt away,” Joy whispered as she snuggled closer.
Our family, which includes five authors, is truly philosophical, a people of
words. God’s voice seemed to be speaking through my own heart as well. In our
last moments together, I wanted to lift Joy up to Him, to leave her with courage,
and to assure her of the One who would care for her.
“Joy, this vast display of stars and all the galaxies beyond have been held in
place by the sure, strong hands of God for thousands of years—through wars,
tragedies, and disasters of every kind. Not one year of our history has shaken the
power or control of God.
“Our God, who created this beauty for us to behold and who has shown His
power through the calm night skies, wants to fill you from the tip of your toes to
the top of your head with the very same energy that created all of this—the Spirit
who threw the night sky into place—so that you will know His full
companionship, love, beauty, and wisdom each step in your journey ahead.
“God has prepared a story for you to live. There will be many in Oxford who
will long to know His love, something perhaps only you can show them. Others,
looking for meaning, will need the messages of His truth that are stored in your
soul. Those you meet who are filled with fear and despair will need your hope
and faith. Teachers will be there to sharpen your mind so you can become a
more excellent message maker. Beauty will be strewn across your path so you
can observe His fingerprints. I know that if you embrace the days ahead, no
matter what they hold, your time in Oxford will be significant and purposeful.
You are a chosen one, and I know wherever you go you will bring His light and
love.
“My sweet precious, you will always have a choice to make. If you look at
the darkness and fear, you will grow dark in your soul. But if you look to God
and trust Him with your days, you will reflect His reality in all of your words,
your relationships, your work, and your celebrations. Don’t look at the fear; just
keep the memory of this night and His power and beauty always before your
eyes and ever in your thoughts. And of course you know that you will be in my
heart and in my prayers constantly.”
If you, like Joy, sometimes feel fearful, alone, lost, or overwhelmed, my
If you, like Joy, sometimes feel fearful, alone, lost, or overwhelmed, my
desire is that this book will encourage you to own your life and to live out your
part of His story. I share the truths I have learned by walking hand in hand with
God for many years.
I dedicate this book to my precious children—Sarah, Joel, Nathan, and Joy—
and to all who need to know that they are not invisible to God. I want you to
know that He loves you and is at work in your life, that He has designed your
days and moments to be filled with significance, and that He has created you to
tell a story. May He bless and strengthen your hearts and faith as you read the
pages ahead.