#TellHisStory Featured Writer: Emily Wierenga (And a Giveaway!)
During 2013, dozens of talented writers are joining me to cheer you on in your storytelling. These guest-writers will share a few helpful words with you right here every Tuesday night, to encourage you as you #TellHisStory. (Come back after midnight Wednesday to link up your God Story by clicking here. You are free to share ANY story that God lays on your heart.)
And now, I’m delighted to introduce you to my good friend, author Emily Wierenga.
More than conveying a message, I seek to convey a feeling through my writing.
And if that feeling does not revolve around peace or joy or contentment or praise, around repentance or conviction or forgiveness or compassion, if it is not inspiring a fruit of the spirit and instead, evoking emotions that could potentially lead readers to sin or temptation, then I believe I have failed as a writer who is a Christ follower.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, all of my words, whether scribbled down in my blog or in an article or in a book, have one responsibility, and that is to inspire the coming of the kingdom. This does not mean my book needs to be a Christian book, or published by a Christian publisher. It means my attitude, when writing it, and the main message of the story, needs to further people on their journey towards discovering the love of Jesus.
Emily Wierenga is a wife, mother, artist and the author of Chasing Silhouettes: How to help a Loved One Battling an Eating Disorder, and Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy (releasing Mother’s Day 2013). For more info, please visit www.emilywierenga.com.
And now a beautiful giveaway!
This week, we are giving away a copy of Emily’s new book, Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy. Along with the book, the winner will receive a ViBella Jewelry bookmark, made by artists in Haiti. (Bookmark pictured above.) ViBella artists are at-risk women in Haiti and Mexico who “up-cycle” discarded plastic and glass bottles, metal bottle caps and paper, transforming them into unique, handmade jewelry that is truly a work of art. All profits are invested back into the artists’ communities, which brings the transformation full circle.
For a chance to win the book and bookmark, simply tell me about one woman in your life who has positively shaped your perspective of your reflection? (Email subscribers, click here: )
(UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is Nikki at Simply Simply. I’ll be in touch with you soon!)
The “Mom in the Mirror” book trailer:
I’ll start (though I promise not to include myself in the giveaway) 🙂 … I have a whole group of ladies to mention as having positively influenced me when I look in the mirror. They are the ViBella artists of Haiti. They exude such warmth and beauty with their very lives, and are truly among the most beautiful people I’ve ever encountered.
Also, my Granny T had such a good outlook on life and always made me feel beautiful and valued.
Thank you, Emily, for sharing your writing tips and for the great work you’re doing in helping women view themselves beautifully, just as they are.
Oh friend, thank you for having me! Sharing this with my friends. Love you dear lady. (and what a perfect bookmark to choose! Its colors match the book so nicely :))
i have 2 🙂 (can i have two?! if not ignore one of them hehe)
#1. my mentor. God let me to her right after my 1st was born and i was in the midst of ppd though i didn’t know it. she was gentle with my fragile heart and spoke truth to me. that i was more than a flabby milk making machine, but was still a woman. 🙂 i saw myself for the first time how God sees me…and i’ve not been the same since. she is quick to remind me that “in light of eternity” only certain things matter.
For the past year, I’ve been part of a group of women who have encouraged me and helped me feel like what I am doing right now, where I am in life, is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’ve been a mom for six years, and I finally feel like I’m doing something that is good and important. Looking forward to reading Mom in the Mirror!!
A friend named Marie, who has gone home now. She knew how to laugh and love unconditonally, and Marie loved God with all her heart. And, Jennifer Dukes Lee, as of this comment, you inspire me more than anyone I know currently. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. If I lived in Iowa, I’d have to spend time with you. But, thankfully, we have you with your blog and it is a source of encouragement and community in my heart.
When I look at my sister, I see my mirror image. We are identical twins. Our differences compliment each other I think. Nobody makes me laugh like she does. We laugh at things that aren’t really funny! I am thankful the unique gift of seeing glimpses of me in the friend of my life.
thank you for sharing these wise, inspiring words from ms. e. very encouraging.
My sister in law is the most beautiful woman I know, and she’s shown me the value of inner beauty over external. She taught me to accept those compliments from my husband when he told me I was beautiful, to believe his words were true.
Oddly enough having four daughters has shaped me the most as far as accepting who I am body image wise. Not wanting to cause them hang ups about their looks has forced me to either accept all that I am or do something about it. Mainly in the area of food and diet…not wanting to pass along bad habits, constantly dissatisfied with my looks, comparing myself to the worlds standard of beauty, etc.
I would have to say that would be Alexis. She was the first Bible study teacher I ever had and she showed me how to find truth within the pages of the Bible myself instead of accepting what others said about me.
Melissa
I already ordered a copy of Emily’s book for my daughter who is a brand new mama, and she already received it. But I wouldn’t mind having a copy for myself!
My friend Ethel, about whom I write frequently, is both my most sincere truth-teller and my biggest cheerleader. She knows all about my weaknesses and blatant sin, but also recognizes and encourages God’s gifts and ongoing work in me. She doesn’t allow me to languish in the pit when I allow myself to descend there.
My great-grandma V. I write about her a lot because she is a huge part of me. and if someone said I emulated her, I would know that was God telling me “Well Done”. . .
It’s hard to pick one. I was blessed to have a grandmother that just loved me and I just loved her. My mom n the other had was a harder relationship to cultivate. She was only 16 when she had me. I always felt she was a better mother to my younger brothers than she was to me. I know now that she did the best she knew how to do. As I grew older, she became my best friend. We spoke everyday. She was diagnosed with lung cancer last September and she showed me the incredible strength and unfailing love she had. She never worried about herself, she just needed to know her children would be OK. What makes my relationship with these two women even more powerful is that God blessed me with the privilege of holding their hands while they left this life. I miss them both but from them, I learned love, courage, strength, and compassion. I can only hope that I can model those same qualities to my children.
I have two aunts who have greatly influenced me in ways that truly make me a better version of myself. I’m grateful for the way one encouraged me to write and the other challenged me to take the risk to quit my job and stay home with my baby girl.
Such a lovely message here. I’d love to read this book. I’d have to say the lady who comes to mind who has made me feel “beautiful” is Charlene. She’s twenty years or so older than me, a gentle spirit who loves the Lord. After the birth of my fifth child, she hired me part time in her hospitality welcome business. She was a treasure to me because she believed in me and encouraged me greatly.
What an awesome message! So blessed to be part of this group of writers who are making a difference.
I have an older woman at my church who loves me and faithfully calls out the good things God has put in me. She encourages me, I am sure, far more than she realizes. Being with her is addictive, because I never realized before how much I needed an encourager in my life.