Book Review: If You Only Knew

If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free by Jamie Ivey

This week I read the book If You Only Knew by the popular podcast host of The Happy Hour, Jamie Ivey. While I was familiar with Jamie from her podcast, this book was different from what I anticipated. It’s no secret that she is a Christian or that she is married to a pastor. However, I was surprised by her vulnerability and openness in sharing her testimony.

And, to that end, that is what this book is essentially. It is her testimony. Readers learn who she was before she began to follow Christ and who she is today. She reveals the secrets and hidden struggles that she was sure “if you only knew,” you would judge her for.

Jamie was highly dependent on admiration from the opposite sex, which led to her making some unwise decisions that hurt her heart. For example, she was sexually promiscuous and became pregnant while attending a Baptist college and miscarried. However, what made it even more difficult over time was the fact that she felt she had to hide this part of her story.

For those who have struggled under the weight of hidden sin or have looked for love in all the wrong ways, you may find Jamie’s testimony healing. She speaks openly and continually offers readers grace and reminds them that no one is perfect.

My one caveat in recommending this book to everyone is that is specifically geared to a Christian audience (as I’m sure it was intended). With this being said, I do not know how much of it would resonate with (or even make sense to) someone who does not go to church or has not read the Bible, as it is full of verses and Christianese. In other words, I wouldn’t necessarily give it to just anyone struggling.

And, there were several times when I highlighted things she said. For example, here are a few quotes I loved:

 “We’re either the church people that others feel too ashamed to be themselves around, or we’re the bottled-up people whose sense of failure or inadequacy makes us want to hide or maybe hate you.”

“Struggling through your faith is not an indication of lack of faith; struggling through your faith is an indication that you are fighting for your faith.”

“When we allow ourselves to be a safe place for women to confess their struggles, we are imitating Jesus.”

* I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

* It releases this Tuesday, so go ahead and order it or put it on hold at your local library!

Happy One Year Blog Anniversary to Me!

On January 25, 2017, I decided to start this little blog taking over my own little corner of the internet. And, it has been so much fun for me! No, it doesn't make me any money, but it has filled my life in ways I never expected. Thank you for following along with me on this new journey!

My First Year Top 5 Blog Posts

I love this lists of my most viewed blog posts because I think it accurately sums up the things that matter the most to me here: mom stuff, book stuff, and faith stuff. In case you missed them, here are litlovingmom's most popular blog posts:

1. My Kids are Coated in Sunscreen Because Their Mom Had Melanoma  I love that this post is number one because if my words have encouraged anyone to wear sunscreen lessening their skin cancer risks, I call that a solid win. 
2. Tales of a 3K Field Trip - In Haiku  Writing this post was cathartic and helped me go back to my roots and show my haiku love. And, it won me a spa gift!
3. Confessions of a Bad Book Lover, English Teacher and Librarian  I wrote this post on the whim and never expected so many people to respond to it. I learned that people like to hear your dirty little secrets. 
4. When Your 6 Year Old Outsmarts You...And Tries to Outsmart Jesus  My son is an old soul when it comes to faith discussions - and he is a tricky one
5. 10 Books to Help You Reshape Your Faith  This blog was one of the most personal for me to write, but it became the post that led to the most private messages.

What I Have Learned

I quickly learned that who you expect to be your loudest cheerleaders may not be, but your biggest fans will be people unexpected. Possibly even strangers. People are generally nice and encouraging, but you will always say something/recommend some book/make some joke that will offend someone. I still don't know what I'm doing - especially in terms of Twitter and Instagram.

Why I Do It

For a long time, I focused more on being who everyone wants me to be. This meant holding back on stating my opinions or telling the truth about the things I love (or hate) for fear of someone not liking me/being disappointed in me. I finally reached the age where I have accepted who I am and that everyone will not like me or what I have to say - but I have to say it. So, that's what I am doing here.

And, I do like the free books! ;)