Calling All Control Freaks: I’ve got an Rx for ya… (with help from Jennifer Dukes Lee) Plus, Don’t forget Ann Gabhart is coming next week to Book Club!

Friends! This Tuesday, 9/18, a new book hits bookstores and bookshelves everywhere. It’s an invaluable resource: I call it my “current traveling handbook.” You’ll tote it with you to check and recheck, believe me.

The book? It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On and Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible by Jennifer Dukes Lee.

I first met Jennifer at a She Speaks Conference in Charlotte, NC in July of 2017. Of all the class offerings, Jennifer’s jumped out at me: “How a small-time blogger can get a book published.” I was there with my second draft of my book, praying to take as many classes and meet as many mentors as humanly possible.

I found Jennifer to be sincere, honest, funny, and tremendously encouraging. She also gave us her email address should we have further questions, saying, “I have soooo been there! Don’t despair! God’s got this!” I exited the class a few inches taller.

Fast forward to this year and I’ve been blessed to be on the Launch Team for this book. I’ve highlighted and dog-eared many a page, also tagging numerous resources in the back of the book.

Thanks to Jennifer’s confessions of things I think but wouldn’t utter, take-home value is at a premium. Three of many favorite chapters include:

1 – Her prayer to the Holy Spirit (Chapter 8 – “Clueless: What to do when God’s To-Do List Makes Zero Sense) is not to be missed!

2 – Her three important words we must force ourselves to use: “I need help!” (Chapter 10), not to mention discovering a killer great quote:

“Asking for help requires a heart-unzipped intimacy with God, who saw your need in the first place.” and

3 – Getting the chance to learn if you’re a “Driver,” a “Devoter,” or a “Darling,” (Chapter 4 – “Superpowers: Uncovering Your Strengths, Your Kryptonite, and That Line We All Tend to Cross), plus you’ll find a much more detailed explanation in the back of the book.

Each chapter ends with a “Crack the Control Code” section, giving you concrete, helpful solutions to relinquish that control we think we have, but never really had. Anyone? (I also loved the chapters on waiting and rest, but was determined to only give you three. Smile.)

Three additional resources in the back of the book can be used over and over. I’m beyond certain you and I will do exactly that:

1 – The Control Code Continuum. I pray you won’t find yourself in the Danger Zone! (Can’t get the song Highway to the Danger Zone outta my head. Thanks so very much, Tom Cruise.) Confession: I discovered I’ve been in an Unhealthy Zone, only one notch up from the Danger Zone. Good news: Jennifer offers a manageable, doable “response” to getteth thee outteth of that zone!

2 – The Decision Tree – “Should I hang on or let go?” This is a great filtering tool which will quickly allow you to stop spinning in circles.

3 – Do, Delegate, or Dismiss – “Task of _____________.”

I’m telling you, I wish I’d had this book thirty-plus years ago when we began raising our boys. If you have young moms in your life, march out immediately and grab a copy for them! They will love you for this! (My daughters-in-love will be getting this book in their stockings. Shhhhh, don’t tell.)

Now you know what I’m going to say, “RUN, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore and grab this book for yourself and for any of your friends you know could benefit from this book!’’

Finally, don’t forget to join us and bring a boatload of your friends, if you’re anywhere near Louisville, KY, next Monday Night, September 24th, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for Branches Book Club at Middletown United Methodist Church. Author Ann Gabhart is coming and will be talking about These Healing Hills and we’ll also get to hear about her newest novel, River to Redemption. Click here for additional information.

‘Til next time!