Brave Enough by Nicole Unice

 I am not very brave... It's true. It's something I have struggled with my whole life. It's sad to think sometimes, of all the opportunities I have missed out on because I just wasn't brave enough.

In college I shied away from meaningful relationships because I was afraid of all those awkward "getting to know you moments". I see those girls now on Facebook, they are each others life-long friends... and me, well I doubt they remember me.

After I got married my husband and I moved to a new town. I didn't know a soul. We got involved in an amazing church. The people took us in like family. They loved us and discipled us. I still wasn't brave enough to go to the Bible studies, the church activities or pursue having people over. It took me three years to let those people into my life.

These last few year I have tried really hard to overcome some of these fears. I know that the Lord doesn't want me to live this way, bound up in insecurity. I have always had trouble breaking through surface relationships to real, deep, meaningful ones. I have really come a long way. It's funny, but as my life has become more complicated (having kids) I just don't have the time or energy for meaningless relationships. It is so freeing not to be bound up by so much fear anymore, however I don't know that I ever really dealt with what was behind those fears.

Reading this book Brave Enough by Nicole Unice has helped me examine what has really gone on in my heart. Nicole's friendly voice shares her own struggles and insecurities. Nicole get's to the heart of where our bravery comes form and examines the things that hold us back. This is a great book to read if you are ready to get real about the fear on your own life. I love the quote at the back of the book,
"find the courage to be who you are-- not who you wish you were."
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review.