Be Bold in the Broken
How I Found My Courage and Purpose in God's Unconditional Love
by Mary E. Lenaburg
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Pub Date Mar 12 2021 | Archive Date Oct 01 2021
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Description
Who am I? What is my purpose? Where do I belong?
These questions linger in every season of our lives, but as Mary Lenaburg learned the hard way, answering them becomes possible only when we direct our hearts to the God who made us and loves us best of all. Following Lenaburg’s example in Be Bold in the Broken will give you the courage and inspiration you need to accept who you are—the good, the bad, and the awkward—and become the woman God made you to be.
Lenaburg desperately wanted to be part of a girl tribe in middle school. She wanted to belong, to have friends—to be seen. So the unathletic, gangly sixth grader tried out for the cheerleading squad. She didn’t have fancy clothes like the other girls and she noticed that everyone else had “a chest.” So Lenaburg stuffed a pair of her brother’s sweat socks into her bra. You can probably guess the rest: One sock fell out when she started a tumbling routine.
When she was still feeling humiliated after several weeks, her father gave her some life-changing advice: “How about next time you just be you, do your best, and let God figure out the rest.”
Lenaburg—the author of Be Brave in the Scared—explores her journey to self-acceptance as she struggled to make sense of who she is and what she had to offer. Relatable anecdotes will make you laugh as Lenaburg answers the questions she is most often asked and shares how she finally learned to own
• her gifts and limitations,
• her dreams and failures,
• her virtues and sins, and
• how God is transforming her by grace.
With personal stories and faith-filled reflections, Lenaburg blazes the path to true identity and purpose in Christ.
A Note From the Publisher
She has given keynotes at conferences internationally, including the Edel Gathering, the Genius Women’s Conference, the Fiat Conference, Military Council for Catholic Women European Retreat, and the Women of the Word Conference. A writer with Take Up & Read, Lenaburg’s work has appeared in five of their meditation books. She has also contributed to two other books.
She has appeared on Catholic radio, TV, and podcasts, including The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, The Hallie Lord Show, The Gist, Busted Halo, and Fountains of Carrots. Lenaburg serves her home parish in many roles, including catechist, sacristan, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.
Advance Praise
“God doesn’t see things the way we do. But we can learn to see ourselves the way God sees us. That is what this book will help you do.”
From the foreword by Leah Darrow
Catholic speaker, author, and founder of LuxU
“Mary Lenaburg doesn’t shy away from the hard things, the hard moments, or the hard realizations. Through her words, I felt a loving embrace from Jesus reassuring me that I am worthy and needed, no matter the battles I’ve fought, and I know you will too.”
Kathryn Whitaker
Author of Live Big, Love Bigger
“Through equal doses of humility and truth, Lenaburg shares from the heart what it means to discover who you truly are and how walking in this truth really can change your life. I cried, nodded in agreement, and laughed out loud. This book makes me feel seen and understood, and it encouraged me to seek treasure where it can be found.”
Rachel Balducci
Catholic author, speaker, and cohost of The Gist on CatholicTV
“In her characteristic style and distinctive voice, Lenaburg invites us
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781646800391 |
PRICE | $15.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
I received an advance copy of, Be Bold in the Broken, by Mary E. Lenaburg. I loved this book. It is so insightful. God loves us unconditionally, most people cant accept that due to low self esteem. Mary gives valuable and humbling examples in her own life.
Reading Be Bold in the Broken by Mary E. Lenaburg, I was constantly reminded of the 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Leanburg shares with authenticity about life events that have shaped her faith journey and understanding of God’s unconditional love and grace. She shares painful moments, as well as humorous ones, as well as moments where you can tell that she wishes she had done better. She models vulnerability which is so needed in order to bring healing and unity in our world today. Her writing is both relevant and relatable with wisdom shared from ordinary, everyday moments.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
#BeBoldintheBroken #NetGalley
Be Bold in the Broken: How I Found My Courage and Purpose in God's Unconditional Love is not only a love letter to God, but a love letter to flawed human beings who need to know the measure of God's endless affection. Author Mary E. Lenaburg lights up the page with her firecracker prose. A gifted storyteller, Lenaburg manages to connect something as relatable as a disappointing trip to the department store fitting room with God's abiding love.
Lenaburg holds up a mirror to the reader that is far more forgiving than the one in the fitting room. She shows that behind our imperfections we possess a profound beauty which the good Lord loves to celebrate.
Any woman who has been broken by life will treasure Lenaburg's insights into rebounding into the welcoming arms of God. No sin is unforgiveable, and no amount of angst on our part can deem us beyond God's love.
Lenaburg is to be commended for her willingness to be vulnerable on the written page. Her openness helps the reader to delve into those places within her own soul which need tender care and healing.
Let Lenaburg teach you that belonging to God is more important than fitting in with the crowd, and that God's love can see you through, no matter what obstacles are placed in your path.
🖤 Book Review 🖤
🖤 Be bold in the broken by Mary E Lenaburg
🖤 Thank you @netgalley for my copy!
🖤 Publication Date, March 12 2021
🖤 Who am I? What is my purpose? Where do I belong? These questions linger in every season of our lives, but, as Mary Lenaburg learned the hard way, answering them becomes possible only when we direct our hearts to the God who made us and loves us best of all...
🖤 With an open attitude and honesty you don't find often Mary helps the reader to see that God loves us in all our imperfect ways and with all our many flaws. He knows we aren't perfect because he created us this way and yet He loves us completely. We don't need to hide ourselves from him.
🖤 She encourages us to be open and honest with ourselves and with God and to have an authentic relationship with Him.
Mary Lenaburg's humor and vulnerability lend themselves readily to her authentic style, enabling readers to empathize easily and absorb the hard-earned lessons she shares.
While her first book, Be Brave in the Scared, focuses on the blessings and challenges of caring for her daughter, Be Bold in the Broken moves between childhood reminiscences and more recent experiences in which Mary Lenaburg is seeking love and approval in all the wrong ways. Ultimately, she finds love and freedom in being the woman God created her to be, encouraging readers to do the same.
While I didn't readily identify with the experiences, I could enjoy their humor and poignancy and appreciate the beauty of how God has worked in Mary Lenaburg's life, whether she was cooperating with that work or not.
I found myself nodding “yes” to so much of what the author says in this book. Mary and I are polar opposites in terms of personality, but I could see myself in quite a few of the personal anecdotes she shared. If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t fit and start questioning what you’re even doing here, this book is for you.
This book is amazing and very different. the writer uses her experience to guide us to be closer to Jesus. It made me realize, usually people tend to tell their story when they are successful and skip the hardship. But the author gave us a detailed story. it helped me because I realize God's way may not be fast but it always ends up beautiful. Also, she gave us a reflection question. The most amazing part is that I live in Indonesia, which we have a different culture. But a Catholic book can unite all of us. This book is absolutely amazing and very worth our time.
I have been feeling lost the past couple of months and this book hit home for me in so many different ways. The author, Mary Lenaburg, is wonderfully down to earth and relatable through her writing, and the many life examples she gives in the book. I am so thankful for this book coming to me at a moment when I really needed it. It's very much worth the read and might help you too feel a little less loss.
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