My daughter and I started to read the Beyond Beautiful Girlhood Plus Companion Guide by Shelley Noonan on my birthday November 6th with the hopes to finish by December 1st. The idea was to be a gift to both of us. I am thankful that my daughter has a heart to please and agreed to pursue this with me. What a gift!
Such a time as this she is in the midst of college searching, work, school, senior year with her fall sport and over Thanksgiving break had her wisdom teeth removed. Check off the next thing! The time continues to flow right past opportunities to complete our pursuit…do I hear the subtle obtstacles of one who would love us not to complete this book filled with blessings waiting for us to receive?
Thankfully I once again open Beyond Beautiful and start to glean the treasures upon the pages. As I read, thoughts of how I wish I could go back and have this time, the age when my daughter turned 13 to follow this plan for her and I. Feelings of inadequacy flood my mind. I yearn for that precious time to reflect and learn together here in black and white a direction on how to instill the makings of girlhood with a heart for God. The words of yester year are somewhat daunting as if reading a story of makebelieve. Yet these pages give a glimpse and how it use to be and the need for a nuturing spirit for those around us. That need is still applicable for today if we reflect on our daily challenges and joys. We can take this wisdom and use it to apply to our lives here and now.
Although we have passed this age in our family I read on in anticipation of what is in store for the ages to come since the book is written for the ages of thirteen through twenty-one. We can gather the resources and live them today in our hearts, drawing closer to our Creator… for God is ageless and will meet us whatever our age. That is the greatest gift!
With these thoughts in mind I am encouraged and thankful for this time here and now for God has His perfect way of mending our hearts, giving us peace by meeting us exactly where we are. The time I give to Him by reading His Word, the Bible and Godly resources such as Beyond Beautiful Girlhood Plus Companion Guide I find treasures beyond words.
Thank you for your “welcome”! Shelley Noonan. I was pleased to meet Shelley at wonderful “Relevant”again this year where I received this great book.
Yesterday Today and Forever 