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[alert color=”black”]TODAY’S READING – Ch. 1: Stop Chasing Perfect  (Pg. 3 – 14)
Don’t have your book yet?  Get a FREE Kindle sample.[/alert]

The American Dream can be so dangerous!  It’s made up of the grass is greener, Pinterest perfect and unrealistic expectations that work like a Photoshopped version of reality.  It’s also what little girls dream up once they stop believing that boys have cooties.  Houses with manicured lawns, kitchens decorated with matching dinnerware and a cozy living room with a fire place, perfect for snuggling in front of on cold evenings.

But when we wake up from this dream, we realize that there are a lot of empty places where reality doesn’t quite fit.  You know the round hole, square peg kind of thing.

Imperfections are okay.  Heck, it is pretty apparent that I embrace the imperfections of life being that you’re reading a post from the Imperfect Vessel!  But what isn’t okay is when we allow those imperfections to stop us in our tracks.  We often throw down the peg instead of pressing forward to find the correct hole, where it can be filled.  Or we try to make due and force the round peg where a square one ought to be; and no matter how well we might be able to squeeze it into place, there’s still empty spaces.

How many times have you given up or made excuses for why you haven’t pursued a goal, a dream, a passion?  Really, think about it. If you added up the time you’d probably be looking at least a couple of hours.  Have you ever stopped to think about how much we could accomplish in all of that time had we just gone for it?

When we finally stop chasing those impossible standards and surrender our fears, we become truly productive in what matters.  We experience genuine fulfillment: an imperfect yet intentional life, driven by a clear core purpose.

Just like Lara admits in chapter one, I’m nervous.  These questions and these challenges are stretching me too.  Part of me would rather run and hide in the comfort of my “play it safe” mentality than dig deep into the recesses of my mind to find what is really causing me to hold back and what I need to ask God to help me surrender.

It’s okay to be nervous.  If I were there with you, I’d take your hand, look you in the eye and tell you those five words.  It’s okay.  You’re not alone on this journey.  There are 50 plus women who are walking the path alongside you.  And then there is God, the One who created you and who has placed you here in this exact moment to be reading these exact words.  Pretty wild, right?

You, sweet girl were created on purpose for a purpose.  A purpose that only YOU can fulfill.  I know it seems daunting, but if HE chose the assignment for YOU, do you think He would let you fail?

[alert color=”black”]DAILY TASK
What are you racing toward?  Write it down in your Study Journal
or a notebook and date it.  We’ll revisit this page later in our study.[/alert]

A little music to kick off the journey…

I don’t think there’s a more fitting song out there than Day One by Matthew West to kick off the wild adventure we’re about to set off on.  Take a listen, read the words on the screen and let THIS SONG become your anthem as you take today, Day One, and let it be the beginning of a brand new future, one where the only thing you’re chasing is the heart of Jesus!

Supplies for the journey…

• Have you joined our exclusive Facebook group?
  The Intentional Filling is a place to grow in your faith individually, but also grow through the life experiences, prayers and support of the community members.  We’re so excited for you to join us!
• Want a daily reminder to be strong and courageous?
  Order the Print Pack of 3 – 8×10 digital prints designed by the community’s own Betsy Gettis, exclusively for the Intentional Filling community.

[divider type=”dashed” color=”grey”] [row-start] [three-fourths]Bree Blum is a 32 year old cardigan-wearing blogger who loves Jesus.  She lives in Wheeling, WV where she serves in her church as a sign language interpreter and works full time as an Administrative Assistant for a technology firm.  She has a passion for women’s ministry and speaking life into others despite her own introverted tendencies.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.[/three-fourths] [one-fourth][/one-fourth] [row-end]