Over the years, Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal of GirlDefined Ministries have taught me so much about living as a godly woman and daughter of our Lord.  With each new book they release, I am challenged to grow in new ways.  According to Kristen and Bethany this new book is their most personal one yet, and I definitely agree – yet it is not just a ‘memoir-type’ book that gives their stories and leaves the readers wondering how it affects them.  In fact, the opposite is true.  “Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God With the Twists and Turns of Your Story” invites us into the authors’ lives, their heartaches and disappointments, their joy and celebrations. And then, using Scripture and the lessons they’ve learned along the way, Kristen and Bethany help us to apply this information to our own life circumstances.  With warmth and wisdom, each chapter contains thoughtful insights that help us relate to the stories they are sharing.  At the end of each chapter is a mini-Bible study complete with: Scripture passages, a prayer, takeaway points, a challenge for today, and a colouring page designed around a relevant Bible verse.  

With stories of prolonged singleness, infertility, unfulfilled longings, and much more, Kristen and Bethany are no strangers to the unexpected journeys of life.  But as they show us, “wherever you are on your journey, your life has purpose and meaning in Christ, and thriving is possible – right now.”  The secret is simple – we must let go, and trust in the one who holds the pen to the stories of our lives.  

I highly recommend “Not Part of the Plan” to women and girls of all ages, just as I have with every book written by the amazing and inspiring founders of GirlDefined Ministries.  Thank you Kristen and Bethany, for once again releasing a book that challenges, inspires, and goes above and beyond my hopes for what I would learn from it!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”