Jo-Anne Berthelsen - Becoming Me: Finding My True Self in God

Becoming Me

Finding my true self in God

Becoming Me

Published by JMB Books, Sydney NSW

Jo-Anne Berthelsen 2016
www.jo-anneberthelsen.com

Cover by Kim Hall
Layout by Book Whispers www.bookwhispers.com.au

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Author:Berthelsen, Jo-Anne
Title:Becoming Me: Finding my true self in God / Jo-Anne Berthelsen
ISBN:978-0-9946443-0-5 (pbk)
Subjects:Berthelsen, Jo-Anne
Self-discovery
Spiritual growth

Dewey Number:248.4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Becoming Me

Finding my true self in God

Jo-Anne Berthelsen

Jo-Anne has penned a heartfelt, honest and deeply searching self-reflection, beautifully and sensitively written. Im sure it would lead any reader into a personal inner journey of their own. It is also a proclamation of Gods love and faithfulness which will inspire and encourage spiritual reflection for all who enter into Becoming Me .

Dr Carol Preston, counsellor and author of Beyond the Fight , Next of Kin and eight other historical novels

Becoming Me has all the qualities we look for in autobiographyhonesty, insight, relevance and eloquence. We all have life stories that have inherent value, but not many of us possess the levels of self-awareness and honesty Jo-Anne Berthelsen displays in her latest offering . She draws out an abundance of perceptive insights from her experience. At each stage of her story she pauses to open up reflective questions for us to consider our own lives in the light of her observations. These are especially relevant for anyone considering questions of identity and vocation. And this is all conveyed in the assured writing style of a masterful storyteller.

Dr Rick Lewis, mentor to Christian leaders via Anamcara Consulting, author of Mentoring Matters

In Becoming Me , Jo-Anne recounts the dealings of her soul with her Creator and Saviour from her birth to the present day. It is a privilege to read how she has committed her walk through life to the Lord and how he has directed her path. Her story illustrates the fact that we do not find our identity in our talents, gifts, efforts or inclinations, but in Christ alone.

Marion Andrews, author of My China Mystery

At one level, Jo-Anne Berthelsens Becoming Me is a very personal account of her own discovery of her true self. But at a deeper level, it is a gentle invitation to journey with her, to find our own, deepest, truest self, that is, who we are in the eyes of our loving, Father God.

(Rev) Ray Evans, teacher, counsellor, chaplain

In Becoming Me , Jo-Anne shares honestly, showing us that she has walked the walk regarding dealing with her personal issues. With Jo-Anne at your side, you too can go on a journey of discovery, using her questions at the end of each chapter to reflect on your life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to reach their full potential as a person.

Sue Banks , counsellor, Crisis Support Coordinator Lifeline Sydney & Sutherland

I am awed by Jo-Annes raw honesty, vulnerability and determination. Many themes run through her courageous story. One is finding her place in a Christian world dominated by traditional values. Her poignant struggle with her worth and deep longing to live with integrity will move you.

Paula Davis, trauma counselling specialist, marriage and counselling educator, adjunct lecturer

Becoming Me is a book to be read prayerfully, allowing God the opportunity to extend His healing hand as we progress. A truly honest story which takes us through the innocence of childhood to the maturity of our middle years. It describes how our early experiences leave their mark on the core of the person we become, but also how the power of Gods grace and love can deliver healing into the poverty of our souls. A gentle yet challenging read.

Susanne Timpani , author of Twice Stolen and blog 10 Minute Daily Retreat

For my beautiful grandchildren, Amy, Olivia, Zain and Maxine, with love.
May you each rejoice in your God-given uniqueness, rest in Gods amazing love and realise your full potential in life, as God guides and sustains you.

Acknowledgements

To my manuscript readers/editors Lorene Noble, Jane Louise and Marion Andrews, thank you so much for your helpful suggestions and meticulous, time-consuming work on my behalf.

To Rochelle Manners, thank you for your honest advice, generosity of spirit and excellent, ongoing support in my publishing journey.

To Kim Hall, thank you for your gentle, servant heart and for using your wonderful creativity to bring a book cover I love into being.

To those who wrote endorsements, thank you all for your gracious words and taking on this task, in the midst of your busy lives.

To my email prayer team, both past and presentJoy, Joan, Ruth A, Ruth S, Kerry, Marjan, Rhondda, Michelle, Judy, Patricia, Annewho have tracked with me through so many speaking engagements and writing projects, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Introduction

I have always had a fascination for those sets of matryoshka dollsor babushka dolls, as they are often calledthose little, wooden Russian families nesting inside one another and decorated with bright, intricate designs. I love to see all the effort that has gone into creating the colourful, hand-painted versions and admire the vivid imagination of the artists responsible for each one.

When I first began to consider writing this book, the image of some Russian dolls I own came to mind at once. I remember well how I could not resist buying them some years agoI had wanted a set for so long. I was visiting London for the first time and found my five little purple painted people at a market stall near the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. They were part of the magic of that moment and I treasure them to this day. For me, they typify the sense I have had in more recent years that my own outer layers are peeling off and I am at last discovering that most intrinsic part of methe kernel, if you like, of who I am and who I was created to be.

For some of you, your true identity may have become clear to you quite early on in life, by Gods grace. But for others, that journey may have been much longer, with many twists and turns, as has mine. Some of you may have had your dreams and aspirations derailed for years or perhaps even your whole life by illness or the need to care for others or lack of funds or some other life situation. Yet, whatever challenges we may face, we do not have to let them prevent us from growing within ourselves and with God.