Sally Clarkson - Own your life : living with deep intention, bold faith, and generous love

If youve ever wondered what a life well lived looks like, youll find the secret between the pages of this book. Sally Clarkson generously opens up her story with the hospitality of a mentor, a mother, and a friend wrapped into one. On these pages youll discover inspiring examples of what life to the full can look like when you are fully surrendered to Christ.

LISA-JO BAKER

Author of Surprised by Motherhood and community manager for (in)courage

Since the time my children were babies, I have been so challenged by reading Sally Clarksons writings. Shes inspired me to embrace each day, find simple ways to cultivate beauty in my home, and take time to invest in myself so that I can better nurture and bless my family. If you are a busy woman who longs to live with meaning and purpose, youll be blessed by reading Own Your Life. Its packed with heartfelt encouragement and practical strategies to help you savor life more and make each moment count.

CRYSTAL PAINE

New York Times bestselling author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode and founder of MoneySavingMom.com

Sally is a woman teeming with wisdom and zest for life, and theyre contagious both in her presence and in her written words. Every moment Ive shared with her has been a blessing, and its an honor for all of us that she so graciously shares her life lessons and timeless truths in her writing.

TSH OXENREIDER

Author of Notes from a Blue Bike

Life was made to be lived with purpose. But sometimes our busy and broken lives get in the way of our intentions. Own Your Life is more than an inspirational book; its a guidebook to living a life that matters.

KRISTEN WELCH

Author of Rhinestone Jesus; http://wearethatfamily.com

Sally writes with as much compassion and concern as she displays when chatting with a dear friend. She and her husband have an abundance of experience, including thirty years of marriage, parenting, world travel, and more, and the interesting personal stories Sally shares provide solid, incredibly applicable wisdom. As she intimately draws you into each story, her words will break down the barriers that keep you from owning your life and will motivate you to fulfill your God-given purpose.

JENNIFER SMITH

Author of The Unveiled Wife and founder of Unveiledwife.com

Too often we get caught up in the daily chaos, and we miss the realization that were leaving a legacy. Own Your Life shows readers how to live the God-shaped destiny designed for them. Living for Gods Kingdom and glory is something Sally Clarkson does with all that she is... and now her caring, wise voice guides readers on how to do the same. This book is perfect to read with a friend or small group. Highly recommended!

TRICIA GOYER

Author of forty-five books, including Balanced

This book, rich with the wisdom of a life lived intentionally, is a gift to women of all ages. Its the tool we need to ask God what He wants us to dream for Him and how He wants us to live that dream. Sally emboldens and equips us to make faith-filled choices and to live with generous love, no matter what the cost. She meets us where we arein the hard places of real lifeand gently leads us to where God waits to mold us into our best selves.

ELIZABETH FOSS

Author of Real Learning and coauthor of Small Steps for Catholic Moms; www.elizabethfoss.com

Sally Clarkson has always been such an incredible inspiration to me as Ive fumbled along this path of parenting, and I count myself blessed to have her words and wisdom mentor me along the way. Once again, Sally has written a book full of godly advice and wisdom, pointing us to the ultimate example and mentor of all. As I read Own Your Life, I found myself feeling as though I was cozied up on Sallys couch with a warm cup of tea, soaking up every bit of motherly and yet godly wisdom on how to truly live a beautiful life of balance and purpose.

SUMMER SALDANA

Writer/blogger at SummerSaldana.com

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Own Your Life: Living with Deep Intention, Bold Faith, and Generous Love

Copyright 2014 by Sally Clarkson. All rights reserved.

Some content first appeared at www.itakejoy.com.

Cover photograph of flower copyright Alan Shapiro/Stocksy. All rights reserved.

Cover texture copyright pondkungz/Shutterstock. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jennifer Phelps

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. (Some quotations may be from the earlier NIV edition, copyright 1984.) Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Clarkson, Sally.

Own your life : living with deep intention, bold faith, and generous love / Sally Clarkson.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-4143-9128-1 (sc)

1. Christian life. 2. Christian womenReligious life. I. Title.

BV4501.3.C527 2014

248.4dc23 2014036432

ISBN 978-1-4964-0346-9 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-9129-8 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-0347-6 (Apple)

Build: 2014-11-18 10:00:51

COMING HOME TO GOD: FINDING YOUR PART IN HIS STORY

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.

PSALM 46:1-2

Mama, the world seems like a very scary place, and it makes me feel powerless. I am afraid I will be so lonely and insecure without friends and family around me.

Joy, my daughter, would be leaving the next day to study in Oxford, England, and we had just finished zipping her last suitcase shut. She had been looking forward to her semester abroad as a great adventure and inspiring opportunity. Yet as we were packing that day, a second American journalist had been beheaded by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The media was also talking about terrorist threats to England and the United States. Between that news and the devastating reports of earthquakes, war, and immorality among Christian leaders, Joy was understandably feeling overwhelmed. Of course, as a mom, those same thoughts and fears had run through my mind.