Jordan Lee Dooley - Embrace Your Almost: Find Clarity and Contentment in the In-Betweens, Not-Quites, and Unknowns

We all know what it feels like to have an expectation of what we hoped our life would look like, only to have it veer off onto a different path. In times like these, we need some help keeping our eyes up as we move forward. Thats exactly what Jordan Lee Dooley does for us in Embrace Your Almost. If you are like me and need practical steps, hard-won wisdom, and a friend to help lead the way into a new season of promise, this redirection resource is what you need.

Lysa TerKeurst , #1 New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

Rather than reinforcing the pervasive shoot-for-the-moon rhetoric that our boss babe culture pushes, Jordan is a part of the resistance. Her book Embrace Your Almost tactically guides us on how to redefine success so that we can faithfully steward the good that God sends our way. This book heralds the message that this generation desperately needs.

Amanda Pittman , founder of Confident Woman Co.

Whether weve had the wind knocked out of us when a dream fails or we are finally breathing deeply after we release a dream that wasnt right, Jordan guides us with compassion and clarity to likingor at least making peace withour lives long before we reach the celebratory finish lines. Embrace Your Almost champions a life that is always under construction instead of one only satisfied at a completion that never truly comes. Jordan intimately invites us to join her in the space between disappointment and possibility, heartbreak and hopewhether in our home, motherhood, career, or faith. She reminds us that a life of almosts is one in which were endlessly striving and never celebrating the fact that where we are today may in fact be beautiful enough, if only we see it through her lens.

Hilary Rushford Collyer , host of the Youre Welcome podcast

Jordan Lee Dooley is a perfect mix of wisdom and work-hard, and this book brings both. For when you dont understand and when you need a guide, Embrace Your Almost will walk with you, teach you, and lead you to the confident life you want.

Annie F. Downs , New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun

Embrace Your Almost is for anyone who finds themself in the awkward season of in-between. Jordan has gifted us with an insightful guide filled with biblical and practical steps that lend future clarity, even as they help us experience contentment when we are not yet quite there.

Lisa Bevere , New York Times bestselling author

Im grateful for the way Jordan shares her honest journey and helps anyone whos had to wait or adjust their expectations in the season theyre in to redefine success and contentment right where they are.

Ruth Chou Simons , Wall Street Journal bestselling author, artist, and founder of gracelaced.com

Even though I didnt like running, I joined the track team when I was in high school. Since several of my friends were on the team, I decided that I would sign up too. However, I secretly swore that I would quit if the coach made me run the four-hundred-meter dash. All-out sprinting for a full lap around the track? No, thank you.

But then, after the first few practices, the coach told me that I would indeed be competing in the dreaded four-hundred-meter dash in an upcoming meet. You have got to be kidding me. I considered backing out, but my competitive nature dared me to give it a shot.

The day of the track meet arrived. With my heart beating out of my chest and adrenaline pumping through my veins, I took my place at the starting line of the event. I heard the starting gun, and with six or seven competitors, I took off. As I rounded the last corner and entered the final hundred meters of the race, I was surprised to find myself neck and neck with an opponent, vying for first place.

Oh my gosh, I can actually win this!

As we approached the finish line, an image of Olympic runners on television popped into my brain. I remembered seeing them lean over the line to cross just milliseconds before their opponent. Despite having absolutely no experience with that tactic, I decided to try it.

And that was a terrible idea.

I leaned too early and too far, and instead of crossing the line, momentum carried me forward and I face-planted on the track, with my arms stretched out in front of me, fingertips just inches short of the finish. Everyone blew past me as I lay facedown in disbelief, with skinned elbows and knees.

The official leaned over and asked whether I still wanted to finish. I looked up to see all the other runners on the other side of the line, high-fiving teammates and grabbing sips of water. As humiliated as I was, I managed to bring myself to my feet and take a step over the line.

Just when I almost finished first, I ended up finishing dead last. I have seldom been as embarrassed as I was that day.