Not Who I Imagined: Surprised by a Loving God
Do you feel like you're not good enough for God?Despite the Christian gospel of unearned grace and unconditional love, too many of us still believe that we don't measure up. We might be able to convince ourselves that God's grace covers our past or ensures our acceptance in the future when we breathe our last and are jettisoned off toward heaven, but what about today? What about this moment?With compassion and wit, Margot Starbuck asks the question,What if God receives me exactly as I am?She explores the unbounded love of God, showing uncertain followers a God whose face is open, kind, and gracious, accepting us just as we are. Right now."Margot takes all of the years of guilt inflicted by Christian legalism and replaces it with a message of acceptance, reminding each and every one of us of our true identity: beloved children of a heavenly Father."--Emily T. Wierenga, author ofChasing SilhouettesandMom in the Mirror"Many modern Christians falsely portray God as a distant, disapproving, disappointed, disgruntled divinity. But Margot Starbuck pulls back the curtain on what God actually looks like. This book is a breath of fresh air in a world of stale spirituality."--Jonathan Merritt, author ofJesus Is Better Than You Imagined"The face of God presented here is one that is so wholly loving and deeply cherishing that it wipes away the chronic fear that lurks deep inside us."--Sarah Cunningham, author ofThe Well-Balanced World ChangerandPortable Faith"If you are a 'good Christian' who secretly worries that you aren't quite good enough for God's love, this book will confound you, delight you, and bring joy to your heart and soul."--Amy Julia Becker, author ofA Good and Perfect GiftMargot Starbuck(MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary) is a regular contributor toToday's Christian Womanand an editorial advisor forGifted for Leadership. The author ofPermission Grantedand the confessions editor forGeez Magazine's Sinner's Corner, she also writes forRelevant,Red Letter Christians,Mutuality,Prism,FullFill,andMomSense. She lives in North Carolina.