Are you for Real?

It’s not very often I make a new friend without ever laying eyes on them, but my new friend Bekah Pogue, who wrote Choosing Real, is a gem and it was hard not to like her from the moment we met online. She had received a copy of my book to review, and sent me a heartfelt, detailed email after reading it that revealed to me just how “real” she is.

She wrote, “Where was this book when I needed it almost 4 years ago when my dad died? I could not agree with your heart or the desire to invite people into practical ways to come alongside and love those in grief, loss, whatever. As I’m reading your words, I find myself saying out loud, “yes. totally. Me too.”  Ok, then.  Instant friends, indeed.

But just because Bekah liked my book, doesn’t mean I would like hers.  But there was something about her spirit that made me want to order her book online right away.  And then when I was at my local Barnes and Noble looking for Alongside, I saw her book on the TOP PICKS IN CHRISTIAN LIFE shelf!  So cool! 

{Choosing Real, second shelf, far left, gorgeous gold polka dots on cover!}

I’ve learned that some books can end up on popular book shelves like this even if they’re not worthy of it…but Choosing Real is worthy!  Bekah’s personal, intimate style of writing makes you feel like you’re in her kitchen eating Miss Layered Chocolate Cake, possibly dancing, and awaiting some of her famous “Soul Sweets” in the form of Mana’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipes for both included in book, AMEN!) Oh, then there’d be tea, because my new friend Bekah wishes she was born British, which is also a bonus.  And she was an event planner and loves to throw parties (#same) so, there’s that.

Now that you can imagine you are in the kitchen with my new friend, Bekah, (soon to be yours) take a look into her heart where she writes this awesomeness in Chapter 12, Turning Outward:

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Miss Bekah Pogue and I are soul sisters in this, too.  Her heart is for others.  Her heart is to love them well in their grief.  Her heart is to cook for them!  Bake for them!  Cherish them!  And she wants you to do the same.  She wants you to use your gifts to love others—whatever they are. In other words, come alongside.

She goes on to write, “He (God) doesn’t ask us to give so others will make us feel better, but as an invitation to choose to walk alongside a hurting soul.  Perhaps compassionate pain is where healing begins.”

Yes.  Indeed.  A beautiful place to be.

There are many other fabulous parts of this book, but I want you to be surprised as you open its pages and see for yourself inside the real story of our new friend, Bekah.  She is the REAL DEAL.  She talks about hard topics like parenting in a social media world (#realisthenewperfect) being thankful as a way of life, using GODsense to experience His creation, and how God can use our greatest pains and detours to draw us to a beautiful dependence on Him.

So now that you want to read it, here’s the fun: I’m giving away a FREE COPY of this fabulous book!  

TO ENTER ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN THE COMMENTS: [reminder]Why do you want to win this book or how you struggle with being real in today’s world? [/reminder]

{Winner will be selected randomly from the commenters on Tuesday, March 28.}

Click here to purchase a copy of Bekah Pogue’s, Choosing Real.