Great book..I thoroughly enjoyed Courtney Ellis' witty delivery and telling about her own life and how she whipped her home, her schedule and her spiritual life into shape by learning one word NO! Courtney, who is a Presbyterian Minister with a husband, 2 active sons and a career that goes from the pulpit to speaking engagements throughout the world. Managing a home, a congregation and still having time to devote to God first, family second and still maintain observance of Sabbath time (the relaxing time God spells out in the 4th commandment we are to observe) was overwhelming her first year in full-time ministry and she was so burned out after that first year, she considered leaving the ministry because it was all so hard to keep up with and she was dead tired and cranky all of the time. Realizing she was giving her self and her time to her congregation and snapping at and being snarky to her family and becoming resentful and behaving in unloving ways she knew she had to do something and fast. Praying about it and beggng God desperately to intervene and let her know His will for her life, first God taught her she had to still and listen for His voice and that is when He taught her to say NO. She had previously thought it was her duty to accept whatever request any one made of her, accept all offers of speaking engagements, bake cookies, etc. for the kids schools, volunteer for all field trips and any requirement teachers or the school made of her until it came to babysitting the classroom's pet bird over a holiday vacation - the teacher reminded her she was the only parent who hadn't taken a turn babysitting the bird yet. Her husband put his foot down. The answer is No. They weren't set up to care for the bird and having a bird was the school's choice not theirs so it was up to the school to find a solution. She told the teacher No they would not be able to care for it. After that initial NO, she began to find out how easy and peaceful her life could be when she said No. When friends and relatives wanted to come visit, she learned to say No if it was not something she and her family wanted to do. She learned to say No to projects she used to squeeze in to her own detriment and increased stresss level. When someone wanted to dump their clutter off on her, she learned to say No thank you. And, she also learned she didn't have to say why she was saying No! No was enough she did not have to justify herself. She has found that No has released her from an overbooked schedule, released her to spend more happy fun ties with her family, given her time to declutter and downsize her and her family's possessions and given her the much needed more time putting God first and spending more time in prayer and meditation with him that has enriched her life,and her family's. Now, the former chaos is gone and in its place is serene peace, family fun nights, romantic date nights and prayerful joy in the Lord enriching her soul and allowing her to impart that wisdom from God to her congregation and through her writings and seminars. A very good book, a funny book as she discusses her life and a great teaching tool as she imparts ways that have worked for her and can improve all the clutter we weigh our own lives down with technologically, materialistically and adding to our own stress load when we really don't have to do it all ourselves. No is now in her vocabulary and she did a fine job of teaching it to me, too. Take on what you want not what everyone else wants you too and you will have the peace that allows you to hear the quiet teachings and words of comfort and love God offers. Life keeps getting better and lighter and as your clothes get emptier your heart will know you have set goods free to go on to serve our fellow inhabitants on this little blue planet. We help ourselves by helping others. Does life get any better than that?
- Shirley J
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