It's A Wonderful Imperfect Life: Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make It Just Right [Paperback]

Joan C. Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life is a collection of daily reminders that God does not want women to live in a continually overwhelmed state. Instead, He wants them to learn and live balanced lives and to enjoy their relationships with family, friends and Him. Life coach Joan C. Webb, author of The Relief of Imperfection, offers good news to readers who try too hard to make everything just right: Imperfect is just right! In her conversational, confessional style, Joan shares war stories from her own fight against perfectionism and invites readers to do battle with her. Armed with humor, grace and helpful coaching exercises, she delivers three minutes a day that will start women on an adventure of just-right, relief-filled imperfection.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You were not created to live in a continually overwhelmed state, swamped by the demands of family, kids, home, church, culture and career! God designed you to live a balanced life, enjoying your relationships with family, friends, coworkers and Him. Here’s the catch: Learning to be content with “good enough” is the only way to find the rest and balance you long for. Life coach Joan C. Webb, author of The Relief of Imperfection, has good news for every woman who tries too hard tomake everything just right: Imperfection is just right! And only God is perfect. In these daily readings, she shares war stories fromher own fight against perfectionism— and she invites you to join her in escaping the constant tug-of-war! Three minutes a day will free you from the joy-stealing temptation to try tomake yourself, your family, your spirituality and your dreams perfect. Joan’s exclusive coaching exercises will help you uncover the “wonderfulness” already present in your life. This is your guidebook on your quest for just-right, relief-filled imperfection!

About the Author

JOAN C. WEBB is a recovering workaholic and perfectionist who communicates a message of freedom and renewal. A former pastor’s wife, Joan is a personal life coach and teacher, helping others to become who God has gifted them to be. She speaks nationally and internationally and has appeared on Christian radio and television. Joan is the author or coauthor of magazine article, curriculum and eight books, including The Relief of Imperfection.

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Regal (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830748016
• ISBN-13: 978-0830748013
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan C. Webb, a recovering workaholic and burnout victim, communicates a message of freedom and renewal. Joan has authored more than ten books including The Relief of Imperfection: For Women Who Try Too Hard to Make It Just Right and It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, The Intentional Woman: A Guide to Experiencing the Power of Your Story (with Carol Travilla), a four-book series titled Devotions for Little Boys and Girls, and Meditations for Christians Who Try to Be Perfect. She wrote study notes for four Old Testament books in Zondervan's Women of Faith Study Bible and devotions for the Women's Devotional Bible 2.

As a Personal Life Coach and Intentional Woman Life Plan facilitator, Joan has accumulated hundreds of hours coaching and helping set people free to become who God gifted them to be and from what holds them back. Joan's practical and interactive presentations include stories from her background in business, ministry, and travel to the Middle East doing relief/development work. Joan and her husband, Richard, enjoy living in the sunshine in Chandler, Arizona near their daughter and son, their spouses, and their seven energetic grandchildren (three boys and four girls.)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A repository of long sought relief February 7, 2010

By Melinda Lancaster VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I still remember seeing a tweet with the title of Joan C. Webb's most recent book It's A Wonderful (Imperfect) Life. The title rang out like a shot to me and I was quite certain there had to be a typo in the tweet, as the words "wonderful" and "imperfect" seemed totally unrelated not to mention oddly paired. A quick online search proved me wrong.

By that time my interest had been piqued both as a counselor and a struggling perfectionist. Prior to reading the book I would have labeled myself as a "former perfectionist". Since reading it, I've change my mind, and come to the sobering yet hopeful conclusion that the road to recovery from perfectionism is LONG.

That is where Joan's book becomes such a valuable tool. It is a devotional book with what I would describe as 163 opportunities to find relief physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the striving that comes with trying so hard to make everything right--one of the traits of perfectionism.

Reading the book is a bit like taking a journey towards wholeness, with several stops included along the way:

*Preparing for Relief: Freedom, Here I Come
*The Relief of Imperfect Relationships and Families: It's Not My Job!
*The Relief of Imperfect Emotions, Minds, and Bodies: Exquisitely Intertwined
*The Relief of Imperfect Life-Work and Service: Regaining Life
*The Relief of Imperfect Churches and Culture: No Formula Solutions
*The Relief of Imperfect Dreams, Plans, and Decisions: The Joy of the Imperfect Yes!
*The Relief of Imperfect Faith, Prayer and Spirituality: Striving Too Hard Dulls Your Soul
*The Promise of Relief: Breathing Room for Your Soul

Each day's reading contains a Scripture, application from the author's own personal experiences with perfectionism and burnout, a prayer, and an opportunity for making it personal.

Over the years I've read many devotional books and have found them enjoyable although the daily readings are often a "hit and miss" experience for me. Some days I totally relate and other days I read as part of the overall routine not relating at all.

My experience in reading It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life was unique. First of all, I found it to be very "personal." Not a total surprise to me yet much more so than I had anticipated. In addition to being personal I found each writing to be applicable to my life.

Each reading felt like sitting down with a friend. Joan's writing style provides a mixture of transparency and humor that makes her words both believable and receivable. Every time I picked up the book it was like making a connection and enjoying a time of fellowship together.

Each day, as I walked away from my quiet time, I found myself reflecting on changes that I needed to make. I also possessed a renewed sense of hope that change is possible with God's help. That made the book powerful and practical. In some ways it was a life-line to me.

I highly recommend It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life to all women who are seeking a balanced life free of the tug-of-war that comes with trying too hard. As the back cover of the book so aptly states "three minutes a day will free you from the joy-stealing temptation to try to make yourself, your family, your spirituality, and your dreams perfect."

Buy the book and allow the Holy Spirit to use Joan C. Webb as a guide in your quest for "just-right, relief-filled imperfection." You won't regret it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Insightful January 22, 2012

By B. Scott

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I highly reccomend this book. It is very thought provoking and insightful. Joan Webb blends together thoughts of comfort and challenge to the reader. Many mornings I carried the Bible verse and prayer into my day (figuratively) which made me act and feel like a better Christian. I feel closer to God because of this wonderful book. Many thanks to Ms. Webb.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good October 26, 2010

By Dawn E Ricci

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a great daily devotional for women who take on too much and try to make their lives and everyone else's life around them perfect. Joan reminds us daily that it is not our responsibility to do this, but only God's. She (& God of course) give us permission to lay this responsibility down daily and live in freedom.