Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.

As a minister's wife and a former deacon's kid, I've battled with the image of perfection my entire life.

I have moments where I'm just 'me', but they are few and far between these days. So I was thrilled to receive a copy of Joan's new devotional, "The Relief of Imperfection"!

Joan writes from experience and from wisdom. Her voice is authentic, and her compassion is rich and lavish. She truly has a heart for women.

Don't hesitate...don't wait for the perfect time or perfect day...pick up a copy of Joan's book today. And get one for a friend or two...or your sister...or your pastor's wife, even! I'm giving Joan's book, "The Relief of Imperfection", five out of five bookmarks, with a slighty imperfect Valentine heart...'cause I love the book, and I love Joan!

My life is crazy, like the lives of most every other woman I know these days. It feels as though there is too much to do and too little time to do it--which leaves me feeling as though there is too little of me to be the person I'm expected to be. Joan Webb's "It's a Wonderful Imperfect Life" is a beautifully sweet reminder that simply being myself is enough. Not simply "good enough," but enough, period. Joan Webb's devotions are brief enough to fit into my crowded days, yet deep enough to help calm and redirect my often-striving heart. A great gift to give yourself or someone who could use a quiet place in her crazy life.

I am a bit of a perfectionist myself and I often get stressed out trying to get everything just right. I've had this book sitting on my desk for the last couple of months (partially because the cover is really cute and looks nice sitting out). When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I take 3-4 minutes and read one of the quick devos. I always feel more balanced and calm after I read one. Christian women have a lot of pressure to appear to have it all together. Joan points out that this is unrealistic, unbiblical, and unhealthy. It's okay to love yourself and let some other things go. If you're a stressed out perfectionist, this is a great book to keep on hand. Read straight through it or read one here and there.

I have often thought that I couldn't really experience peace and rest, until I had "all my ducks in a row", and things were going smoothly, in every area of my life. God has used this book to help me see that we don't have to WAIT until we have it all together; to walk in peace, and fully enjoy our lives! Joan Webb has communicated, in so many encouraging ways, the accepting and unconditional love He has for us. We can experience God's peace, joy, and life abundant; regardless of our imperfections, and in the midst of negative circumstances!
I'm so blessed by the Spirit-inspired insight that flows through Joan's words. What a valuable and uplifting statement: "Life doesn't have to be perfect, to be wonderful"!
Thank you, Joan, for showing us the truth of God's Word in these areas! I find my rest in Him! The opportunity is ours, daily, to experience life fully! The wait is over!

Daily encouragement - that's what it seems so many people are missing in their lives. And these are the real deal. Authentic, practical, inspiring, soul-relieving thoughts that seem to pick me up by the collar and say, "What a beautiful life. And your imperfections make you all the more unique." This is the point where God comes in to bless the mess so to speak and it's a delight to find this message in the midst of so many "fix-er-up" messages of self-help. Thanks, Joan for opening the windows so we can breathe in God's grace.

The author, Joan Webb brings it all home to your own
experience in moments. I highly recommend this book,
a must read.

Joan Webb has an excellent way of expressing basic principles that apply to so many women. They certainly apply to me. I love the ease of using her devotional book "It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life" as a spiritual aid and practical guide. Because it is not tied to the calendar, I don't feel I am cheating if I read 2 or three devotions each day - or, if I skip to the back of the book on any given morning. She offers profound thoughts expressed in plain and straight forward language.

Her devotional puts into words many of my own thoughts and feelings. It is an encouragement to know that she has been able to incorporate these principles into her own walk with Christ as she deals with her daily challenges. She has helped me to realize that I don't have to be perfect. Indeed, I can't be perfect in all I do each day. She reminds me that only God is perfect. His grace is sufficient for me. I don't miss a day of reading from "It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life." I recommend this inspirational and insightful book to any woman who "strive[s]too hard to make it just right".