Survival Guide for Young Women

Holly Wagner, Nicole Reyes

Description

Navigating the decade of the 20s and beyond can be tricky. Most women are making life-shaping decisions during these crucial years--but how can they know the choices they make now won't mess up the rest of their lives? How can they use this time to lay a foundation that is strong enough to support their long-term dreams?Survival Guide for Young Women is the essential guide for Christian women who long for a lifetime of spiritual meaning and personal fulfillment. Holly Wagner and her 20-something friend Nicole Reyes help readers discover who they are and why they are here. Packed with relatable illustrations and practical tips, this handbook for life will challenge young women to make the most of every minute of their 20s . . . and beyond.

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 08 juin 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441226037
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

© 2012 Holly Wagner and Nicole Reyes
Published by Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.revellbooks.com
Revell edition published 2014
ISBN 978-1-4412-2603-7
Previously published by Regal Books
Ebook edition originally created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® . Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Other versions used are:
AMP —Scripture taken from the Amplified ® Bible , Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
G OD’S W ORD — Scripture taken from GOD’S WORD. GOD’S WORD is a copyrighted work of God’s Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.
T HE M ESSAGE — Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
NASB —Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible , © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
NKJV —Scripture taken from the New King James Version . Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
NLT —Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation , copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
TLB —Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible , copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.
TNIV— Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, Today’s New International Version ® TNIV ® . Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society ® . Used by permission of International Bible Society ® . All rights requested worldwide.
This book is dedicated to all the young women who want to make a difference in the world. Just know that there are women who believe in you and are cheering you on!
— HOLLY
This book is dedicated to my father … your love and support has given me the courage to pursue with passion the purpose for my life! You mean the world to me, and I respect and love you more than words can describe! I also dedicate this book to my pastors, Philip and Holly Wagner. I would not be fulfilling the call of God on my life without your love, example and investment. Your belief in me has made all the difference in my life, and I am eternally thankful!
— NICOLE
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Why Am I Here? How to Discover Your God-given Purpose
2. One of a Kind: How to Celebrate Your Unique Style
3. Healthy Living: How to Live Long and Look Good
4. What’s in Your Wallet? How to Manage Finances
5. Doing Life Together: How to Navigate Friendships
6. Love Life: How to Win at Romance
7. Tying the Knot: Building a Marriage That Lasts
8. Modern Family: How to Maintain a Healthy Household
9. Moving Forward: Overcoming Hurts of the Past
10. It’s All About Jesus: How to Grow in Your Relationship with God
Endnotes
INTRODUCTION
I am sure most of us have experienced one or more “aha” moments in our lives. Let me describe one of mine.
I have read the Bible through a number of times—and I have read the book of Titus many times. However, there was a moment a few years ago when chapter 2 jumped out at me. Basically, this passage challenges older women to assume responsibility for younger women. I thought, Great, when I get to be 103, then I will be an older woman, and I will train up all those young’uns!
I heard a whisper from heaven: “Holly. Is there anyone younger than you on the planet?”
I had to think for a minute.
After all, I am NOT old … so I must be young!
But really … of course there is someone younger than me on the earth.
As soon as I admitted that, I heard heaven again: “Well, Holly, then you are an older woman. As long as there is someone younger than you, you are an older woman.”
Wasn’t sure I really wanted to be called an old woman.
In a sick way, it makes me feel better to call you an old woman, too.
And you are.
You are an old woman.
Why?
Because right now … in your world, there is a woman who is younger than you are.
If you are 16 … you are an old woman.
Why?
Because there are 10-year-olds who need to learn from you.
If you are 25 … you are an old woman.
Why?
Because that 16-year-old needs to know what you know.
If you are 43 … you are an old woman.
Why?
Because there is a 20-something who desperately needs your wisdom.
If you are 99 … you got all of us!
As long as there is someone younger than you on the planet, you are an older woman. And as older women, we have a responsibility. We are to equip, motivate, inspire and train younger women.
At any and every moment, you are both an older woman and a younger woman. You are being handed a baton and passing one off.
As the older women, we should be opening our hearts and our worlds to a younger woman … encouraging her, accepting her and offering her wisdom we have gained. This is not always convenient or easy … but it is so important!! I am to be living my life in such a way that a younger woman actually wants to follow me.
When in younger woman mode … we are in the position of receiving. Most of the time, this means we need to “shutteth uppeth!” We are looking for the wisdom … the insight … the help. So we probably need to be quiet and listen. I have sometimes been guilty, when in younger woman mode, of doing all the talking.
Not smart.
Sometimes we try to make excuses, defend our position, or explain away our lack of knowledge.
Bad idea.
We need to humble ourselves so that we can learn.
I have had the privilege of leading quite a few young women in the past few years. (In other words … I have been their older woman!) My life is richer because they are in it. One of the young women in my world is Nicole Reyes. I have worked with her for almost 10 years. I have watched her grow, make decisions, learn to “shutteth uppeth,” deal with issues in her heart, and be committed to fulfilling God’s purpose for her life. I have also watched her extend her heart and life to her younger women … being committed to seeing them fulfill God’s plan. I have asked her to write this book with me, in the hopes that together our voices would bring even more wisdom.
My desire in writing this book is to share some of the things I have learned over the years. As I was writing, I asked myself, What do I wish I had known when I was in my twenties and thirties? That is what you will find on these pages. Some of it is fun, random nonsense. But some of it really can help you on your journey.
I am asking you to open your heart and be willing to learn. Maybe reading about my mistakes can keep you from making the same ones.
XOXO … HOLLY

It was less than a year ago that Holly and I sat down for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants to chat about ministry, family, guys, and the random other topics one can expect to be discussed by a couple of God Chicks doing life together! This routine had developed organically over the years, and as a younger woman gleaning from the valuable wisdom of such an inspiring older woman, I always looked forward to our time together. At this particular meeting, over a couple of salads and a couple of lattes, we began to dream about writing a book that tackled the real issues young women are facing … and to have fun doing it!
A rush of excitement, mixed with a profound sense of responsibility, came over me as we brought up topics like dating and career and health and discovering purpose and overcoming issues of the heart. Then we both laughed after throwing in the equally important issue of finding the perfect pair of jeans to flatter a girl’s figure! We decided no topic would be off limits. We wanted to do whatever it took to truly inspire and equip young women to navigate well the seasons of life that lie ahead.
Early on in the writing process, I had my own “aha” moment. I realized that this book is more a memoir than anything else. The wisdom and experience I contribute to these pages represent what I have learned over the past 10 years, largely because of the remarkable older women and men in my world.
Holly Wagner, perhaps more than anyone, has beautifully played the role of “older woman” in my life. As my pastor, leader and friend, she has encouraged and challenged me to fulfill my God-given purpose and destiny, to never settle for less, and to laugh more along the way!
When I met Holly, I was just 19 years old … full of dreams and potential, along with my fair share of hurts, brokenness and just plain old stupidity. Fast forward to today … I am a 29-year-old single and fulfilled pastor, teacher and executive team member who oversees different teams and areas of church life. I’ve been able to overcome the hurts of my past and passionately pursue Jesus and His plan for my life. I’m far from perfect, but I’m committed to living out this God-adventure to the fullest, with eternity in mind!
The things I’ve learned as the younger woman in the years between 19 and 29 have made all the difference! I learned to forgive and overcome hurts from my childhood. I learned to communicate honor and respect to men. I learned to lead different types of people. I learned that life isn’