I feel nudged to repost this book review from nearly two years ago. The truths in this book are so needed in our lives and in this world. As I revisit these truths, they have again comforted my heart. I hope they will encourage yours, too.
Does your spirit feel empty, discouraged, and confused? Does it feel like you’re missing something important in your life? Do lies about God, yourself, or others torment you? Do you long to grasp your identity in Christ Jesus? Do you crave a deeper relationship with God?
Wearying of trying to fit her circle into the square expectation of certain key people, Dolly Lee prayed and asked God to show her how He created and designed her. God answered her prayer and led her on a deeper experience of His love.
The journey was far from easy. Through valley lows and mountain highs, God led her on a journey of self-discovery and a deeper experience of His love that can transform and redeem brokenness to beauty.
Dolly’s personal battle with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and God’s transformation through His love and grace has birthed a book that will resonate with many. 7 Days of Soul Care: A Guide to Letting God Do the Extraordinary With Your Ordinary “invites readers to surrender fear and to courageously embrace the journey of living more fully into his or her amazing true identity as God’s Beloved.”
Through creative (and some vulnerable) stories, Scripture, soul-searching journal questions, and heartfelt prayers, Dolly gifts us with highlights of what she learned over the past 17 years and continues to learn. With love and compassion, she invites us into a deeper relationship with God.
The top three takeaways Dolly wants readers to take to heart are:
God created you in love and for love.
God sees you as a masterpiece.
We won’t be able to fully receive God’s love when we believe lies about God, ourselves, or others.
Some of my favorite quotes, one from each day, are:
Being exceptional begins with our connection with God. It has taken me decades to learn relationship with God begins first with our “being” and not with our “doing.”
We have worth because we are created in God’s image.
When I admit and experience my own brokenness and my failure to love well, I see in contrast God’s tender love and grace welcoming me back home. He calls me to rest my weary head on His chest. I don’t need to live by my own limited strength.
The more I remind myself of God’s unconditional love for me, the more I walk in freedom from people–pleasing and perfectionism.
Remember that the cross and not your circumstances are the measure of His great love for you.
I travel away from God whenever I forget I have all I need in Him and instead seek my soul’s fulfillment elsewhere.
It isn’t selfish to make time to care for our minds, souls, and bodies.
Life can get so busy, but that’s all the more reason to rest and nurture our souls. Our time will not be wasted as we read this book slowly and carefully so we can soak in refreshment for our thirsty, weary souls.
“I am the Vine; you are the branches.
The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit,
for [otherwise] apart from Me
[that is, cut off from vital union with Me]
you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 AMP
If you purchase this book, you will be contributing to a worthy cause – the International Justice Mission, a ministry that protects the poor from violence throughout the developing world. Dolly’s hope is to raise at least $500 out of her royalties for this book.
When Dolly needs to remember what is true about God and herself, she listens to songs. One of the songs she listened to during the writing process was “Here’s My Heart” by Casting Crowns.
Dolly Lee believes God’s love can transform a person from the inside-out if one surrenders to His love. She’s thankful God’s grace allows second acts and second chances. She attends Fuller Seminary and writes at her blog Soulstops.com where she invites readers to stop and connect with God. She lives with her family and one lovable dog in California where she loves to hike, read, share meals and laugh with family and friends. Her goal is to collect enough in royalties from the sale of her book, 7 Days of Soul Care, to donate $500 to the work of International Justice Mission.
* The two images were created by Dolly’s daughter.
* I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book but I was not paid to write this review. This is my honest review, based on information from Dolly and my own opinion.
Freed to Fly 
Sounds like an absolutely amazing read, Trudy. Thanks for introducing us to Dolly and her mission.
God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly is an amazing read, Martha. I love that some of the proceeds of Dolly’s book go to such a worthy cause. God bless you, too! May we always take time to rest and nurture our souls!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like such a beautiful book. Thank you for these wonderful affirmations from God’s heart. It is so interesting to me that God led me to re-work an older post today also. He doesn’t want us to forget the ways He has led us here, and He wants to keep taking us deeper into His heart of love for us. Oh, that I would keep my ears open to receive His Word. Love and hugs to you Dear Friend. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I noticed you re-worked an old post, Bettie, but I didn’t get a chance to read it yet. I always look forward to your posts! I couldn’t understand why I didn’t feel at ease to post what I was working on. Even though I edited it time and again, I just didn’t feel the go-ahead from God. I kept asking, “God, what’s wrong?” Then He brought this post to my attention, and I felt the go-ahead. I love what you write here – “He doesn’t want us to forget the ways He has led us here, and He wants to keep taking us deeper into His heart of love for us.” So true. He knew I needed these reminders, and I felt someone else out there needed them, too. Love and hugs to you, too! May we both keep our ears and hearts open to receive God’s wonderful affirmations from His heart!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this book review. I have struggled with anxiety for many years and this past winter, when I took to journaling while studying the names of God, I realized that I wasn’t fully believing God’s love for me, hence my lack of trust and anxiety in the circumstances of life.
This looks like an edifying read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry you struggle with anxiety, Karen. It’s hard to fully take to heart God’s love for us, isn’t it? This book truly is an edifying read. These are truths to remind ourselves of again and again. May we more and more deeply believe God’s love for us and may we always trust His plan!
LikeLike
Like eating nutritionally day after day, it’s important to digest God’s truth over and over too.
Thanks for re-sharing this book and message Trudy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you word that, Lynn. Yes, we truly do need to digest the nutrition of God’s truth over and over. Without it we get malnourished and weary. May His Word be absorbed into our hearts and lives!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trudy, I love how you listen so closely for the Holy Spirit’s direction when you are working on your blog each week. Dolly has so many wonderful things to say about the freedom that comes when we accept God’s love freely and stop trying to earn it. Thanks for posting this today, my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words, Lois. Yes, Dolly has so many wonderful things to say, and her book has nurtured my soul. I’m so prone to forget who I am in Jesus. May we truly and deeply embrace God’s unconditional love for us!
LikeLike
It sounds like a wonderful book, Trudy! Thanks for sharing. I think we all need these times of rest to just be with God, and learning to rest in his love for us makes a huge difference!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly is a wonderful book, Lesley. Yes, we do need those times of being with God and resting in His love. It does make a huge difference! May we moment by moment remember our identity is in Christ and not in our painful pasts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trudy, this sounds like such a good book. The quotes you shared resonate with my heart.
This quote challenged me, because I have a tendency to do it:
“I travel away from God whenever I forget I have all I need in Him and instead seek my soul’s fulfillment elsewhere.”
God has been reminding me that I will find contentment and rest when I stick close with Him.
Sending you hugs, friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s such a soul-nurturing book, Jeanne. It’s so easy to seek our fulfillment elsewhere than in Him, isn’t it? Hugs back to you! May we both stick close to Him, rest in Him, and depend on Him!
LikeLike
The timing is perfect for the sharing of this review. Dolly’s words speak such truth of our identity which goes along perfectly with my post from this past week. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We both needed the reminder, didn’t we, Mary? May we keep reminding each other where our identity lies! May God help us to embrace who we are in Him each and every moment!
LikeLiked by 1 person