My previous home collected roly polys like they were going out of style. Certain corners of the basement housed families of these bugs. As hard as they tried, they did not endear themselves to me. The word nuisance comes to my mind as I remember how I swept them away only to discover them taking root in the same spot a day later.
My view of these little creatures has done a 180 because who wouldn’t love a roly poly named “Dainty Doodlebug”? For the last month, I snuck moments here and there in between moving to read Holley Gerth’s new book, Fiercehearted Live Fully, Love Bravely. In one of the beginning chapters, Holley shares the story of Dainty Doodlebug, which was her favorite bedtime story lovingly created by her mom. This story and lesson captivated me.
[Tweet “How does a roly poly named Dainty Doodlebug test your faith? #fiercehearted #bookrelease”]
Throughout this new book, unique stories of Holley growing up grace the page. Even though the stories were of Holley’s childhood, I found myself nodding my head in agreement over and over. I remember similar stories of my own, but don’t know if I always pondered the same lessons.
Fiercehearted is a book for all women of any stage of life. Dainty Doodlebug brings the reader back to a time of childhood where play was as easy as breathing. When we grow into our more mature selves, we lose this piece of childhood because we are afraid to get messy. Faith is a journey of messy and trust and that it is okay.
Holley encourages us throughout and we begin to believe we can live fully and love bravely. She cheers us on by:
Reminding us we are braver than we feel, stronger than we know and loved more than we’ve yet to see.
Calling us to live our own imperfect stories without comparison.
Showing us that life is not neat like a perfectly wrapped package. It is messy and frustrating but that’s because we are so human.
Pointing out that God is always with us, even in the divine ordinary.
Looking at each other and discovering we are all “God-miracles”, full of beauty, wonder and God’s infinite, incomprehensible doing.
Holley is not afraid to tackle fear, comparison, perfectionism, grief and more. She takes these topics and scatters grace, God’s truth and understanding throughout. Fiercehearted is not for the fainthearted, but is sure to capture your heart and fill you with reminders of the beautiful you God created.
[Tweet “Fiercehearted by @HolleyGerth is not for the fainthearted, but is sure to capture your heart.”]
I will never look at roly polys the same again. God takes even the smallest creatures to teach us that in our stubbornness or imperfection, we still belong to Him. Holley ends her chapter on “What I Know Now” with these words:
Let’s remember we are all still in the middle of the messy, beautiful work of becoming.
We spend our lives becoming. But along the way through childhood to adulthood we can lose a sense of who we are. God pulls us back by reminding us of His love, grace and strength. Fiercehearted takes us on the journey of rediscovering we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Join me today in cheering on Holley Gerth as Fiercehearted steps out into the world. Order your own copy at:
For more information about this book and Holley Gerth, visit here.
Blessings,
Come join me as I join other fabulous writers here!
Mary, I love Holley’s book. You inspired me to find some time today to read a bit more. You wrote a great review.
I hope you have had a chance to read more of Holley’s book. She certainly knows how to speak to my heart with her writing. Thank you for your kind words.
So glad you find time to read while you moved. I didn’t get my copy of Holley’s book early because it got lost between addresses, so I still have to read it. Maybe next week…we’re having an Open House this week to celebrate God’s goodness.
I actually read Holley’s book in snatches because there were times I was too tired to unpack one more box but not to read. I hope you find the time to read Holley’s book. She speaks my language and the timing of her book was perfect for me. Love seeing you here!
“We spend our lives becoming. But along the way through childhood to adulthood we can lose a sense of who we are. God pulls us back by reminding us of His love, grace and strength. Fiercehearted takes us on the journey of rediscovering we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” –> THIS is what this book was for me too. Thanks for sharing. And happy Friday!
I could have written about so many different parts of Holley’s book. As you know it is so good and full of so many good reminders of who we are as a child of God. I know you have had a busy Fall. I pray things are settling down in your little corner of the world.
Mary, thanks for sharing Holley’s reminder that we’re all in process. None of us has arrived and God still has much to do in our lives! I’m seeing her book here and there these days … she is such a blessing to so many.
And hers is the only weekly linkup I do. I find a lovely community there who actively encourage one another.
Love that.
Thanks for sharing her book with us … and I hope you’re settling in well and are enjoying the transition’s challenges and surprises!
I know I sighed just a little as I read her words that we are still becoming. I don’t have to have it all right or perfect. I’m not sure why I beat myself up over this sometimes.
Holley is a beautiful blessing. She is the real deal and I have loved being on her launch team. I am settling in and getting ready to begin opening up my home more for others to come pray, learn and just be.
She’s back and we’re neighbors! At Barbie’s!
Mary,
I will now think of your post and Holley’s encouragement when I encounter roly polys on my walks with my beagle. What a wonderful review of Holley’s book….I need to get my hands on a copy! Yes, we have to live in the already complete-not quite yet world and this sounds like a great aid for where we are in the middle of becoming. Thanks!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Dear Mary,
This book keeps popping up everywhere, and it sounds so good! Years ago my daughter and her friends enjoyed looking for those little roly-polies all through our gardens. So maybe this would be a great book for her! 🙂 Thanks for this great review! Blessings to you!
There must be a reason you keep seeing this book pop up everywhere! 😉 The book contains so much more than the story of Dainty Doodlebug. It is a story of learning how we can live fully and love bravely. Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Mary! I needed this reminder (and I probably need the book, too!). Here’s to your new home (hopefully without too many roly poly bugs hiding in your basement!
I am sure we all could benefit from the book but definitely not the roly polys. The good thing is that I don’t have a basement in my new home so hopefully no roly polys unless they show up in the garage.
Mary, what a lovely review! This book sounds like a delightful read.
One thing I loved that you shared is: “We spend our lives becoming. But along the way through childhood to adulthood we can lose a sense of who we are.”
SUCH true words. I’ve had to learn who I really am, who God created me to be. May we re-find who we really are.
thanks for sharing this, friend.
I am walking this path with you of rediscovering me over and over. Holley’s book challenged me to look deep inside myself to find me but also to realize I’ve always been there all along.
I know in my life I have spent time covering up the real me, at times, because it helped to protect those deep feelings and emotions. I am on the path of opening up who I really am in order to live fully and love bravely. Blessings to you!
I had to look up what a roly poly bug was! Yes, they are small creatures I’d prefer not to have around, yet perception can change when we look at them differently! I look forward to reading Holley’s book in the very near future!
Our perception changes when we look at things through other’s eyes or through God’s eyes. Even though bugs are not my favorite I can see and understand why we need them as well as the point Holley was making. I hope you find Holley’s book as wonderful as I did.
I’ll have to add this to my to read file!
I hope you do! Happy Sunday!
LOVE this! I am still reading my copy but noticed that I had slowed WAY down once I was nearing the end! I just don’t want it to be over!
I tend to slow down too when I love a book. I imagine you also were slowing down due to a little someone who is now in your life. Congratulations on your sweet granddaughter.
This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing about it, Mary! I always need to be reminded of these truths: “We are braver than we feel, stronger than we know and loved more than we’ve yet to see.”
Those are truths I need to be reminded of too. Holley not only builds on that but dives into other aspects of who we are by addressing grief, perfectionism, comparison and more. I know you read a lot of books but I hope you put this one on your list.
Thanks for sharing, Mary! This sounds like a great book. I enjoy Holley’s writing and your review definitely makes me want to read this.
I hope you do end up reading this book. Besides coming at the perfect time for me it also spoke so clearly to me about the fact we are born fierce-hearted and God loves us exactly as we are. Thank you for being here.
Thank you, Mary, for this beautiful review. Would you believe I even looked up “roly poly” after the first sentence? No answer. 😉 As I read on, I got the idea. 🙂 I love how you captured our attention. 🙂 Love and hugs!
I love that you looked up roly poly. I used to call them pill bugs when I was younger. Who knows what the real name is for the creatures?
I’m so glad you stuck with my review even though you didn’t know what a roly poly was. Holley has a way of writing that speaks to me and into me. Blessings!
Beautiful book review. I have been reading bits and pieces here and there of Holley’s book coming out but reading this review increased my desire to read every page of this book.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Lureta! I am blessed you joined me today and I hope you find this book to be just as wonderful as I did. Blessings!
How could I NOT read a post with that title?
Every word I read about Holley’s book makes me more eager to dive in.
Thanks for sharing your own roly poly story!
Ha! I was hoping the title would draw people in. I hope you get a chance to start the book soon. It has really been the perfect book for me right now. Thanks for stopping by!