
I was excited to read the whole story – her whole story – in one place. And after letting the book sink in for a couple of weeks (I read the whole thing in a single day!), I still can’t seem to summarize what it has meant to me in the form of a blog post.
Kristen’s story is raw and honest and funny. I cried happy tears and sad tears – all within a single chapter. Over and over again.

Since I’ve struggled with how to talk about this book, I thought maybe the best way would be to share a few quotes from the book and tell you how they’ve impacted my life. These are pages I marked so that I’d remember them and how they impacted me:
Instead of asking myself, Is her room clean? Did he ace that test? I’m asking, Did I connect with them in a way that I will remember twenty years from now? Did I listen when she called my name four times? Did our hearts meet for a brief moment? Did he know that even when I couldn’t fix the problem, I was there for him? (p. 21)
It’s so easy – too easy – to become disconnected with our kids these days. We struggle to truly build relationships because our lives are too busy with technology and social networks and television. Just busy, busy, busy.
As the days have passed since reading Rhinestone Jesus, I’ve tried to be more conscious of my interactions with my kids – making sure that our time is meaningful and lasting. I really want to connect with my kids in a way that they will remember 20 years from now! Even if everything around me is a mess and I fell like I don’t have time to slow down and look them in the eyes… I have to make myself do it.

“‘Lord, I ask You to take my words and use them for Your glory. I pray that I would say what You want me to and that it will touch others.'” (p.51)
This prayer that Kristen included in her book jolted me. I know this won’t apply to everyone in the same way, but for me, it was about my blog.
I’ve prayed about my blog in the past. I’ve prayed that it would be successful and that I could use the income from it to support my family and others. I’ve prayed about using my time wisely and not being on the computer too much. But I can’t, until now, ever remember praying that God would take my words and use them for His glory. Why didn’t I think to give my work to Him in this way?

For the most part, I blog about cake, and I guess I just didn’t see how God could use that. But now – I’m earnestly seeking Him using anything I do to touch others. In small ways or big ways… I want to point others to Christ.
God wanted me desperate. He wanted me depending on Him, not only for direction, wisdom, and protection, but for every breath I took. Because really I am. (p. 149)
Over the past few years, we have gone through some rough times. And so often it’s easy to try and depend on ourselves instead of depend on Him. Reading Kristen’s story reminded me again and again that we must depend on Him. For every single breath we take. Even when things are a big mess or they’re hard or even when they seem impossible.
Whenever I’m down in the dumps and whining about the obstacles, I’m almost always reminded that if it were easy, I wouldn’t need God. (p. 149)
Every single time, we must turn to Him. And that doesn’t mean it’s always going to work out perfectly or be tied up neatly in a bow. But that doesn’t matter. If we’re relying totally on Jesus Christ, ,we can get through the ugly times just as we get through the wonderful times and we can give Him glory in the process.
These are just a few of the things I marked… I had moments over and over again through the book where I just had to pause and think about what she was saying and how it applied to me.
I’m so thankful to Kristen for sharing her story and if you’re in a place where your life is a mess and you don’t feel like you can be used by God, please read this book. I pray that you will be encouraged and inspired to say YES in your mess too!
Would you like to win a copy of this book? Leave me a comment below and you’ll be entered to win!
Giveaway will close Friday, May 30 at 11:59pm CST. Open for US residents only! I will email the winner as soon as they are chosen with Random.org and they will have 48 hours to reply before new winners are chosen. I was provided a copy of this book for review – all opinions are mine.

Thanks for the giveaway.
What a blessing this book would be.
I began following you while looking for a pop up cake and your instructions were awesome!! I then began following your blog and I must say I truly admire you. Raising 6 kids, homeschooling them and running a cake business not to mention a blog. You inspiring me. As a parent of 3 girls by the end of my day I’m soo exhausting. I then I see a pic of you and your beautiful family and just whisper a prayer for strength and a praise for getting thru my day. You are truly an inspiration and I know that God will pour out many blessings to you and your family because of your unselfishness. God Bless you always
I would love to read this book. So inspiring!
I really enjoy your emails. I only found you a short time ago. I’m trying to do a sugar and bread fast right now. I should be writing my own blog. It’s really tough. I battle with fibromyalgia and gained a whole lot of weight from the meds. And they seem to make it really hard to lose. I hope this fast lasts and helps, for both of us!
Hi Karen! I used random.org and you are the winner!! Please email me at [email protected] with your mailing address!
As I am working on things for my granddaughter’s graduation and my finances are at 0. I find that the worry about how I’m going to get back on my feet and then there is the book. The book that I must read and the burdens that I have to quit carrying on my back and worrying . Such an inspirational message you have shared.
God does use you in many ways. You have shared and said things that impacted my life and way of thinking about certain issues. And, of course, your baked goodies are just “devine!”
I wanted to used my cookies as a way to reach out to people for Jesus and struggle with it because they are only cookies. I need to ask Jesus to direct my steps for His Glory.
I would love to read this book. I think it would give me some peace and guidance I need answered in my life.
I bought the book for a friend who lives out of town and she loves it! It would be great to have a copy of my own to read.