GFTGG: Chapter 2

Today I am going to cover chapter 2 of Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. 

If you missed my overviews of the prologue and chapter 1 feel free to join me here and then come back. The more I read through this chapter, the more I felt like Emily had been given a magnifying glass right into my life, the struggles of my heart. Now, I'm an extremely emotional mess person (ask my family if you don't believe me, especially my husband) but not once has a book or movie actually moved me to full, real tears. I'm here to admit that this chapter did just that.

As last time, the quotes from the book will be in red and my add ons will be in black. {new} Glimpses into my story will be in purple. Join me, would you? Chapter 2: Chasing Expectation

"...our masks mix with our personality and circumstance. Before we know it we don't really know who we are, and nobody else does either." 

This one hit me square between the eyes. I grew up hiding behind masks...a lot. Some were to protect those I cared about the most, others were to keep myself from getting hurt from anyone and everyone. It wasn't until recently that I've discovered just how hindering these masks had become. These masks have lead me into asking annoying questions of those around me that were meant to help me see my worth to them boost my self esteem.


Expectations and Definitions

"I don't like to fail and I certainly don't want you to know I've failed. And I'm embarrassed at the predictable pattern that my life has become."

Never does it fail when I make a mistake--no matter how small--when it comes to fessing up to it, I struggle with keeping my emotions at bay. Apologizing and admitting I'm wrong or have done something wrong was never something I was taught how to do...at least not well.


The Good Girl

"I had a good reputation to uphold, a sweetness to protect, an important list of rules to follow, an a long list of people to please."

"Good girls are good listeners. Good girls are always there for everyone. Good girls don't get mad. Good girls are laid-back. Good girls roll with the punches, go with the flow, follow the leader."

"...life was a constant battle of trying to get something I didn't think I had, of trying to become who Jesus wanted me to be, of trying to become a better version of myself."

Does someone have a mirror? If so, point it right at me. These quotes describe my thoughts, motives, actions...word-for-word.

A Better Way

"When we believe that God expects us to try hard to become who Jesus wants us to be, we will live in that blurry frustrating land of Should Be rather than trust in The One Who Is."

This one I shared my thoughts on before I read this. Not so much on what we believe, but how our language effects how we live. This happened to fall right in place with this post.

"We must work hard to perform for acceptance, and most of the time we don't even realize we are doing it."

 Lucy's story


I honestly thought that Emily was telling part of my story, only changing the name...

"Things were not as they should be. Little girls are to be protected. They should not have to protect themselves."

"Rather than collapse in despair or self-pity, she chose instead to craft a mask of strength and responsibility."

"Behind my her masks of strength, responsibility, and good performance, she was a tangled mess. And I she was all alone." 

"As good girls, we subconsciously label ourselves as the strong ones, the responsible ones, the sweet ones, or the right ones...But Jesus is calling us to a deeper, truer, freer identity."

I could go into depth on each of these and some day, I just might. Using (at least) these four sentences to let you in on a little more of my life, my childhood, my story and Christ's work through it.

If you're as blessed as I am in being able to read this book, would you join this community and share your growth and learning as you take this journey coming out from under the expectations of good girls? I'd love to hear your thoughts, input, or whatever else you feel lead to share.