Be Bold in the Broken: How I Found My Courage and Purpose in God's Unconditional Love

By Mary E. Lenaburg and Leah Darrow

Who am I? What is my purpose? Where do I belong?

These questions linger in every season of our lives, but, as Mary Lenaburg learned the hard way, answering them becomes possible only when we direct our hearts to the God who made us and loves us best of all. Following Lenaburg’s example in Be Bold in the Broken will give you the courage and inspiration you need to accept who you are—the good, the bad, and the awkward—and become the woman God made you to be.

Lenaburg desperately wanted to be part of a girl tribe in middle school. She wanted to belong, to have friends—to be seen. So the unathletic, gangly sixth grader tried out for the cheerleading squad. She didn’t have fancy clothes like the other girls and she noticed that everyone else had “a chest.” So Lenaburg stuffed a pair of her brother’s sweat socks into her bra. You can probably guess the rest: One sock fell out when she started a tumbling routine.

When she was still feeling humiliated after several weeks, her father gave her some life-changing advice: “How about next time you just be you, do your best, and let God figure out the rest.”

Lenaburg—the author of Be Brave in the Scared—explores her journey to self-acceptance as she struggled to make sense of who she is and what she had to offer. Relatable anecdotes will make you laugh as Lenaburg answers the questions she is most often asked and shares how she finally learned to own

• her gifts and limitations,
• her dreams and failures,
• her virtues and sins, and
• how God is transforming her by grace.

With personal stories and faith-filled reflections, Lenaburg blazes the path to true identity and purpose in Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press
• Release date: Mar 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646800407

Mary E. Lenaburg

Mary Lenaburg is a full-time Catholic speaker and author of Be Brave in the Scared, which earned a 2020 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers. She has given keynotes at conferences internationally, including the Edel Gathering, the Genius Women’s Conference, the Fiat Conference, Military Council for Catholic Women European Retreat, and the Women of the Word Conference. A writer with Take Up & Read, Lenaburg’s work has appeared in five of their meditation books. She has also contributed to two other books. She has appeared on Catholic radio, TV, and podcasts, including The Jennifer Fulwiler Show, EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, The Hallie Lord Show, The Gist, Busted Halo, and Fountains of Carrots. Lenaburg serves her home parish in many roles, including catechist, sacristan, and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. She and her husband, Jerry, live in Fairfax, Virginia, with their son, Jonathan. Their daughter, Courtney, passed away in 2014.

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