Made Like Martha

"Are you a doer--one who loves to check things off her daily to-accomplish list? Are your desire to be productive and your confident, capable ways often subtly (or even overtly) slammed by others, making you feel less spiritual than your laid-back, easygoing friends? Made Like Martha will infuse your life with a fresh perspective as you learn to embrace your God-given personality and also discover how--and when--to rest and retreat." --Karen Ehman, Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, New York Times best-selling author of Keep It Shut: What to Say, How to Say It, and When to Say Nothing at All, wife, and mother of three "Made Like Martha is the gospel for go-getters. Within these pages, Reid silences the voices that push, 'Do more. Be more. Achieve more.' Those persistent taunts are covered by the glorious blanket of God's lavish grace and unconditional love. Allow yourself to be wrapped in the reminder that you are enough because He is enough. If you've ever been tempted to think that your worth is affected by your work, this book is for you. Made Like Martha is an open invitation to rest secure in your identity as a beloved daughter of God because of what Christ has already done." --Kate Motaung, author of A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging "Finally! A permission-giving read for us go-getters to live out who we are created to be without shame. Made Like Martha is my new go-to gift for leaders, hard workers, and passionate women who long to listen to God's voice and know peace when they're tempted to hustle. Katie shares from a space of wisdom, grace, and authentic humility; a beautiful reminder that God isn't out to change us but simply to love us. Marthas included." --Bekah Jane Pogue, author of Choosing Real: An Invitation to Celebrate When Life Doesn't Go as Planned, national speaker, writing and speaking coach, and soul care provider at BekahPogue.com "For those who long to get off the merry-go-round of striving, Katie's words are a welcome invitation to let go of trying harder and instead rest in your identity as a beloved daughter." --Holley Gerth, best-selling author of You're Already Amazing "Doers can finally breathe a sigh of relief and find rest in who God created them to be. Katie's words bring freedom to stop striving and start thriving as His beloved daughter." --Erin H. Warren, women's ministry director at First Baptist Orlando "As the firstborn in a family of six preacher's kids, I have always identified with Martha. Somebody has to be in charge of food preparation, cleanup, and the agenda when a group of friends or relatives gathers in my home! In Made Like Martha, Katie Reid knocks the ball out of the park as she reveals how much God loves doers and longs for them to find their identity in Him while they live out their calling and purpose. Read it for yourself first and then gather a group of women together and go through the Bible study. How do I describe this book? Honest. Powerful. Humorous. Deep. Encouraging. Inspiring. Applicable. Don't miss it!" --Carol Kent, speaker and author of He Holds My Hand: Experiencing God's Presence and Protection "Katie will take you and your weary Martha-self on a journey to abundant freedom. If you are a doer, do yourself a favor and read this book. And all the Marthas sing 'hallelujah!'" --Jami Amerine, author of Stolen Jesus: An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior "Martha tends to get a bad rap, but God loves the Marthas of the world--the doers, the get-it-done-whatever-the-cost girls. He loves us in spite of our striving and doing. Katie M. Reid, in her wonderful new book, Made Like Martha, reminds us we are worth so much more to God than we could ever imagine, so much more than any task we can ever do for Him. Katie beautifully illustrates ways we can learn to serve others from a place of strength, not striving, a place of worship, not worry. Katie shares so much wisdom and practical application (plus a fantastic bonus Bible study) that if you identify more as Martha than Mary, you will rejoice in learning how to stay calm in the chaos, how to find a balance between striving and slowing down, and how to finally rejoice in the woman God created you to be." --Kate Battistelli, author of Growing Great Kids: Partner with God to Cultivate His Purpose in Your Child's Life and mother of Grammy Award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli "If you've ever wondered if you were 'too much' or known a faint awareness that you can overwhelm people with your energy, enthusiasm, and ability to do all things, Made Like Martha is for you. Katie combines poignant storytelling and powerful Scripture teaching into an invitation for us to lay aside our personal expectations and to-do lists and embrace the call of Christ--not to do, but to be. By sharing her journey of finding contentment in her personality and courage to live in God's purpose, Katie challenges, inspires, and encourages all women to embrace their own personalities and purpose." --Teri Lynne Underwood, author of Praying for Girls: Asking God for the Things They Need Most "'Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I'm made like Martha.' At last I can say those words with my chin held high, knowing Jesus loves me as much as He loves all the Marys in the world. This book was just what my Martha-heart needed. I felt affirmed in who I am and learned how to find peace and rest in the midst of my busy life." --Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of The Happiness Dare and Love Idol "There are some women in my life who just don't stop. Made like Martha, they are always on the go. They strive and are often left physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted. For years, I have struggled to find words to encourage these dear friends. As it turns out, I was just waiting for Katie Reid to finish writing this book. In a world that often praises Mary for pausing to spend time with the Lord, Katie shares the Father's heart for the women He made to be like Martha. This long-awaited resource full of practical encouragement will bring freedom and rest to all who read it." --Becky Thompson, best-selling author of Love Unending and Hope Unfolding "For most of my life my 'Martha-ness' cast a shadow of perfectionism and a need to control over every situation. The striving, working, and doing left little room for grace for myself or those around me. Like Katie, I had to come to the realization that my God-given gifts and tendencies would actually only be able to effectively glorify and honor Him if I let go of my desire to micromanage. Made Like Martha takes you on a gentle, truth-filled journey to the freedom you perhaps don't even realize your soul is craving. And it's there, in that freedom where giftings and grace beautifully collide, that we become women who can serve from a place of peace rather than perfection." --Vanessa Hunt, coauthor of Life in Season: Celebrate the Moments That Fill Your Heart and Home and founder of AtThePicketFence.com "When you're exhausted from the try-hard, dizzy-busy life of striving to accomplish it all, while attempting to do it better than before, Made Like Martha's message of hope, truth, and freedom is the rest you need. Katie's deep and practical insight into the tension surrounding Martha's personality gives every woman permission to celebrate exactly who and how God made her to be--doer and all." --Jen Schmidt, blogger behind Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, author of Just Open the Door, and host of the Becoming Conference "I'm a doer. Maybe you are too. I work hard, love to check off my to-do list, and enjoy feeling accomplished. At least I did until I was diagnosed with a serious illness. My new limitations caused me to question my value and purpose. In Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done, Katie M. Reid helped me recalibrate and find strength in service and peace, even when busy and weak. She speaks to the deepest places of fear and fatigue that often chase after first responders, primary care givers, and those who love to take charge and leads us to give up a lifestyle of striving while embracing a new way of living--settled, even when busy. If you ever had a secret sympathy for Martha, you will love this book, and you will love Katie. Prepare to be encouraged." --Jan Greenwood, Equip pastor at Gateway Church and author of Women at War "What a beautiful invitation to leave the try-hard life behind and just belong to Jesus! This Martha is grateful." --Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World "As a lifelong overachiever, I've been called (by others but also by myself) bossy, type A, a perfectionist, and more. Reading Made Like Martha was the first time I felt as though someone acknowledged those parts of my personality as something good and then reminded me that I'm also called beloved. This book offers a 'me too' hug from a fellow doer who knows that we are exactly the way God created us to be, as well as the relief of letting go of the burden to get it all done and get it all right. With gentle confidence Katie Reid speaks from her own experience, and it's almost as if she's taken a look inside my journal and at my to-do list as well. She points readers to the truth and real-life implications of Jesus's genuine affection for Martha and those of us made like her." --Mary Carver, blogger and coauthor of Choose Joy: Finding Hope and Purpose When Life Hurts "I want to sit at Jesus's feet just like Mary did, but the reality is I'm a hardworking woman more like Martha. Is it possible to thrive with a to-do list in our hands and a prayer in our hearts? In Made Like Martha, Katie M. Reid tells us how. For the dependable woman who feels as if it's all up to her, this is a message of hope. For the overwhelmed woman attempting to do it all, this is an invitation to freedom. For the discouraged woman who feels as though she's not enough, this is an anthem of grace." --Wendy Speake, coauthor of Triggers, Parenting Scripts, and Life Creative