Your Life Still Counts: How God Uses Your Past To Create A Beautiful Future

by Tracie Miles

From one imperfect woman to another, Proverbs 31 speaker Tracie Miles reveals God still has a plan for you-not in spite of your past, but because of it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Faith, Self Help, Psychology, Religion

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Tracie Miles is the Director of COMPEL Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as an Author of five best-selling books including Living Unbroken, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, Stress Less Living and Your Life Still Counts. She is the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program. Tracie is also a contributing author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a monthly contributing writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions which reach over 1.5 million people per day around the globe. Tracie has 3 grown children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.  You can connect with Tracie on her blog at www.traciemiles.com as well as on her Facebook Author page and Instagram.
 

Reviews

[Shelly Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sit here in the corner,
in the dark.

I don't even dream anymore
of a family who will love me
want me
choose me.

They choose the newest babies
still moldable,

smelling sweet.

They choose the ones
who still have a sparkle in their eyes
to match the glimmer of their perfect blond hair.

But You

You walk a little farther
peer a little harder
into shadowy edges,
into the forgotten places.

The forgotten broken

like me.

You slide down the wall to sit beside me
holey hands braced casually on holy knees
like you have all the time in the world
to woo me.

We speak of the past
and you show me your bottle,
the one where you kept every tear.

We speak of the present
and You let me lean on your chest
as I sigh.

You bring up the future
and my walls crumble.

How could they possibly stand
in the force of the adoration
shining in Your eyes?

You hint at amazing things to come.
You promise things I'm almost too scared to hope for...

You take my hand
and lead me out into the sunlight.

I kneel to worship at Your feet,
but you gently lift up my face
and say softly,
“Call Me Abba.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above poem was written by me. My inspiration was a book that came to my mailbox. It's called Your Life Still Counts, and it's by Tracie Miles. Oh, dear ones, each chapter swept me along on a journey that built confidence and assurance and hope and beauty. The beauty of me. That's still hard to say, but it's getting easier.

Tracie has included the stories of 20 wonderful sisters... one in each chapter, woven beautifully into her own story of redemption and rescue. Every woman should read this book. There will be plenty to relate to, lots of encouragement, and practical exercises to get you off and running in this crazy life you've been called to.

[Beth Price-Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. Tracie Miles has written this book with the specific purpose of looking back at your mistakes and, with God's help, letting go of self condemnation.
I decided to try reading this book a couple of weeks ago because I am the worlds worst at beating myself up over past mistakes that I can't go back and change. What Tracie suggests in this book is to look at and own those mistakes and realize that God was there with you and He will use that mistake to turn your life into a story of His glory. The process IS a little uncomfortable to begin with, but once you get started, you can feel the weight that you didn't even realize you were carrying begin to lighten.
The way Tracie wrote this book was great too. When you read it, it like talking with a friend you've known for years. Everything she says is backed up by the Word of God so anyone who reads this will be able to go straight to their Bible and know that the advice Tracie gives in this book is good and sound. I bought this book as a Kindle edition but I am also going to buy the paperback version as well because I will refer to it often.
I highly suggest that everyone read this book!It doesn't matter how large or how small your mistakes were or if you had a rough life or a great one, reading this book is uplifting and who doesn't need to be lifted up at some point?

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a well, written deeply insightful book. I loved how Tracie was so honest and open about her past and lovingly encouraging to remind one that God can turn ones pain into something He can use.
I know sometimes in my own life I struggle with things I have done or not done and wonder how God can love such an unlovable creature such as myself. This book is a great reminder of God's love and forgiveness.

I highly recommend this book for all, as we all have a past and God want's our future to be so much more.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It's a great pick me up when life has not been especially kind, and many people have counted you out, sometimes you have counted yourself out, but God has not! It helps that I wrote one of the stories in the book.

[Beau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was encouraging.

[Lisa Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging. Great gift for someone with anxiety or going through a tough time

[A.C. Cuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God still has a plan for you--not in spite of your past, but because of it! Do regret and shame over your failures, sins, and shortcomings make you wonder how you could ever be loved, much less used, by a holy God? Tracie Miles felt the same way until she discovered the path to healing, peace, and significance.

She helps you recognize that God not only has a purpose for you, but He has prepared you for your divine purpose based specifically on the experiences of your past. Through her own story and stories from other women who have discovered God's purpose for their lives because of adverse experiences, Tracie helps you see how God can turn pain into purpose. You will find forgiveness and healing from the troubles of your past, discover the courage to step out of your comfort zone to help others find hope and strength, and be inspired to step into the beautiful future God divinely designed for you.”

So many of us truly believe that we are forever defined by our mistakes and bad choices and that once we’re found at fault… there is no redemption, there is no forgiveness. In her book, “Your Life Still Counts”, author Tracie Miles, opens wide her own story to show that you are not defined by your mistakes, missteps or greatest sin. She, along with many other women, brings us a remarkable story of forgiveness, redemption and renewal.

Ms. Miles open wide the raw wounds her choices made in her life i.e. an abortion, and invites us in for the journey to wholeness and healing of those wounds. A return to wholeness and healing that is only offered by God intervening in her life and setting before her His choice of how to use her past to create an amazing future.

Each chapter of this book is honestly written and includes a short story of pain and healing from dozens of other women. In addition, we are offered “Purposeful Ponderings’, that provide the reader or for that matter a small group thoughts to ponder on in relation to their own life. I, for one, felt blessed to have been able to read this book. Thank you Ms. Miles.

Visit the Author’s Website: www.traciemiles.com

About the Author: Tracie Miles is a conference speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries and a monthly contributor for the ministry's "Encouragement for Today" devotions. She also has her own active blog as well as popular Facebook and Twitter pages. With a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, she spent fifteen years in the corporate world before becoming a speaker and writer for God's kingdom. Tracie and her husband, Michael, have three children and live in Charlotte, North Carolina

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Christian Book, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

[James Pate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracie Miles had an abortion. Her book, Your Life Still Counts, is about how God has used her to reach out to women facing the same challenges that she faced. Throughout the book, there are stories by women about how they experienced a significant problem (i.e., recovery from abuse, a disability), and how God used them to reach out to and to help people with similar problems. The end of each chapter has questions to help women to figure out how, with God’s help, they can find healing and God’s calling for their lives.

What I particularly enjoyed about the book was its stories. Some of them were from Tracie’s own experiences, which taught Tracie about her value to God, transparency, and perseverance. My personal favorite was Tracie’s story about a young man at a ball game who was trying to get a wave going but did not have any success, yet he kept on trying. According to Tracie, God used that experience to teach her about the value of perseverance. The book also shared other anecdotes, such as the story of how Corrie Ten Bloom and her sister in a concentration camp learned to appreciate the fleas, for they were keeping Nazi guards away and allowing them to continue their Bible study. She also describes the “death-crawl” scene in the Christian movie, Facing the Giants, which is my favorite scene of that movie. Moreover, Tracie draws from stories in the Bible.

Tracie often talks about her resistance to God’s call, since she believed that God was asking her to leave an excellent job with good benefits so she could tell her story and reach out to women struggling over abortion. She was very hesitant to do this, and she questioned whether she was able to fulfill God’s call. At times in the book, she presented following God’s call as a leap of faith. I personally would be very hesitant to take risks without knowing for sure that God was calling me to do so, or to be overly transparent with people I don’t know. In my opinion, the book should have discussed discernment and wisdom more. Still, I appreciated that Tracie said that there are a variety of ways to serve God: that, even if one does not choose to share her story, she can allow her story to shape who she is, such that she can reach people with the love of Christ. Tracie also offered valuable insights about people allowing God to stretch them a bit, how serving God can build one’s faith, and yet how one’s salvation is not dependent on doing tasks for God, but rests in Christ (though Tracie does say that believing in Christ is transformative, and that impacts what believers do, on some level).

The book is specifically for women, so I was not its target audience. Still, I appreciated Tracie’s stories and insights.

The publisher sent me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Your Life Still Counts so much that I did not want it to end which is a pretty rare thing for me when it comes to non-fiction books. Tracie Miles writes in sincere transparency focusing on God’s transforming conviction and encouragement. I absolutely loved this book because it wasn’t written with Pollyanna fluff. Rather, Your Life Still Counts is written in such a way that it promotes self-reflection and the challenge to look beyond the veil of the past.

Tracie tells her own story of the sorrow of abortion. After years of denial of her past, she is drawn by God’s love to reveal her story in an effort to help other women. She goes beyond her own story and includes stories from many other women that are relevant to each chapter. Each chapter also includes thought provoking study questions making this book a great resource for individual or group bible study.
One of my favorite quotes from the book states, “Our human minds can’t comprehend God’s timing because He is God and we are not! But we can rest assured, no matter what promise He has made, it will be met in His appointed time, not ours. Even if in our opinion He is waiting too long to answer our prayers or intervene in our situations, it may be immediate in His realm of sovereignty.” (pg. 43) Tracie reminds the reader that it is never too late to be obedient to God’s calling. She reinforces the truths of Romans 8:28 New Living Translation (NLT): And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Finally, Your Life Still Counts reminds the reader, “God sees our value, even if we don’t, because his perspective is much different from our own. He doesn’t see broken pieces and broken lives because He knows no one is ever too broken for Him. He sees us each as someone with great worth despite how we might see ourselves.” Pg. 87

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion which I’ve provided here.

[CJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tracie Miles wrote this book about an incredibly important topic, how God can use our past to impact other people in our future. He doesn't make mistakes, and our own mistakes can be exactly what he uses to help those who are hurting.

This is an inviting book, with a nice cover and title. I found Miles writing to be engaging, and her stories to be vulnerable without being sensationalistic. I loved the testimonies and questions that were included. Miles wants people to work through their pasts in a God-centered manner and I think the Bible study questions could be a powerful tool for breakthrough in this regard. I can see her work being extremely useful for people wanting to move from painful backgrounds into all God has for them.

I would have liked to see less of an emphasis on public platforms. Not everyone is called to be a public speaker or author. She says this in the book, but I felt it got a little lost in her encouragement to do "big" things for God.

I struggled with theological accuracy a few times. When red flags arose, I wished I could hear why she phrased things as she did. I think some issues may have been a case of misspeaking, not an incorrect Bible interpretation. However, one in particular bothered me. That was in the last chapter, as Miles discussed the Great Commission and fields white for harvest.

Those two passages are about bringing others into relationship with God. It's about the gospel of Christ. His cross, his death, his resurrection, his glory, his gift of salvation. Yet, I felt as if Miles was saying those passages were mostly about us, our future, our destiny, our glory, our goals, our benefit. Maybe you will get another interpretation from that section, but it bothered me.

Overall, the book was encouraging, uplifting and on a very important topic. I am passing it on--with a few comments of concern. Rating: 3.5 of 5.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best books I have ever read! Tracie Miles wrote this book to show women like me who have made past mistakes, that God is always with us. Even when you don't know it, He is there. Tracie shows us how to turn our past into God's purpose. That He has a plan for us and that NOTHING we do can keep Him from loving us! After 8 years of being saved, and growing in my walk with Christ, this book helped me to be freed from the chains that tied me to guilt. I could never shake that feeling of "what if God didn't really forgive me for everything?" She uses women from all over, and their stories of God's love, to show how He can transform our lives from Broken into Beautiful. Upon beginning this book it may seem hard to really dig deep down and do what Tracie suggests, but by doing so, we can be freed from our past, and be given blessed assurance that God does love us, and He forgave us long ago, He never wanted us to live day to day with guilt. The enemy has ways of making us believe his ugly lies, and looking past God's beautiful truth and promises.Tracie backs her book up with scripture, truth, hope, and God's promises. You will be blessed with hope of a brighter future! The interaction with Tracie during this study was amazing, she is so down to earth, and will make you feel like she is your best friend, or the lady next door! Thank you Tracie! You have changed my life, and now I know that, My Life Still Counts! <3

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tracie’s honesty in this book. I started this book crying as I read her story. So heartbreaking and one many women can relate to.

Tracie is writing what I absolutely believe and she even quotes Genesis 5020 in her book :) Her story is definitely a Genesis 5020 story and she shares many other stories in the book that have that same hope.

Tracie gives you practical steps to pursue God’s purpose for you from the pain of your past.

This is a book I will be recommending to my group of ladies who go through my Wounded group. This book is the next step. Use the pain for God’s purpose. Your story for God’s glory.

If you wonder if your pain can be used to help others, pick this book up and then go and share.


A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a moving and thought provoking book. I won this book through Goodreads First Reads. I especially liked at the end of each chapter it provided thoughts for your own reflections for journaling if you choose to do so. I will pass this book on to a friend who really likes this type of spiritual books.

[Tammy Percival · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exceptionally well-written and a great resource for those looking to move past their pain to the greater purpose that God has planned for their lives and will serve as a great inspiration for many! Bravo

[Sarah]

I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. After it's arrived on my doorstep and I've had a chance to read it, I'll formulate my opinions and write a review. Stay tuned!

[Meggie Kornelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read full of truth and encouragement!

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

This book is amazing. I really enjoyed reading it. Tracie is a wonderful author. The book spoke both to my heart and my spirit.

[Heather Britain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!