Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People

by Kristen Strong, Shannan Martin (Foreword by)

Overview

At one time or another, shifting seasons in family, friendships, employment, and communities will bring each of us face-to-face with the feeling of being on the outside looking in. Because we are made for connection, this will often lead us down one of two roads. Either we will hop on the popular but crowded highway that asks us to do whatever it takes to get noticed, or we'll stand still, paralyzed by the fear that we're not important, loveable, or worth other people's time and attention.

But what if there is another way? With an understanding voice that will speak into your own circumstances, Kristen Strong walks beside you along the less traveled but more satisfying third way—the back road way—to belonging: remaining in Christ and relaxing into the unique role God has for you. Along the way, you will learn simple, doable actions that not only will help you feel and know that you belong but will welcome others in as well.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800735524
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/06/2019
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	287,672
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kristen Strong, author of Girl Meets Change, writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with more hope and less worry. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children. Together this military family zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find her at kristenstrong.com, DaySpring's (in)courage, and on Instagram @kristenstrong.

Table of Contents

Foreword Shannan Martin 9

Acknowledgments 11

Introduction 13

Part I Wandering

1 Sitting Out 23

2 Traveling Extremes 31

3 Getting You 39

4 Extending Kindness to Yourself 50

5 Singing Loudly 59

6 Belonging to Change 68

Part II Finding

7 Growing in the Dark 79

8 Eating Well 87

9 Looking in the Quiet 95

10 Looking into Your People 103

11 Growing Up and Out 112

12 Talking More, Listening Less 120

13 Helping the Hard (but Worth It) Way 129

14 Belonging Isn't for You 136

15 Speaking Up and Out 144

Part III Inviting

16 Being Belong-Makers 155

17 Going There Anyway 164

18 Persevering on the Path 172

19 Arriving at Your Pathway's End 180

Helpful Resources 189

Scriptures That Affirm You Belong 195

Notes 199