"In Praise of Plan B" by Dr. Tim Kimmel

Back in October, I was introduced to a great organization while at the Relevant Conference. Family Matters was one of the sponsors of the conference, and I had the opportunity to learn more about them while I was there. When I got home, I "liked" their page on Facebook, adding their updates to my news stream.

A few months ago, as I was browsing my news stream on Facebook, I noticed that Family Matters was promoting a new book that Dr. Tim Kimmel (founder of Family Matters) had just released. It was In Praise of Plan B.

Having found myself in the midst of multiple "plan Bs" in my life, I thought it looked like an interesting and encouraging read, so I contacted Family Matters to see if I could possibly get a copy to read and review on my blog.

Not only were they willing to send me a copy to review, but they also offered to let me giveaway a copy to one of my readers!

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{From the Publisher}

Plan B can actually be Plan Best!

If you travel far enough in life, you're sure to run into some detours. Detours that sidetrack the smooth-running dreams you always envisioned and leave you someplace you never intended to be.

If you're not careful, you can easily grow disillusioned or disappointed at the loss of Plan A. But best-selling author Tim Kimmel, who declares himself "the patron saint of Plan B," is here to help you turn Plan B into Plan Best!

In Praise of Plan B offers memorable, often humorous gems from Kimmel's own experiences as well as others'. The people you'll meet in these pages have all encountered life's various roadblocks, yet they still found a way to soar above it all. You can too!

Here you will find touching, inspirational wisdom for every facet of life, showing you that the Plan B you were forced to settle for will ultimately yield a richer, more rewarding life than Plan A ever could have.

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{My Thoughts}

I'd scheduled my review of In Praise of Plan B for today, knowing that the pile of books on my desk would sit unread if I didn't. However, as of 9:00pm last night I hadn't cracked the cover! Not wanting to put it off any longer, I decided to take it to bed with me and read until I was too tired to read anymore. By 10:30pm I was finished - I'd read it cover to cover!

One of the categories on the back cover of the book lists it as "inspirational," and I would have to agree 100%! This little book is packed full of inspirational stories that brought hope to my life, as I saw time and time again how God's plan (our Plan B) was so much grander and greater than any individual could have ever imagined.

"It's when our own plans don't go right - or often when they get in the way - that we get so busy or distracted that we fail to notice the tremendous joy God gives us in the ordinary." (p. 158)

Whether for personal encouragement, anecdotes for a talk I'm giving, or to share with others in times of struggles, this is a book I'll read time and time again.

I give In Praise of Plan B five out of five stars!

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And now the giveaway! (Leave a comment below for each task you complete.)

• Mandatory: Share an example of a "Plan B" in your life in the comments below.
• Optional: Share this giveaway on Twitter and/or Facebook (be sure to leave a separate comment below for each).
• {Be sure to leave a method for me to contact you if you win!}

Giveaway is open to residents of the contiguous US only. Winner will be chosen at random from all comments on this post. Comments will close on or after 10:00am EST on Thursday, February 17th, 2011. Book for review and giveaway were provided by Family Matters. Opinions expressed are my own.