$1.99 End of Summer Book Sale! Check it out!

Summer Reading

We’ve come to the close of our summer reading series, so what perfect timing for a blowout end of summer book sale!

My publisher, Bethany House Publishers, has generously made the Ebook version of my latest book Your Life Still Counts: How God Turns Your Past Into A Beautiful Future available for the crazy price of $1.99! Below is an excerpt from Chapter Seven, which I hope will inspire you to begin believing God has been divinely designing your life all along, and light a flame in your heart for discovering how God can turn ashes into beauty and use the experiences of your past to glorify Him.  My prayer is that after reading this book, you’ll believe God really can turn pain into purpose, even if you’ve never believed it before.

For a limited time only – through August 31 – downloads of the eBook will be available at the sale price of $1.99.  Don’t delay! 

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“If I Was Broken, Would You Just Throw Me Away?”

It was just a simple little comment from my son, said in a teasing manner with no underlying intentions, but it instantly struck a chord in my heart.

My messy kitchen cabinets needed a makeover, so I set out to sort and organize everything in them.

As I was cleaning out the cabinets one by one, I had formed several piles of items on the kitchen counter according to what to keep and what to throw away. One of the items in the dBookCover_YLSCiscard pile was an old broken can opener.

When my little boy walked into the kitchen, he became instantly intrigued with all the “treasures” he saw on the counter. His wide eyes surveyed all the items until they fell upon the broken can opener, which for some reason piqued his curiosity.

As he ran his little hands over it, checking out all the nifty parts of this tiny appliance, he asked if he could play with it, and better yet, he asked if he could keep it. My protective mommy instincts immediately took over, and I quickly expressed to him all the reasons he could not play with this broken can opener (think sharp blades, blunt objects, tangled cords, etc.).

I could not understand why in the world a little boy would want an old, dirty, useless can opener, especially when he had lots of toys scattered about his bedroom. As I spouted off all of the reasons why he could not play with the can opener, he proceeded to continue begging for it and making his case for gaining possession of it.

Finally, growing weary of this discussion, I used my maternal “I mean it” tone and told him to throw the can opener into the trash can and go do something else. Suddenly little Michael’s demeanor completely changed. His shoulders slumped and his skinny little arms hung limp beside his body as if all the bones had left them completely.

Then for extra sentimental effect, he poked out his bottom lip and stared up at me with big, blue, sad-puppy-dog eyes, uttering his question in the sweetest sounding, most pitiful little boy voice he could muster up: “Well Mommy, if I was broken, would you just throw me away?”

Whoa. Didn’t see that one coming. This conversation about a silly can opener just got complicated—but my heart immediately melted. I chuckled, gave him a big hug, and reassured him he was way too valuable to me to ever be thrown away—even if he were completely broken.

Satisfied with my answer, he skipped off with the can opener, probably relishing in knowing that his cuteness had won me over once again. I knew he would lose interest in that silly can opener within minutes, so I just let him be. But I was left standing there stunned, pondering the weight of his question.

My thoughts were snatched back to all those years when I felt like that can opener—broken and useless, void of value. I felt the warm hint of a tear threatening to emerge as my mind wandered back to the dark places of my past. But then a smile washed across my face as God pricked my spirit in the middle of a messy kitchen, reminding me that I was too valuable in His eyes to ever be thrown away. Although I felt like a throw-away person for a long time, I now knew and believed God wanted to keep me forever. He had told me so and proven it to be true. I didn’t expect God to use a silly question from a child to speak reassurance into my heart that day, but I guess we all need a little holy reminder every now and then, even if it comes in the most unexpected of ways.

If you have ever felt broken, void of value, and like a throw away person, my prayer is that you will embrace who you are in Christ and allow Him to fill you with joy and wholeness. I pray that you would see yourself as someone God loves and believe He is right by your side despite what has happened to you, your past sins, current habits, damaged relationships, poor choices, or current challenges.

I pray you never feel like you are just too messed up or broken to be fixed, because no one is ever beyond repair in God’s eyes. He is the ultimate restorer of people, hearts, and lives. You and I are nothing like that dirty, broken can opener. As children of God, we are precious, beautiful, loved, and valuable.

Whatever your situation, and whatever your past, God can mend that crushing feeling of hopelessness and brokenness. God can help you regain your sense of worth by showing you your worth to Him. God has a plan for purpose and beauty in your life—not despite your past, but because of it.

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Download the Ebook of Your Life Still Counts for $1.99 through August 31st. 

Take the promises, truths and life changing challenges of this book even deeper by purchasing the accompanying study guide from my ONLINE STORE.

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This book has been a tremendous help to me! It has taken years of prayers, patience, and learning forgiveness to come to grips with my past, and this book played a huge role in finally helping me to get over that hurdle in my life. I HIGHLY recommend this book if you are struggling with similar issues. If you’re still breathing, God isn’t finished with you yet! Southern Bell

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?” Tracie backs her book up with scripture, truth, hope, and God’s promises. You will be blessed with hope of a brighter future, and a closer walk with Jesus Christ! 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! R Craig

There are two voices a woman can hear: the voice of God or the voice of the enemy. Miles encourages women of all ages to block out that voice of the enemy and completely and totally listen to the voice of God. If you have a past of anything, I highly recommend this book as a mere way to remember that you are not alone in your struggles. Mikala

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. 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. Shai

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.” Ann C

2 Comments

  1. Rachelle Craig on Monday, August 29, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    It has been over a year since I have done this study, and I can still say this is one of the best books that I have ever read! I am so grateful for this book! I am so thankful that I was lead to this study when I was. I went from doubting my faith and His forgiveness, to a beautiful peace in my heart! Understanding and knowing without a doubt, no matter what, I am forgiven, and my life still counts! <3



  2. Diana Rockwell on Monday, August 29, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I loved the study Tracie. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your book. I love the message of this book. I enjoyed being involved, my life still counts. I love the treasure that I was able to meet you this summer. Thank you for the difference you made in my life. Diana



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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