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I recently finished a book called The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. Usually when I’m done with a book, it goes back to the library or on our book shelf. But I can’t seem to put this book on the shelf. If I put the book away on the shelf, it’s like I’m done learning from it and I’m not ready to forget and “shelf” all of the wisdom I learned it. I know it sounds kind of silly, but the words that flowed from Lysa’s book and into my heart, transformed a season of my life.
God has been tugging on my heart strings for a while about a few things and His wisdom in this book helped me change my mindset about some of the gullies that been holding me back.
So this book has been sitting on my coffee table for a few weeks because I can’t bare to put it on the shelf. But instead of being reminded that it’s there, it’s been buried under work papers, contracts, a few cook books, my calendar, and my long lost amazon gift card.
I use to be a yes girl, all of the time. Need me to do that for you? Because I will! Want me to take on another project, even though I’m swamped with 3 others – I’ll do it! Being a yes girl seems admirable from the outside. It makes everyone around you think they you’re so great because you have time to take care of your kids and husband, work, volunteer at church and at school, all while agreeing to run the neighborhood car pool and plan the annual summer fundraiser.
Wheww. And while everyone may think you’re so great because you’re helpful and generous of your time, you are feeling tired. Worn out. Unhappy. There is no room for rest in that life. And that was me. And sometimes is still me, especially yesterday.
I was asked to take on a longer term blog project, but I wasn’t in love with the concept and I already had prior commitments that would make taking on this project difficult. But part of me wanted to say yes, the part that’s a worry wart over money. I also felt like I didn’t want to disappoint the client by saying no. So I stopped what I was doing and decided I needed to find some peace about this decision. I unburied The Best Yes and flipped through the pages looking for highlighted passages.
“Saying yes all the time won’t make me wonder woman. It will make me worn out woman.” I think God just spoke to me.
I spent a few more minutes looking through the book, being reminded of truth.
“Don’t let the awkward disappointment of other’s keep you from your best yes appointments with God.”
Just because God places opportunities in front of me doesn’t mean he wants me to say yes to everything. It’s about figuring out what opportunities meld my talents, the calling He has given me, with what my time will realistically allow – and saying yes to those opportunities will be far better than saying yes to everything. Even though saying “no” is difficult, in the process, I’m making room in my heart and my schedule to say “yes” to those opportunities God doesn’t want me to miss out on, best yes opportunities.
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Mango Coconut Cheesecake Jars
Ingredients
- Graham crackers pulsed into crumbs, about 4 tbsp per cup equal to about one pack of crackers
- 2 packages cream cheese, 8 oz each, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 mangos, pureed into about 1 & 1/2 cups
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- ½ cup boiling water
- 1 packet packet
- To top: Shredded coconut and mango slices, optional
Instructions
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
- Using a food processor or blender, pulse the graham crackers into crumbs. Divide the crumbs evenly among the glasses you’ll be using.
- Remove the skin from the mangos and cut the mangos into smaller chunks. Don’t forget there is a seed in the middle. Place the chopped up mango in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Measure out how much mango puree you have, hopefully it’s about 1 & 1/2 cups. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese and sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat until the cream cheese is smooth and fluffy.
- Add in 3/4 cup of the mango puree. If you didn’t get 1 & 1/2 cups of mango puree, simply put in half of what you got. If you got 1 cup mango puree, put in 1/2 cup.
- Add in the coconut milk. Beat the cheesecake mixture using an electric mixer until everything is incorporated.
- Evenly divide the cheesecake mixture among the glasses. Place the glasses in the refrigerator to set for 45-60 minutes.
- Once the cheesecake is firm (no longer liquid-y) begin to make the mango layer.
- In a medium bowl, combine the boiling water and gelatin packet. Stir the gelatin until it dissolves. Add in the rest of the mango puree (half of whatever you had in the beginning) and mix well. Pour the mango layer on top of the cheesecake and return the glasses to the refrigerator to set for 30 minutes. You can also cover the glasses with plastic wrap and refrigerate them overnight.
- If desired, before serving top each cheesecake with a sprinkle of coconut flakes and a few slices of mango.
Beth, thanks for sharing about Lisa Terkeurst’s book. She was just speaking at a conference near me and I missed it due to a funeral. I used to be a yes girl too, God has also been working in my heart. Another book that means a great deal to me is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It deeply touched my heart after our youngest son, Hudson, was born with Down syndrome nearly five years ago. I write a lot about our journey on my blog. Your Mango Coconut Cheesecake Jars are absolutely gorgeous! Yum!!!
Allie, thank you for the book recommendation, I will definitely check that one out!
I totally understand about being over committed! Also These Mango Coconut Cheesecake Jars look sooooo tasty and refreshing!
Oh yes. It’s like we have a disease to please everyone!
What a wonderful post! It is hard for me to say no as well, I hate to let anyone down, so thanks for sharing!!
We can encourage each other to say no to things that aren’t as important!
Beautiful dessert as always, Beth! I hear you on the book. There are just some books that hit me and I immediately want to read them again (or at least get others to read them!)
Yes! It’s hard when you know that a book would be perfect for someone, but you don’t want them to think that you think that they need the book!
Being able to tell people no is so hard for me too. I feel like I’m disappointing them. At the same time though if you say yes to everything there is no time left for yourself. Saying no is a hard skill to master. However, I could never say no to one of these mango coconut cheesecakes! So pretty!
Aww! Perfect solution, never say no to no bake cheesecake :)
I was thinking about reading that book, I’d heard it was great, now I think I need to read it! These cheesecakes look fantastic!
It’s so good Stacey!
Obsessed with the fresh mango and the easy and lovely presentation. So yum :)
Thanks Medha!
For nearly a year straight, I was completely overwhelmed and overworked, because I just couldn’t get myself to say no. I am finally becoming better at backing off, but I can relate to so much of what you said here. Thank you so much for this honest, thoughtful reflection Beth.
I think it will continually be a learning process!
Beth, thanks a lot for sharing about Lisa Terkeurst’s book. This book seems to be very good. I used to be a yes girl for a long time. But now I know when I have to say “no” because I was constantly feeling worn out. With time you will learn that say ‘no” it is not a bad thing at all ;-)
Your Mango Coconut Cheesecake Jars looks absolutely beautiful and delicious too!!!
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Learning to say no is very.. empowering!
My husband is a HUGE mango fan. He would love these Beth! I have to wait until mango season here but I will have to try this!
Sounds like a great plan!