Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story

God is still writing your story

What happens when life doesn't turn out the way you always imagined? How do you stay hopeful when disappointments, unfulfilled longings, and frustrating detours come knocking on your door? Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal have asked these same questions themselves.

In Not Part of the Plan, they open up their lives in the most raw and relatable way, sharing their own journeys through unexpected seasons of infertility, singleness, loss, and heartbreak. But in the midst of it all, they've learned that true hope doesn't come from getting the life you always dreamed of but from trusting God with the life He has for you and believing that His plans truly are good.

Sister, wherever you are on your journey, your life has purpose and meaning in Christ, and thriving is possible--right now.


"If life has thrown you a curveball and your future feels hard and scary, Not Part of the Plan is the book for you. You'll laugh. You'll cry. But most of all, you'll appreciate the advice of these wise friends as they teach you how to walk through pain and uncertainty and lead you toward a hope-filled tomorrow."--Mary A. Kassian, author of Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild

"Bethany and Kristen address the struggles we face when life takes unwanted detours and show us through Scripture and experience that our ultimate hope is found in Christ. Even in life's disappointments, we can be completely confident in God's greater plan that is for our good and for His glory."--Gretchen Saffles, author of The Well-Watered Woman, founder of Well-Watered Women

Kristen Clark is married to her best friend, Zack, and is cofounder of Girl Defined Ministries. She is passionate about promoting the message of God-defined womanhood through blogging, speaking, mentoring young women, and hosting Bible studies in her living room. In the end, she's just a fun-lovin' Texas girl who adores all things outdoors and drinks coffee whenever possible.

Kristen and her sister, Bethany Beal, are the authors of Girl Defined, Love Defined, Not Part of the Plan, Shine Bright, and Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart.

Bethany Beal is head-over-heels in love with her best friend and husband, David, and is the super-proud mommy of Davey Jr. She is cofounder of Girl Defined Ministries and is passionate about spreading the truth of biblical womanhood through writing, speaking, and mentoring young women. To her family and close friends, she is simply a tall blonde girl who is obsessed with iced lattes and can't get enough of her sweet baby, Davey Jr.

Bethany and her sister, Kristen Clark, are the authors of Girl Defined, Love Defined, Not Part of the Plan, Shine Bright, and Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart.