Book Review:: The Passionate Mom

Susan Merrill is the director of iMom, a online resource for inspiration, information, ideas and insight for moms. She has been asked countless times what makes a mother the best she can be. She never guessed she would find the answer in the book of Nehemiah. Frankly, I thought she was digging kind of deep with this one but why not! The Bible has the blueprint for parenthood, right? Why not some little Old Testament book.

The Passionate Mom takes a very close look at the qualities of Nehemiah and his reactions and pro-actions to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Merrill also takes the concept of building the actual wall into motherhood: "You are the wall and the gates, the protection from the world and the provider of training for life in the world..." She helps moms build their walls brick by brick and mortar by mortar.

There are ten bricks, ten qualities of Nehemiah, that build the wall around our children. Within the ten bricks are the mortar, the glue that holds the bricks together. For example, the first brick is perception. To be perceptive, a mom must have alertness, availability and attentiveness, the mortar. Each chapter is dedicated to a brick and mortar and guides a mom with examples, confessions and ideas on how to use it within her child's life.

The gates have a chapter all to themselves. Merrill shows you how to open and close them to test your child's readiness for the world. She gives five rules to remember when you come to a gate in your child's life. As well as ten gates that can lead to independence, that really train your child for the future. You can't keep your babies walled up forever, they're going to grow and leave, now is your chance to train them for the flood gates.

This book is so jam packed with wonderful guidance to become the best mom that you can be. Ideas that are biblically based, God honoring and actually doable! It's not a quick read. It's one that you must reflect on if you truly want to be the best you can be. If you're looking for direction in motherhood or a pick me up when you get bogged down, this is the book for you!!

Disclaimer: I received this book from BookSneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Taking a Break

As you probably noticed it was almost a month since I last posted a review or anything for that matter.

We have had some amazing things going on in our life that I haven't had time to really focus on reading  AND reviewing books.

So...these things are still going on and will be consuming even more of my time in the next couple weeks.

We read every day, don't worry. If I come across something that is calling to be shared I will. Other than that, wait a few weeks and there will be more!

Book Review: "Unglued Devotional"

I have wanted this book since I saw it previewed on a mom's group facebook page I follow. So when it came up for review I couldn't wait!!!! The book, Unglued: Making Wise Choises in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst, didn't interest me, but the devotional I wanted. I was going to order when I finished the devotional/prayer book I started before it was released but I was very happy to see it come up.

I'm very glad I got it. And I want to read it again when I have the time to do one each day. We have a deadline to do these reviews so I didn't get a chance to do it for the 60 days. I did it more in two days. I definitely want to spend the time reflecting on each day.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,

 Do not fear, I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

In the midst of chaos, out of control emotions, and prayers being cried out for relief, God is there, ready to help. TerKeurst reminds us that it doesn't matter what's going on in your life, what you're feeling, what you're struggling with, God is always bigger. With His unending grace, He can reign in your life, everything, and glue it back together. 

For 60 days TerKeurst addresses areas of "imperfect progress". Imperfect progress meaning that you will slip again, you will fall back, but with God, you can keep progressing, keep going forward. 

The author provides a scripture verse to claim each day and a simple idea how to put it into practice in your life. A quick prayer and love poured out from being in the same situation. Sometimes, when you're completely unglued, that's all you need. Someone to show you that God's love is all you need.

Disclaimer:  I received this book from booksneeze.com for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.