I am taking some time out of my crazy sharing of children's books to share two religious adult books. Both are devotionals. The first is the devotional to go along with a wonderful book I reviewed previously. It is The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk.
Have you ever had one of those days where you know everything is going to go wrong and all you want to do is complain? I was having one of those days. I woke up grumpy and was complaining and then I read one of the short devotionals in this book and my whole attitude changed. It spoke right to me. The title of the specific devotion is "Guard Against Grumbling." How did I happen open up to that one when I needed it most? I think God was speaking through this book. This book reminds us that we are all trying to be the best moms we can be. Some days we succeed and others are not as good, but God doesn't expect us to be perfect. He loves us how we are and wants us to rely on Him and trust Him.
Each devotional is titled and starts with a short scripture verse. Then it goes into the devotional giving a personal story or thoughts on the topic of the verse. Next comes a prayer having to do with the thoughts or story and finally there are a few questions about turning the thoughts into actions in your own home and life. They are each less than two pages and quick reads which is perfect for our busy lives. But those few minutes spent reading are a few minutes spent thinking about God and connecting. Any time we take to connect with God makes us better, so this book is perfect for all those busy, often overworked moms out there. Find time for yourself with this book.
Our next book for today is by Ann Spangler. Now I have read some of her other books and devotionals including Women of the Bible. This devotional study is Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them. This book looks closely at the lives of thirty people of the Bible. Well actually over thirty. There are thirty chapters and each chapter covers a person or group of people. Some groups are treated separately like Adam and Eve. Each have a chapter since their sins and situations are different. Others are together in one chapter like Herodias and Salome. Some names will be familiar and others may not, but each person in this book has sinned and there is something we can relate to and learn from in his or her story.
Each chapter is around ten pages long. This is not a quick five-minute devotional book. It gets into the nitty-gritty of their lives and I know I learned more about some of the characters than I knew. I did not know that Hannah, Samuel's mother, had more children. The details that are put in and the stories that are woven hit me and made me want to read more. Ann tells a good story and does great research to help all of us learn more about the people of the Bible. This book is another wonderful resource for all who want to learn more about the people of God.
