Keeping Your Little Girl Little/ Praying for Your Adult Child

This is most likely more of a parenting blog than a book blog but the irony of the two books on my bedside table struck me in full force today.  I have been reading Stormie OMartin's The Power of Praying for Your Adult Child and journaling the prayers for my oldest and then this weekend, I began reading the book, Six Ways to Keep Your Little Girl Little by Dannah Gresh.   Both books have been convicting in helping me look at the ways I have parented, many times taking things in my own control, rather than turning them over to Christ.  When I think of the day I became a mom and all the hopes and dreams I had for my children I find myself somedays wishing for a "do-over" but that's when I realize that instead of a "do-over", I need to be much better at a "turn-over".  In both books we are encouraged to not only have the resources our children need to maintain their integrity but also the ability to begin to stand up for their beliefs. It doesn't matter if taking that stand begins with the youngest-choosing not to conform to the world, and maintaining her modest style in the clothes she chooses to wear, or the oldest that must learn to claim faith as her own, my role is to turn them over completely to Christ.  This is the hard part for a perfectly  controlling momma, who tends to take all the responsibility upon herself.  I'm certain there will be more to blog about these books as I continue to read them and continue to daily turn over their lives and mine completely to Him.  Join with me on the journey where Danna Gresh and Stormie O'Martin can lead me to the ultimate guidebook-His Holy Word. 

The Hunger Games

On a recommendation from my son's computer teacher, I recently read The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins.  The book takes place in a futuristic society but pulls us back into the time of the gladiators.  We are introduced to Katness early in the book and realize that while she is a central figure in the story, there is much more to her story that we can begin to comprehend.  She demonstrates compassion not only to her family but even strangers she is pitted against in the games.  Her unselfishness is apparent when she takes the place of her younger sister as a participant in the games.  Games designed to entertain but also to remind the citizens of each district of the power of the Capital and their need to remain compliant to the rules.  The book follows Katness throughout her journey to survive the games.  The book can be difficult to read at times but it can also be a way for us to realize the freedoms we are afforded in our country.  It challenged me to look at how we as citizens need to always be mindful of our freedoms and not take them for granted.  It also allowed me to look at my life and wonder if I would be willing to make the sacrifice that we see so many making, whether by choice or "luck of the draw".  Although written from a worldview perspective a Christian cannot help but be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice made for us through Christ. 

The one drawback of the book, is that being a part of a trilogy, the final chapter leaves you hanging-anticipating what will happen next.  Of course from the author's standpoint, she succeeded because of course, the book I downloaded this week, was...Catching Fire. 

Quitter

Quitter would not have been a title I would have typically picked off the shelf but when Andy suggested we read it together on our road trip to Florida this summer, I immediately downloaded it to my Nook.  We've had some great memories of me reading while he navigated the highways on trips through the years.  I guess it's our own version of audio books but we find that the discussions we have while reading together are not only priceless, they are memories that we don't forget! 

As for Jon Acuff, he's an author, I won't forget.  The insights he shares about finding your dream job are so applicable to finding your way in life.  As I read aloud, Jill (19), soon was listening and commenting on how his words and challenges fit with the next generation, just beginning to identify their dream jobs, as we thought about the generation we are in still trying to find our dreams.

Mr. Acuff begins by reminding us "You have the perfect amount of time each day for the things that matter most".  Those words are impactful to me as a wife and mother but I am sure they are also impactful for all who are trying to prioritize what their days should look like. He also reminds us that getting to our "dream job" takes hustle.  "Hustle isn't just doing thte things you love all the time.  Hustle is doing the things you don't enjoy sometimes to earn the right to do the thinkgs you love".  What a great reminder to us all.

As he led us through the steps to quitting your day job in order to find your dream job, it was apparent that it takes a certain personality to be able to consistently work towards this goal.  He says if you miss the goal, you want to be sure you have done everything in your power to meet that goal. 

I think the statement in the book that impacted me the most was his reminder that "don't let the dream you're chasing blind you to the life you already have".  What a great reminder, it doesn't matter what dream you are chasing, we can often let it overshadow the life we are living.  We can put it ahead of the things that really matter and lose site of who we are created to be.  If you've ever dreamed of being a chef, writing a book, being a stay at home mom, piloting an airplane, or just creating a simple life-take the challenge, be a "Quitter".

Cool Beans

Ever notice how every coffee shop comes up with really unique names?  Not being a coffee drinker but loving the atmosphere of a coffee shop is what drew me into reading "Cool Beans" by Erynn Mangum.  This book is a light read, that is perfect for a rainy day or day at the beach.

Maya is a Barista at Cool Beans.  She has a habit of making post-it notes listing reasons for just about anything.  Some of my favorites being, "reasons I love my mother" and "reasons I hate adulthood".  She looks at life with a pretty carefree attitude until she is faced with someone from her past and realizes that she never dealt with her hurt heart.

As she struggles to find God's will for her life, she shares, humor and weaves it with some of the same struggles all Christians face.  She shares from her pastor's as well as friends that help keep her on course.  I loved being reminded of the reasons she loved her mother, because it reminded me of the reasons I love mine.  Maya's reasons ranges from her mother never trying to make her be anything but her to the fact that her mother wasn't necessarily in fashion all the time.  My reasons may be different but what fun it was to put together my own "post-it-note" reasons in my head.

In the midst of her humor and story, Ms. Mangum is able to remind the reader of some truths that we all need to hear.  Take for example, her reference to guilt.  "Everyone thinks of it as a bad thing, but I want you to see it instead as a pathway to getting back on track with God".  Pretty powerful words for a fictional story!  So, coffee drinker or not, grab a cup, and settle down with Cool Beans, you'll be making your own post-it note reasons and thinking about your own relationship with Christ before you get to the last page.

Oxygen

Just finished reading this book, the old fashioned way-a real paperback book!  This past summer, I challenged my sisters to a book club.  My real reason was so we could have an excuse to get together and we all share a passion for reading and between the four of us have a pretty eclectic taste in books.  This was our first "assignment"!  It was pretty appropriate for us to read because we all have doctor's for fathers and three of the four have doctor's for husbands so fictional book with medical threads throughout was probably inevitable for us to read.  We haven't set our date to review Carol Cassella's book "Oxygen" yet, but I have my list of questions and comments so you can get a sneak preview.  The book follows a specific case of Dr. Marie Heaton that had an undesirable outcome.  As a nurse, I have to say a red flag went up for me early on in the book when another anesthesiologist was helping draw up the medication for the case-something nurses, and I assume doctors are taught is not in the standard operating procedures manual!  So in spite of the outcome of the operation, we get to share the insight into Dr. Heaton's life-away from the surgery suite. 

The things that struck me the most, and maybe it is because I knew I would be sharing this book with my family, were her extended family dynamics.   At one point, we are privy to a discussion between Marie and her sister Lori.  Lori's teenage daughter has taken to confiding in her Aunt Marie and Marie is wondering if it bothers Lori that Elsa shares her life with her aunt instead of her mother.  I love Lori's response, "It's the best, Marie.  We hardly even had one mom at her age.  She has two".  I have replayed that phase in my head because with my sisters our mom was always there and we were blessed but I pray that as each of us has some impact on our nieces and nephew's lives, they will know that we love them as deeply as their own mothers do. 

As Marie begins to find her life and her purpose, she is drawn into her sister, Lori's letters. Near the end of the book, Marie states, "Her letters are like movies, television, computer and radio.  They have all those things here, in sputtering and intermittently transmitted, but I prefer the peace of pen and ink for a while"  That phrase reminds me of the power of pen and ink in the words of a book.  I find, I too prefer the peace of pen and ink for a while"  I just can't wait to take that pen and ink and write to my sisters to get that book club date on the calendar!  We've got lots to discuss besides the book, we've got a lifetime of memories to build and share!