I'm especially grateful that they were here while my kids were sick. What first seemed like unfortunate circumstances ended up being quite perfect. I'm not sure I was prepared to deal with throwing up kids and a nursing baby all alone. I was relieved to have the help, even though it did cut into our plans for the week a bit.
But the Steward household is healthy now, my parents are on the road returning to Ohio, and I am jumping back on the blogging train.
And of course, bookworm that I've been lately, I'm posting to tell you about yet another book called Life's Healing Choices.
I first learned about this book from Tony, who received it from his friend who happens to be the author's son. The author is a pastor at Saddleback Church which we were members of in California. He leads the Celebrate Recovery ministry.Tony started reading the book in our last month or so of being in California and said it was incredible. He hasn't had a chance to pick it back up since our move, and I kept passing by the book in our home and thinking, I really need to read that.
With my struggles, that have only been amplified by adding a fourth child into our life, I began to seek out advice, and I felt God drawing me to pick up this book. And finally I heeded.
And wow. It's exactly what I need. It's an incredible testimony to a living, breathing God, because the words on the pages mirror almost exactly the words I've been writing in my journal as I've been processing my life and how to better it. I want to make better choices. I do. You probably do too. And this book lays out a plan for just that, a plan that you can't possibly do on your own.
Incredible, incredible healing lies within the pages of this book due to the power of Jesus Christ. And I'm only on chapter 4.
I would have previously written off this book as only for someone with "real" problems...a sort of alcoholic's anonymous type book. Prideful...I know. Now as I'm delving into it I'm realizing I AM that person with "real" problems. How was I so blind to them before? How was I so arrogant to think I had my act together?
In reality this book is for humanity. We all struggle with some sort of "hang-up, habit or hurt." Don't we?
3 comments:
Yes, oh yes, how we do. I am currently struggling with my humanity and my hang-ups. And it seems there are many these days. I blogged about it last night after an emotional breakdown, but then quickly went back and saved it as a draft today. Why do we hide? I felt like people would judge me. I felt like people would see me as weak and/or unstable. So I hid it from the world. Just like I'd been doing for the last few months. Some things a lot longer than that.
I've been thinking a lot today about finding a book that I can go through. To help me out, but also to give me some alone time. I know the Bible is the obvious first choice, and although I've gone to church all of my life, it's really hard for me to just read it. So this book looks like it will be a great second choice for me right now.
Thanks for sharing! And for being so candid. It's a great encouragement for me. I struggle with all the "fakey" blogs, even though I love them. They seem to just paint a picture of perfection. And that I am not. So I endeavor to blog about the good and the not so good. Real life. It's nice to see someone else that does the same.
Have a great day!
Amber
Sounds great. I'll have to check it out.
I agree with the other Amber! I'm growing tired of the "fakey" blogs too. I think the more real we can be with each other, the more we will see we have in commons and can help each other. Thanks for being a great leader in this Mandy!
Amber S.
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