Tag: books for moms

Book Review | Hope Unfolding

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Hope Unfolding: Grace-Filled Truth for the Momma’s Heart
by Becky Thompson

I think what every mom truly needs deep down is for someone to say, “I see you.  You’re doing a great job.  We’re in this together.”  That’s Becky Thompson’s message in her book, Hope Unfolding.  She’s giving all the moms out there, especially the young moms in those toddler/preschool/early elementary years, the promise of hope and the encouragement we need when we’re weary.hopeunfolding

The book includes 10 messages moms need to hear like: You’re Not Alone, God Hasn’t Forgotten About You, You Are Not Your Mess, God Loves You Just As You Are, You Are Enough, etc.  She uses her own personal stories, both funny and sad, and adds in a light touch of Scripture for each theme.  The chapters conclude with “Let’s Talk” where she ‘chats’ a bit with the reader, “Let’s Pray” and “Let’s Hope,” which picks out the big-idea and shares it in just a sentence or two.

Hope Unfolding isn’t a parenting how-to book and it’s not a Bible study.  The looks at Scripture are quick and encouraging without digging very deep.  It’s a lovely look into another mom’s heart and a reminder that we’re in this together, and reads very much like extended mommy-blog posts.  The book could also make a wonderful gift for young moms who maybe just need 5 minutes of ‘hope,’ a cup of tea and some chocolate to help them remember the beauty of this holy calling despite the mess of the moment.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclaimer:   Heather King is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Be The Mom, Book Review

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Be the Mom: Overcome Attitude Traps and Enjoy Your Kids (Focus on the Family)
by Tracey Lanter Eyster


Sighing.  I find myself doing it a lot some days.  It’s because I’m not a huge fan of interruptions and it’s because I’m selfish and neither of those issues mesh well with life as a work-at-home mom of three young daughters.bethemom

So, I sigh.  “Mom, can you?”  Big, shoulder-heaving sigh.  “Mom, I need help . .. ” Deeply dramatic sigh.  “Mom, I’m thirsty.  I’m hungry.  I’m tired.  Can I cuddle?  Can we play Candy Land?”   More sighing.

Sometimes (maybe more often than that), I need the reminders in Tracey Eyster’s book on being the mom—that this time with my young kids is precious and short-term, gone before I know it.  She hits on attitude “traps” that probably many of us fall into—feeling like a martyr, trying to do this whole mom-thing like everyone else tells us to, being too busy to stop and build into relationships with our kids, and even feeling like we’re of little value.  Yes, we begin to feel like we’re “just a mom.”

With lots of grace, humor and vulnerability about her own tough mom moments, Eyster gives us an attitude check.  She’s laced practical tips with Scriptural encouragement and storytelling, making this book feel like a big sister or an older friend sharing some wisdom she’s learned along the way.

Chances are good that if you are a mom, you’ll find yourself somewhere on these pages.  I did at times.  And when I did, I was reminded to make some changes so my kids feel like they are important to me, worthy of my attention and not the recipients of sighing anytime they need my help or affection.

She writes at the end, “There are no perfect moms, and there are no tips or suggestions that will make you the world’s best mom.  But there are practical tips and training that can embolden you to stay the course.”  Books like hers give us the pick-me-up, gentle reminders and advice we need maybe not to be a perfect mom or the world’s bet mom, but to be a better mom.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Summer Reading 2013

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“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me” (C.S. Lewis)

My kids are counting down the days.   Truthfully, maybe it’s me counting them down with excitement.   Summer break….eight days away.

Sure that means nights mostly free of activities, homework, projects, and studying.  It means unrushed mornings (most days) and no packing lunches in the evenings.8117936_m

And it means summer reading!

Last year, I hoped that my kids would bring home a summer reading list.  They didn’t.  I wanted the book suggestions, the new discoveries and great recommendations.  Instead, they toted home a reading log with a promise of a popcorn party if they read the required amount this summer.  We had to pop over to the school in July for extra reading log sheets.  Maybe they didn’t need recommendations after all?

Perhaps summer reading for you means enjoying books by the pool or in a lawn chair along the sandy beach, basking in the sun. Maybe it means “beach books,” light and funny.  Or perhaps it means tackling the heavy reading you don’t have the time and energy for the rest of the year.

I know what my summer calendar looks like.  Most of my summer reading will probably happen in the car, waiting for my kids to finish this camp and that class—theater camp, art camp, sewing classes, library programs, dance lessons.  The books just come along with me.

Whatever your summer reading location-of-choice and whether you’re choosing nonfiction, fiction, classics or light reading, theology or devotionals, I’d love to hear what’s on your summer reading list!

Here are some books that I recommend and some that are loaded onto my Kindle waiting to be read:

I’ll also be participating over at Women’s Bible Cafe in the Beth Moore summer Bible study. This summer, we’ll be joining with thousands of women worldwide to study Priscilla Shirer’s new Bible study: Gideon.  I get goosebumps just thinking of that unity in pursuing the deep study of God’s Word!

Please take a moment and leave a comment with some book recommendations or let us know what is on your reading list this summer!

Heather King is a wife, mom, Bible Study teacher, writer and worship leader.  Most importantly, she is a Christ follower with a desire to help others apply the Bible to everyday life with all its mess, noise, and busyness.  Her upcoming book, Ask Me Anything, Lord: Opening Our Hearts to God’s Questions, will be released in November 2013!  To read more devotionals by Heather King, click here.

Copyright © 2013 Heather King