Review: Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors

This is a story of incredible hope. It is a book that will touch your heart and move your spirit. It is not only a story, but it is a real life lived and shared. This book continues to chronicle Katie’s story of moving to Uganda, her ministry, and her family. It tells the story of a life lived in hope despite the trials of living in a different culture without all the resources to meet all the needs. Katie openly and honestly shares the struggles she faces in times of tragedies and difficulties. She tells of her doubts and her sadness when things don’t go as she hoped and prayed. Yet even in the midst of her darkest hours, she continues to meet God and He continues to meet her needs. He is there for her in all of it. He draws her closer and she leans deeper into His care. This is a story of hope that doesn’t despair, of hope that dares to give life to dreams. It is also a love story. She meets her future husband and God gives her a gift of a family with a husband when she no longer hoped for that. But the bigger love story is how God loves her, provides for her, and gives her hope and joy even in the trials.

This story encourages all who dare to hope that it isn’t misplaced if it is hope in God. When we trust Him, we can dare to hope even in the impossible. Even if we don’t get what we prayed for, we can trust God that He has a bigger purpose, that He has a plan, that He loves us and will be with us. Katie’s life will touch people I never will, but in reading this I realize that all our lives can count for something when surrendered to His will. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, can matter as we dare to hope in a God who can do anything, anywhere.

Review: Walk It Out by Tricia Goyer

This book is a challenge to walk out in your life what God’s Word says. Yet it is not a treatise just telling you what to do, but rather an honestly told story of what that looks like in the author’s life. Tricia Goyer shows how it played out in her life as she has done this. She doesn’t pretend that it is all easy or fun, but it is an adventure lived out with God providing what you need as you step out in faith. Her story is real and genuine, expressing her trials and how she overcame them. She speaks truth and love, and you know God is there with her in it all. Tricia’s story touches my heart as there are so many relatable things in her life that are like mine. I felt what she was saying. It made me pause to evaluate and think and pray. Tricia challenges the reader to find out what God is saying to them and then to obey for a most fulfilling life. Not only will your life be changed, but you may touch others’ lives as you walk out God’s calling in your life. This book is a foundation to knowing how to step out and follow God’s plans.

While the above paragraph is my published review, I want to say more about this book. This book speaks to my heart as Tricia is an adoptive mother and so am I. She homeschools. Me, too! She is a writer and I am a wanna-be writer...She has her grandma living with her and I had my grandpa live with us for a time. She speaks in words I understand with emotions I have felt. She has felt despair and wondered if she was on the right track. I know  those feelings, too. She has risen above her trials and has moved forward as God has continued to use her. I want that victory too. I do not want to get stuck in Satan's lies that tell me if I failed, I am no longer able to serve God or walk out His Word. I do not want to be deceived into believing I can not do anything for Him.

God is using this book to challenge me right where I am to look for where He wants me to serve Him next. If you read this book, let me know if you are challenged to see where God will lead you next.