Don't Protect Me

 

Life has been hectic for us lately, even a bit chaotic. Our family has been going through some trials. Some of them are big and lots of people know about them. Some are normal things that everyone faces. Some are things only those involved know about. Some days it is overwhelming.

But life goes on, for us, for you, too.

We all have struggles in life. I know others besides me are going through things. Please don’t decide to not share with me. Please don’t try to protect me. Please don’t decide for me what I can handle. Do not choose to not talk to me or share with me what’s going on in your life because it would be too much for me. Even if I cannot bring you a meal today, I can pray for you. I care about my friends, family, and others. Let me care, let me help if I can.

When you choose not to share with me, then I feel I cannot share with you either. If we hold ourselves apart in order to not burden each other, we lose our vulnerability. We lose that sense of true friendship where we can talk about life freely.

When we don’t share, we also lose our chance to talk about how God is there in the midst of trials. We miss hearing about His faithfulness, how He is helping us through it, strengthening us. No matter how much I am hurting, I have stories of God’s goodness to tell. Let me tell you. Tell me yours so I can be encouraged.

If you don’t share with me about your life, good or bad, I feel alone. I feel like maybe I can’t handle things. I feel like I have to just handle it alone because others are handling their lives. But God made us for community. I need you in my life. We are stronger together.

When you do share with me, it distracts me from my own troubles. It gives me something else to think about. It changes my prayer focus outward to someone else. It keeps me from getting stuck in my own worries. It helps me to not center just on what I am feeling. It is good for me to refocus on other things.

I need you to be my friend, in the hard times and the good times. I want to share in your joy. I want to share your burdens. I want to encourage you. I want you to encourage me. We may not solve each other’s problems, but we can listen to each other. We can be there for each other. We can pray for each other. We can help each other. This can happen, but only if we choose to be vulnerable, to be real with each other. Don’t protect me; join me in life.

Returning to Church

 

Psalm 122:1 says “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

I went back to church last Sunday for the first time in a year. I was able to take communion and worship with my church family. I got to worship along side of my newly married (6 months) daughter and her husband for the first time. My granddaughter sat in our pew.

I cried through the first songs as I was overcome with emotion. I had missed this. I had missed it so much.

Sunday is the first day of the week. Going to church was how I ordered my week. I went to church and filled my heart, mind, and soul with worship, fellowship, seeing needs, praying, reaching out to others. A whole year without that emptied me. I still read my Bible. I watched church virtually. I prayed. I had people in my home. I wasn’t totally alone, but something was missing.

Hebrews 10: 24- 25 says “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Scripture encourages us to meet together. It is the time we can spur one another on towards love and good deeds. It is where we encourage one another. When I went into church, someone said my name. Another person asked if they could give me a hug. Someone welcomed me and was glad to see me. A small child smiled and wiggled her fingers in a hello. My pew was full even though my husband and I came alone. It was full of young people I love. My pew was full, but my heart overflowed. It was like coming home after a long time away. I felt a part of something bigger than what I had at home. I belonged somewhere.

We need each other. We need each other especially when we are going through uncertain times. The body of Christ is called to reach out to others, to be there for each other. Sometimes we need to take risks. Often we need to go against the culture. We need to be steadfast and stand firm. We need to know who we are and whose we are. We do not need to live in fear. We need to be welcoming to all. We need to let people come as they are. We need to love those who don’t follow all the rules. Jesus did.

Review of Facing the Dawn

Facing the Dawn

Facing the Dawn will open your eyes and heart to what people experience during great loss. It allows you to feel deep grief that cannot usually be understood. You participate with the characters in their suffering. But you also get to experience true friendship and healing and hope. There is redemption in the love shown and the turning to faith. 

Mara has many struggles throughout the book, just as we all do. As she faces each of them, somewhere you will relate. You will feel her pain. You will also feel the victory in overcoming the worst life can throw at you. 

Immerse yourself in this book and learn about life and grief and hope. Find out what treasures life has even in its difficulties. 

Review of The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel

The Joy of Falling takes you on a journey with two women who have both lost their husbands in the same accident. The two sisters-in-law share the loss, but their grief and lives are very different. They, along with their husbands’ friend, decide to do an ultra-marathon that their husbands had signed up for in New Zealand. Neither are prepared for the challenges that this trip and marathon will present them with. Not only do the physical challenges of a multi-day 155-mile race hit them, but they must face fears, lost dreams, an unknown future, anger, and grief. Both ladies have hurts and memories, and must reconcile their past and present before they can face whatever the future brings. Their stories stir emotions and give a face to the pain that is lived out in the midst of loss. The New Zealand setting is vivid and realistic. (You may wish to travel there!) The story will touch your heart, and even as you feel their pain, you sense the hope found in faith and move forward with the characters in to a new and fuller life.

Review of The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

I had a hard time starting this because it tackles some hard issues. But as I read, I got immersed in the stories and in the characters’ lives. The details in this story deepen the story and make it real. This book is exquisite in taking 2 timelines and making them both go full circle to totally relate to each other. I had never heard about the lost friends published in a newspaper so past slaves could find family and others. This is a slice of history that is sad, but also showed people of incredible fortitude and strength who never gave up. It also shows people who truly care about others, both in the past and in more recent times. I can’t stop thinking about the story and all the characters in it. They have become real to me. It is a must read.

Review of A Mother's Secret by Gabrielle Meyer

A Mother’s Secret by Gabrielle Meyer

A Mother’s Secret has all the right elements for a good story. It has a beautiful setting (in my hometown!), a dilemma to solve, a jilted romance that begs for rekindling, and the sweetest children. I love that Gabe includes children in her stories! I also love how she uses the places she loves in her stories. I can envision all the scenes and can put myself into it. Her main character, Joy, is a mom and foster mom who has the privilege of living in a historical mansion to raise her family until her benefactor dies. Will she have to move? Her former boyfriend is charged with making sure the house is sold. How will they reconcile their past relationship when in a situation that sets them at odds? How do the children figure into all of it? It is a sweet story that makes you realize the value of relationships and home. It is an enjoyable read that gives you all the good feelings!

Review of The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze

The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze
Abby had waited long enough to find the man who was responsible for her father’s death, and by default, her mother’s as well. She would help to find him no matter what. If taking a job as a school teacher in Nebraska was how she could help catch him, she would do it. She enjoyed teaching, and even if it was different than she expected, she could handle it. She was unprepared though for her contact to be a past beau, one that had hurt her mightily. Life in the small town was a challenge. Relationships were strained at times. There were different expectations and rules than what she was used to. Yet the people were what made up the town and the children are what touched her heart. The story involves mystery, counterfeit money, intrigue and romance in a historical setting. Of course, weather plays a part in the story as evidenced by the title. The blizzard is based on a real life historical event. It is an enjoyable read with lots of historical tidbits in there to enjoy. I love the Mayflower Bride series and this is another story on the series that does not disappoint!

Review of Before and After

Before and After by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After does not read like Lisa Wingate’s novels, but it takes her book Before We Were Yours into the realm of reality. It is the true stories of orphans who survived the scandal that came out of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. The novel captivated its readers and made you wonder if it could be true. This book shows you it could be. It chronicles the stories of many who came through the process and how it affected them and even the next generation. Some of the stories are heart rending and others are stories of triumph and overcoming. Many who shared their stories never thought they would have a voice to tell what it was like. Many told their stories at the urging of their children.  The stories show reunions, some heartbreak, and unexpected connections that help them to heal. It is a story that should not have to have been written, or shared, but because it happened, the sharing inspires hope and restoration. If you read Before We Were Yours, this is a must read to complete the story and to answer more questions.

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson Review

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

After reading this book, I wanted to start planning a trip to Savannah. The history and the descriptions captivated me. I also loved her characters in this story. Anne moves to Savannah looking to re-start her life after some bad decisions that continued to haunt her in her old home.  She finds her new identity as a tour guide telling pirate stories especially, and dresses like one, too. Yet even in a new place in a new costume, can she outrun her past and how it has defined her? Through a beach find, some historical research, and a cute guy, she finds more than she was looking for.

Sometimes we can get stuck living in the shame of the past, and it immobilizes us. We cannot enjoy the present nor look to the future. Both Anne and Carter must discover what can take them past where they are stuck. Grace becomes a real and attainable gift and changes both their futures. If you like pirates, romance, history, some mystery, and a hope-filled story, this is for you. It has so much to offer; you won’t want to miss it.

The Brides of Big Valley Review

Review of The Brides of Big Valley

The Brides of Big Valley is a set of 3 novellas written by Wanda Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter. Each story relates to each other, but has unique characteristics in that each is set in a different distinct Amish community within Big Valley. Each story ends with a bonus recipe, too. They are all romances, each with a different twist. If you like Amish fiction, this won’t disappoint you. You will learn about different groups of Amish and you will see how those differences impact the people. The stories are stories of faith, family, and love. They are truly enjoyable.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Review of The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

The Pony Express has always fascinated me, and this book has that, as well as a young woman running the station! It would have been an unusual situation, but it worked. She has taken over after her dad dies. He leaves behind a mystery as to her identity that she must figure out. The story also includes intrigue and romance. Faith is woven throughout the story, and we see God’s redemption as it changes the characters. I enjoyed this story in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. I definitely recommend it, especially to lovers of historical fiction, but to anyone who likes a good story.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Review of The God Dare by Kate Battistelli

Review of The God Dare by Kate Battistelli

This book is very readable, but took me longer to read it than usual. I needed to savor it, ponder it, and feel it deeply. It challenged me to think about what God wants from me. Battistelli uses personal stories and Biblical stories to make her points. She encourages you to think through the Scriptures and restates her bullet points, as well as giving discussion questions. This would be an excellent study to do with a group. I enjoyed it for my personal study and would recommend it for either way. If you want to dig deeper and see how God wants to use you, get this book!

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Review of The Noble Guardian

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

The Noble Guardian continues the saga in Regency England. You may recognize some of her characters from her other Bow Street Runners books, yet it can stand alone as you get into the story. This story is filled with action, adventure, and intrigue. Add to that some romance, compassion for a sweet little girl, and plenty of drama. The story will captivate you and keep you reading. It’s a tale of a journey with surprises, scares, and an ending that is different from what was intended for all of them. I learned more about this time period because of the details, but it was the story and characters that kept you coming back for more!

Review of The King's Mercy

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton is historical fiction with a depth of layers that proclaim so much truth. It takes place in the 18^th century in the South beginning on a slave plantation. It touches on indentured servitude, slavery conditions, itinerant preachers, and Indian relations. The story will captivate you and stretch you with lots of emotions. This is a story that will simmer in your heart and mind for a while and make you think. It is rich in detail and makes you feel like you are living through it with the characters. It will open your eyes to another slice of history you may not know. You will be the richer for reading this and letting it touch you with the mercy found in it.

Review of Cards of Kindness for Courageous Girls

Review of Cards of Kindness for Courageous Girls

This book calls itself shareable devotions and inspiration, and it is! Each devotional can be detached and passed on to another girl. I think this book would be great for those mentoring girls or for camp counselors that want to give something to the girls to think about.  Each page has an inspirational quote, a Bible verse, and the devotional. The devotions are topical and apply to contemporary issues the girls may be facing. Some of them are: When you are tempted to get even, when your busy life needs a pause, when you need strength, and many more. They will speak truth to a girl’s life. They are short, simple, and thought provoking. I recommend this for anyone who has young girls in their life that they want to impact with God’s Truth.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Review of The Inn at Hidden Run by Olivia Newport

This book is book one of the Tree of Life series Olivia Newport is a new author to me, but I will look for her books again. The story is about a young woman who wishes for a different career pathway than her family wants for her. She runs away to a place where she feels safe to make a different decision than what they want. In the midst of her anxiety, she finds strangers in the town willing to be there for her. One of them is a genealogist who researches her family to see their bigger story. Two stories are told within the book as the result, and you learn about Memphis in 1878 and the epidemic they faced then. I did not know about this significant historical event, nor how it would impact history as well as the characters in the story. Newport skillfully weaves historical fact throughout her story and introduces you to modern day conflict and historical conflict. I was intrigued by how the two stories meshed and how the historical story impacted the contemporary story. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Shadow Among Sheaves Review

Review of Shadow among the Sheaves by Naomi Stephens

I really enjoyed this book by a new author! It takes place in the 1860’s in England and retells the story of Ruth in a unique way. A widow and her Indian daughter-in-law leave India after both their husbands die. They are almost completely destitute and are not sure how they will survive. Eventually Lord Barric enters the scene, but not always in a helpful manner. The prejudices displayed and the desperateness of the widows’ situation will stir your emotions. The story has strong characters, a vivid setting, and is compelling enough to keep you reading until you are finished. This is a great story for history lovers, but with the parallels to the story of Ruth, it will make you want to reread that as well.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

Review of The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo

The Alamo Bride continues the saga of The Daughters of the Mayflower series. It definitely gives more of the background and history of the Alamo battle than I was aware of. The heroine is a young woman with incredible spirit, and also a love for her beloved homeland. She is feisty and can do many things. The hero is a good counterpart to her, and they have interesting interaction. Suspense, mystery, and romance are all woven into this historical adventure. It is an enjoyable read that will teach you some Texas history, too. This series is a great way to spark your interest into American history.

Review of The Forgiving Jar

The Forgiving Jar by Wanda Brunstetter was the second book in The Prayer Jars Series.  It continues the stories of two young women who end up in Amish country with an older couple who are the grandparents of one of the girls. Both girls have a past that has wounded them and both need to learn the art of forgiveness. Both of them find romance, but will their pasts get in the way? Can they learn to be friends and see each other in a positive way? Can they forgive and move forward in their lives? As the story unfolds, you get to know more about the Amish community and their way of life. You also get to see how the relationships develop and how family responds in different situations. The grandparents’ love and acceptance are seen throughout. This story will touch your heart and show you beautiful truths about love and forgiveness. I enjoyed this book and will recommend it to others.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”

Miles from Where We Started Review

Miles from Where We Started by Cynthia Ruchti is a book I loved! I love road trips and camping! I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new sights. This book takes you on a road trip, but you travel through a whole range of situations involving a troubled marriage and a foster child with a big personality.  A trip like this one comes with many adjustments and so does marriage. Add in a child who has his own difficulties and you have extra challenges, but also humor, real life, and another perspective. So much of life is revealed as they travel down the road, through their own memories, and even into the future. They see more than they planned on and learn lessons they didn’t know they needed. There is so much wisdom woven into their journey as they meet others who share with them. They learn they need people, each other, just as the slogan for their camper is, “Just add humans.” I loved this story, the people, the hope, and the restoration within it. I will share it and I will read it again.