Monday, October 21, 2013

Book Review: Woman Living Well

Women Living Well
By Courtney Joseph
Thomas Nelson, 2013
English, 242 pages

Description:
Women desire to live well. However, living well in this modern world is a challenge. The pace of life, along with the new front porch of social media, has changed the landscape of our lives. Women have been told for far too long that being on the go and accumulating more things will make their lives full. As a result, we grasp for the wrong things in life and come up empty.

God created us to walk with him; to know him and to be loved by him. He is our living well and when we drink from the water he continually provides, it will change us. Our marriages, our parenting, and our homemaking will be transformed. 

Mommy-blogger Courtney Joseph is a cheerful realist. She tackles the challenge of holding onto vintage values in a modern world, starting with the keys to protecting our walk with God. No subject is off-limits as she moves on to marriage, parenting, and household management.

Rooted in the Bible, her practical approach includes tons of tips that are perfect for busy moms, including:  
  • Simple Solutions for Studying God’s Word
  • How to Handle Marriage, Parenting, and Homemaking in a Digital Age
  • 10 Steps to Completing Your Husband
  • Dealing With Disappointed Expectations in Motherhood
  • Creating Routines that Bring Rest
  • Pursuing the Discipline and Diligence of the Proverbs 31 Woman 
There is nothing more important than fostering your faith, building your marriage, training your children, and creating a haven for your family. Women Living Well is a clear and personal guide to making the most of these precious responsibilities.

Review:
As a stay at home mom, by choice, I can appreciate the point of view of Courtney Joseph in this book. She takes a very conservative, Biblical view of the woman's role in the house. She discusses 4 main areas where we are to focus our energies: Our walk with the Lord, Our Marriage, Our Kids and Our Housekeeping.

I found a lot of really good information in the book and I have noticed a change in our family dynamic as well as my marriage by implementing some of the strategies and ideas she puts forth. I really cannot say enough how relieved I am to find a book that validates and encourages me more.

Favorite Quotes:
The voice of the Lord is powerful and majestic, yet it is nearly impossible to hear over the clamor of this world.

It is in times of solitude that God refuels us and we can hear his voice.

Take time to pray over your family as you do daily chores and clean ups.

Our use of media determines its morality.

Information can keep us from wisdom.

When we follow God's plan for marriage, we will be different.

Communicate with your husband about your priorities.

Don't waste your influence. (This is regarding teaching our children about the Lord.)

Will the world change your children or will your children change the world?

My children will only be as disciplined with their emotions as I am with mine. (!)

Give yourself permission not to have your to-do list all checked off in order to rest and get alone with God.

Take a bubble bath!

Media gives us ideas, but steals the time to implement them.

I received a copy of the book from BookSneeze for the purpose of writing an honest review. No additional compensation has been received, or will be received, and I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.