Book Review: Seasons of a Woman's Life by Lois Evans

I have a great interest in women's ministry, and particularly the model seen in Titus 2 where older women teach younger women.  Throughout the many years I've led Bible study at my church, I have become that older woman! Every week I meet with several young women who are in the season of changing diapers and chasing toddlers.  They enjoy hearing from me simply because I am living proof that a Mom will survive that stage of life! :)  But I still appreciate the the perspective of those older than me, particularly Godly women who have walked with the Lord for years.

I decided to review this book based primarily on the title. I'll soon be entering the "empty-nester" season, and I'm trying to prepare for it.   At first I didn't even realize that the author Lois Evans is the wife of well-known pastor Tony Evans.  (I have heard of him, but don't know much about his ministry.) 

In this book, Mrs. Evans gives a lot of encouragement to women in all phases of life. As she addresses the seasons of Seed-Planting, Growth and Harvest, she frequently uses Queen Esther as an example for women today.  I liked her thoughts on contentment, facing fear, patience and obedience.  The book is also filled with personal examples and stories from the author's life - I appreciated her transparency about some of the hard things she has been through.

Another feature I admired was Mrs. Evans' attention to single women (including single moms) in many of her comments.  She realizes that she is addressing a diverse audience and keeps her comments applicable to all.  

I think that many women will find this book to be a helpful tool in their spiritual growth. It will especially appeal to those who are familiar with the ministry of Tony and Lois Evans.  

Here is the book description from the Moody Publishing:

Are you afraid that . .  you'll never reach the end of dirty diapers? You'll never be free of carpool duty? Your teenager's rebellion will never end? The empty nest is just a little too empty?

Fear not, seasons change. You blink twice and find yourself in another situation. Maybe longing for the "old days" or maybe grateful for the freshness of a new season. But like it or not, the seasons will come, each in its sequence and each in its own time.

Using lively examples from her own life and those of other women - including Esther - Lois Evans challenges you to to discover the purpose of your life and to depend on Him as He teaches the lessons of each season. In this book, you will find helpful priniciples, recognize familiar emotions, and take to heart encouraging promises from the pages of God's Word.

In this edition a new chapter on the grandparenting season has been added. And to help you dig deeper - whether alone or with friends - chapter study questions are included.

You can get the book here.

Disclosure:  I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Selling the Farmhouse

I haven't blogged for weeks because I've been a wee-bit busy. You see, we have sold the Old Red Farmhouse.

Once we decided in February to accept a church-planting call in Florida, we began to get busy with minor fix-ups, painting rooms, clearing closets and general sprucing up.  Two weeks ago today, we held an informal open house for a few friends and neighbors who had contacted us to express interest.

My head is still spinning at the speed  of things since then.  We received a great offer 3 days after the open house, which we accepted that day.  We've already had a full inspection, a radon test (we passed!) and well/septic inspection.  So it looks like everything is moving forward for us to leave by the end of June.  We hope the new family will be even happier than we have been here.

All of this confirms in a concrete way that we are being called to leave.  It will not be easy, and there is still a lot to do.  But selling the house so quickly is one more answered prayer that helps us to know we are headed in the right direction.

In my next post, I'll show some photos from inside the house, which has never looked so good!

Now I am left with a dilemma:  should I keep this blog name after we move, or do I need a new title?

Great New Book: The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley - Book Review

This is a brand new book, and it's a winner!

Dan Walsh is a gifted storyteller who writes heart-impacting fiction.  Gary Smalley is known as the "relationship expert".  These two amazing men have collaborated on the new "Restoration" series, and The Dance is the first installment. Once I started reading I could hardly put it down.

Jim and Marilyn Anderson appear to have a picture-perfect marriage, but in reality it's a hollow, empty relationship.  Jim thinks that because he's given Marilyn all the material things a woman could want, she should be satisfied. But Marilyn has tried for years to tell Jim that what she really wants wants is his heart... which is more than Jim is willing to give.  So Jim is shocked and angry when Marilyn walks out on him.

Most of the story is spent switching back and forth between Jim and Marilyn's perspectives as they live their now-separate lives: Jim at first fuming over Marilyn's "ridiculous" absence, then (with some help) eventually realizing that he just may be the problem.  As Marilyn learns to stand on her own two feet, she finds a job and even fulfills a long-ignored dream - taking dancing lessons. Her taste of freedom only strengthens her resolve that she will no longer settle for the shallow coexistance that her marriage had become. As so often happens, their kids are caught in the middle.

I won't say any more about the plot, because you can probably figure out how it will end.  The beauty of the book is not in the suspense, but rather in the dawning recognition by Jim that he has taken his wife (and family) for granted for years.  He represents the clueless, stereotypical, career-driven man who uses his family and even his church as tools to achieve his goals.

I thought that the dialogue, thoughts and actions of the characters were realistic, and probably represent a composite of many true-life situations that Gary Smalley has counseled over the years. The authors did a fantastic job of bringing many different perspectives to the story. I was pulling for this family, and wanted them to find a way to resolve the differences and hurt that had torn them apart.

Since this is categorized as "Inspirational Fiction", some readers might be irritated that  Marilyn leaves her home for a time of separation without "Biblical grounds for divorce" (unfaithfulness), and the tone of the book is sympathetic to her.  Just to be clear, Marilyn does not file for divorce. She leaves in order to give her husband a wake-up call. She wants her marriage to be restored, but she wants it to be different. I wrangled with this a little myself, and if I put myself in her place, I doubt I would handle it the same way. But this is a fictional story after all. The authors walk a fine line here, but do a good job of showing what can really happen when a "Christian couple" doesn't follow Biblical principles in their life.

I believe this book may help some people recognize that their marriage is in real danger and needs attention now.  For others it may provide a nudge to work a little harder at tending the most important relationships in life. In any case, it's simply a great read.

I highly recommend it!

Here is the publisher's synopsis:

Love’s recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs-a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she’s too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons-something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn’t anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him-starting with himself.

Get it now from Baker Publishing Group!