Stay by Anjuli Paschall

-
Stay: Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking

Discovering Grace, Freedom, and Wholeness Where You Never Imagined Looking

I'm not sure why I picked this book to review, because I wasn't sure I wanted to read another book like this, but I am so very glad I did.  It was just what I needed right now.

Let me start by saying it's a pretty book: one of those smaller-sized books with a hardcover, but no book jacket. It looks like a book you could sit down and read in just a few short hours. It doesn't look as daunting as the normal paperback, standard size inspirational books can look. It begs to be opened and read and read it I did in just a few days.

Let me also add that the title is so appropriate for this day of "Safer-At-Home" orders during CoVid-19. Staying is definitely what I have been doing these days, but the meaning behind this title is so much deeper than just a physical staying.

What does it mean to stay in your pain, in your disappointments and work through them to find healing rather than running and hiding behind your to-do lists and social engagements? In that way, this book is again appropriate for right now because our schedules are looser, there is less to hide behind and more character being revealed in this stressful, anxiety-producing time. I am finding, much to my chagrin, that I have unpleasant characteristics that I can hide a lot of the time, but now are coming out in ways I am not expecting. This book invites you to stay, to let the love of Jesus fill you and to work through the trauma, the fears, and the other things that are holding you back.

"Mistakes are not my enemy but my guide back to Jesus."  But do I let my mistakes do that or do I hide in shame and think I am worthless because I made that mistake or said that wrong thing, etc.?

"I heard it said once that you know you have an idol in your life if someone criticizes you and you quickly crumble or become defensive inside." Ouch, this quote really hit me between the eyes because I obviously must have some idols in my life that I need to deal with because these responses way too often define me.

And one final quote that I've been thinking about since I read it: "Marriage is so much more about being with someone that it is about being worshiped by them."  Again, this is just what I needed.

I really enjoyed this book, it was filled with things to think about and I want to use what I read to make me more like Jesus.

I received this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers ...
Read more

All the Pretty Things by Edie Wadsworth

-
Image
I haven't posted a book review in over two weeks, I must be lazing off!!! Actually, I had two books going at once and also read a non-review book in between. Not that I think anyone missed me or anything. But just to be clear, I am back and have about six books to review in the next few weeks. Okay, "All the Pretty Things". When I started this book, I loved it. I thought it was an amazing story and it is. Edie was born to an alcoholic father. She rarely saw him sober, but she loved him and enabled him until his dying day. She missed that father figure in her life and attempted to salve that wound by working hard at everything she put her hand to except her marriage. She was raised in rather extreme poverty. Her parents divorced and both remarried, but divorced again. She was abused as a child, though it became a repressed memory that came out through recurring nightmares. She was introduced to Jesus and would often respond to altar calls to make sure she was saved. Sh...
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo...
Read more