5 Books For Women Who Want to Grow in Their Faith

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When I was a little girl, I remember my mom doing a lot of reading. She would spend time reading with me, but she would also take the time to read her Bible, and read Christian books that helped her grow in her faith. Her bookshelves were full of inspirational, Christian living, and devotional works that aided her in her daily walk with the Lord.

For a time, I followed suit. I read a lot of good books that were extremely helpful in my faith. But after a while, I stopped reading. I got out of the habit and left it by the wayside. That's something I have talked about here at TPT numerous times. But despite the fact that I've had to start from scratch to form new reading habits the past couple of years, I still think that Christian books and devotionals are incredibly helpful tools for growing near to God and growing strong in the faith.

However, have you ever noticed how many different titles there are in the "spiritual development" section? And trust me- all books are NOT created equal. Some are worth the read, some are worth passing up, and some are just a bunch of junk.

Soooo, to help you navigate through all those choices, and in order to offer a few books that may even make a good gift for a loved one, I decided to take today to make a few suggestions. So if you like good books and you cannot lie, then keep reading! 😉

A Place Prepared

This autobiography was written by my dear friend, Julie Moore, of The Hallway Initiative. I wrote a post about Julie's book a while back, but I definitely wanted to include it in this list too! Julie did a fantastic job illustrating how even in the toughest moments in our lives, God is preparing us for our purpose. If you have been struggling with this concept (or even if you haven't), A Place Prepared is a great read!

One Year Walk With God

I believe I was in middle school when my mom asked for this devotional book for a gift for her birthday. I gave it to her and she read it and reread it for years. I didn't go all the way through the book myself, but I often borrowed it from her and did my own quiet time in the same book. It's short, yet truth-filled- just the way I like a devotional!

40 Days of Faith and Fitness

My sweet friend, Marsha, of Faith and Fitness with Marsha Apsley, launched this devotion book in September and she rocked it! This devotional focuses on drawing near to God and having the right mindset and thoughts when it comes to diet, exercise, and overall health. Each day's reading is short, which is perfect for times when you are on the go but still want to do a devotion! Check it out!

The Bible

Honestly, I think sometimes we get so caught up in reading good books, we forget that the Bible is the ultimate book. It's the way we draw near to God, the way we see truth more clearly, and the ultimate way we grow in our faith. So, it seemed silly not to include the word of God in this list. Of course, I'm the one who came up with this post, so I'm not downplaying the role of awesome books in helping us grow in our faiths, but let us never forget that the Bible is and always will be numero uno.

Note: The Bible I shared above is the same one I have. I love it!

Honestly friends, these are all books that can help you grow in your faith. So whether you are shopping for yourself, for a Christmas present, a birthday present, or a "just because" gift, these are great choices. We all need a little bit (or a lot) of daily encouragement in our walk with God, and I am hopeful and confident that these book suggestions will do just that. Happy reading!

Which one of these books interests you most? Tell me in the comment section below!

Gratitude: Lessons From Joanna Gaines

Hey there, friends! Ya' know how I'm borderline obsessed with Chip and Joanna Gaines? And ya' know how in the past I've talked about what Joanna Gaines taught me about simplicity? Well, then it probably won't shock you that once again, I've found another gem from The Magnolia Journal (TMJ, from here on out) to talk about.

Per usual, TMJ was packed with yummy recipe's, fun recommended items, and sweet articles about homes, families, and local businesses. But I think my favorite part of TMJ is the A Note From Jo section. This is where she shares wisdom about something she has been learning lately.  

For the Fall issue of TMJ, Joanna chose to talk about gratitude.

Joanna approaches this subject in an extremely practical and applicable way. Her main premise?

Such a simple concept, huh? But good grief, we miss this constantly.

If I have to do the dishes when I am tired, I grumble.

When I have to wake up early for work, I complain.

When I have to fold clothes, I avoid it.

When I have to go to a social engagement that I don't want to attend, I try to get out of it.

When my car needs repairs, I get stressed because it costs money.

When my spouse doesn't agree with me, I get angry.

Surely most of us know that these aren't the right responses. But figuring out how to have a good and godly response is a lot harder to do than simply identifying the wrong way of doing things. But tackling this issue is what Joanna Gaines does in TMJ, and it's what I want to discuss with you today.

What Joanna Learned About Gratitude

Joanna talks about how she used to dread meal planning and grocery shopping. She used to feel that gardening was a burden. She felt like a cab driver when she had to drive her kids everywhere. And she felt overwhelmed by the constant mountain of laundry that seemed to always be waiting for her.

But then something changed. Joanna decided to choose gratitude for the everyday things in life, and her attitude was transformed. When she realized that cooking for her family was a privilege, and that she was able to serve them and help nourish them through this act, she stopped dreading it.

When she accepted that the garden work was not going away anytime soon, she decided to use that time outdoors to breath and think. It become her own little therapy session.

The same was true of driving. Joanna realized that her time in the car with her kids was the best time to catch up with them and hear how they were doing. They had time to talk without the distraction of TV, homework, etc. At that realization, it was no longer a chore, but a joy.

And as for laundry? Despite the fact that Joanna says this one will always be tough for her, she has found gratitude by realizing the abundance they have. They have been blessed with even more than they need, and taking care of this chore is a reminder of that.

"I bet you have your own internal list of little daily grievances... Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to let gratitude run free in every area of our lives. Once that happens, nothing ever looks the same again: Everything starts looking like a thank-you." 

                                                    - Joanna Gaines

What Joanna Taught Me About Gratitude

So what does that mean for me- for us?

It means that we should be thankful when the alarm goes off in the early morning, because it means we are blessed with a job and an income.

It means that we should be grateful for the social engagements, since it's another opportunity to make friends, form community, and be a witness for Christ.

It means that I should cultivate gratitude for the dishes that need to be washed- because dirty dishes mean that I've had food to eat and plates to eat it on.

It means that I should try not to get angry about car repairs- I should be grateful that I have a car to drive in the first place.

It means that when Taylor and I disagree, I should be thankful that he and I are often able to grow, challenge, and sharpen each other.

Responsibilities & Blessings

The fact that we have things that require our attention, means that we have things that are worth taking care of. Having responsibilities means that we are in charge of things that are worthwhile. And coming to this realization is a practical way to cultivate gratitude year-round. And while I technically knew that, Joanna just has such a great way of wording things. She is very skilled in taking simple concepts and bringing them to life.

So once again, a big thank you to "Jo Jo". She rocks, and she has so many wise things to say. I hope this struck as much of a cord with you as it did with me.