Walking With Purpose

Seven Priorities That Make Life Work

By Lisa Brenninkmeyer

I received this book from the Priest at my son’s school. It was being read as part of a parish wide book study. I wasn’t able to join but decided to read the book anyway. It is written by a Catholic woman, but don’t let that scare you away if you aren’t Catholic.  It is really a book for any denomination.

This is a great book for women, especially those striving for a life of balance. I don’t actually know many women that have mastered this tricky balancing act!

In the beginning of the book, we are reminded a very basic truth. “There simply isn’t enough time in the day to do everything that your loved ones tell you is important and the things that our culture values, and still do the things that God is calling you to do.”  Yup. Amen to that.

Some of my favorite parts 

“The opposite of pride is faith. Pride sees everything through our own point of view. Faith sees it all through God’s perspective. Pride places us at the center. Faith makes God at the center of our lives, and makes pleasing him and doing what he desires our greatest goal.”

I turn 40 this year, and it has taken me all these years to learn I should be living for an audience of ONE. And even though I feel like I have a good grasp on this, old habits die hard and some days I care way too much what others think.

“When we seek security and worth in other people’s opinions of us, we are deficient of love. We’re not experiencing the depth of unconditional love that God wants us to experience. We are hoping that the approval and affirmation of people around us will fill us up, but it never will. Only as we understand the depths of God’s unconditional love will we be able to let go of the need to please people at all costs-only then can we be free of the tyranny of the opinion of others.”

She talks a lot about the use of our time. God gives us enough time to accomplish what we are supposed to. If we are frazzled, hurried, or overwhelmed, maybe we are doing things that He is not asking us to do?

She goes on to say “When we open our hearts to God, He promises to ‘teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.’ Psalm 90:12

“A wise heart will help us to identify priorities. Once they are identified, we’ll have a better idea of what should be done first, most often, or not at all. They will help us recognize the activities that we need to say no to.”

Prioritizing is so important. In one section she talks about how her massive laundry pile almost prevented her from having a heart to heart during a time of need for her daughter. Been there. Done that. Things get in the way of people. However, those people need clean clothes to wear! The struggle is real.

The overall theme: Put God first and everything else will fall into place. It may not be easy to do, but it is worth it.

Orange Jumpsuit

By Tara-leigh Cobble

As part of my daily Bible reading, I listen to The Bible Recap podcast, led by the author of this book.

This was a quick read, about 3 days. It was during my break from Facebook so that helped!

She is clearly a girl who loves God. It was an inspiring book and I thought it was very easy to read. 

We all put on that unnecessary jumpsuit from time to time. Maybe it is a jumpsuit of worry or fear, comparison, or perfection.  I have worn those ALL from time to time!

The Unwinding of the Miracle

By Julie Yip-Williams

I saw this book on Amazon’s best of 2019. I reluctantly picked it up from the library. 

Julie Yip-Williams tells her story of being born blind, avoiding the death wish of her grandmother, coming to America and getting some sight restored, getting married, having kids, and being diagnosed with cancer. The beginning of her life is quite the story and a miracle itself!

She traveled, typically solo, to all 7 continents by the time she was 30. Oh, and don’t forget she was visually impaired! Amazing. I get stressed when I have to travel to Toledo alone.

Her raw honesty is hard to read, probably because her words explain how I would feel if I was in her shoes.

A few times I almost stopped reading it, because it was painfully sad! Cancer’s devastation within a family is  beyond terrible.

But I think one of the saddest parts for me is in her entire journey, she never came to know God.  She was born in a different country and not raised in a Christian home. Throughout the book she mentions God, but refers to God as “not the one depicted in any religious teachings but rather to a being that may very well be a force comprised of all the life that has been and is and will be, a force that is incomprehensible to the mind but perhaps perceptible to the soul.” At the request of her young daughter, they did attend church. But she never found the God that I know.

Perhaps finding Him would have eased the pain of her journey?

She passed away in March 2018.

If you read this, have tissues on hand. You have been warned.

Rhythms of Renewal

By Rebekah Lyons

This book was part of an online study I did with my friend Erin.

The main ideas of this book are 4 rhythms in which we live:

Rest
Restore
Connect
Create

I agree with this concept, but still struggle with putting all 4 of these into place in my life!

It did give me some inspiration to make some time for Rest (I am actually getting better at this one every day)

The idea of connecting with others and creating are harder for me to put into practice. Time. Not enough of it. Blah, blah, blah. It is the same story – not enough time. So I am working these things as I can – but stressing about the lack of time to do them is counter productive, so I won’t allow myself to do that.

She is a good writer and has had some anxiety and claustrophobia struggles that I could TOTALLY relate to! 

Praying Women

By Sheila Walsh

I listened to this audio book, which broke my own cardinal rule of reading real books, but it was free on Hoopla. I love her accent so that made it more fun to listen to!

Sometimes my mind wanders during audio books and I can’t underline or reference parts to listen to, because I am usually driving while listening.

Despite that, I do have some good takeaways from this book. 

She tells a story about her pregnancy with her son. I won’t give you any spoilers, but WOW!!!! Totally made me cry. 

I also enjoyed the concept of praying the Psalms and that is something I am attempting to put into practice. 

The story of Angus and his wife was another one of my favorite parts. 

Worth the read! Whether you are new to prayer or a seasoned prayer warrior, I think it had helpful info for all! 

Wrapping up Part 1

I am excited that is it only February and I have tackled 5 books already, and that doesn’t count another one I am almost done reading! My music loving friends might enjoy that one – stay tuned for Part 2. 

During Lent this year, I will be taking a social media break and trying to put my phone down a little more, so I expect a decent sized list for Part 2 as well. 

Send me your suggestions!