Desperate - Hope for the Mum who needs to breathe

Hi everyone, this is my latest book I got to review, its actually really appropriate as I'm about to become a parent and so was excited to be able to review this book.

This book is about the relationship between two women Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson, the description reads  "I just can't be a mother today"and the fact that these words have been whispered to God in quiet desperation by mothers who love their children to the depths of their soul, but who are struggling with how hard motherhood is. Motherhood turns you inside out and that sometimes you feel overwhelmed by how tired you feel; the days go on and on and you want to be a great mum but you can end up feeling like a failure so much of the time. What happened to all your ideals? When did you end up feeling so....lost?

Sally Mae and Sally Clarkson have been to the edge and back. Desperate is the story of one young mothers trails and one experienced mentor's priceless exhortations. Desperate is not a book about despair, nor is it a rule-laden mothering manual. It's a bouquet from a friend who has been there, reminding us that we are not alone. Sarah Mae's unvarnished account of her own struggles mothering three feisty young children is a lesson in learning patience, loving idiosyncrasies, accepting help, and-most of all-leaning on God.

Each chapter includes a brief bible study with journal exercises to help you find your own quiet centre, and get you back into the fray soul-filled and refreshed. Written with candour, empathy and faith. Desperate is like coffee with a trusted girlfriend; one who knows how hard being a mother can be, and how to navigate the often turbulent road.

My thoughts...... 

I really liked this book I found it incredibly easy to read and was hooked as soon as I started reading it, as I said I am about to become a parent and haven't got children in the house so for me it was like a glimpse into the life of a mum and their thoughts and feelings and struggles! It covers all the things that mums might be struggling with and gives you advice and support and encouragement. The book really spoke to me about the importance of mentors, of people in our life that have 'been there, done that' if you like and have this wealth of wisdom to share, who understand the struggles or problems we are facing as they have walked that path and that even though we might not do things exactly like them being around them can help us find our own rhythm and our own way of doing things before God. It also showed me that God is the ultimate mentor he knows whats best for you and your family, your home and your life and that we should be running to him to be refreshed and filled up. I loved one of the quotes used in one of the chapters:

"Lord I crawled across the barrenness to you with my empty cup uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known you better I'd have come running with a bucket" Nancy Spiegelberg.

I think thats the essence of this book is that its refreshing for a mum to read and I learnt a lot! Also at the end of each chapter theres a video link to a video from both women which is lovely. Yep a great read! Would highly recommend! 

Mark Driscoll, Who do you think you are?

Book Description

This is my latest book I have reviewed, Mark Driscoll's book, Who do you think you are? The book is answers the one question you need to ask: who am I in Christ? Being a christian can be like driving in a foreign city. You try living on the straight and narrow but instead take a wrong turn onto the wide avenue of sin and temptation. In the process, you become discouraged and condemned, limping along in your faith-or giving up altogether. But this isn't the Christian Life, you can make a U turn. 

Pastor Mark Driscoll knows that underlying our struggles in life is the issue of our identity. "The fundamental problem we have in this world" he says "is that we don't understand who we truly are-children of God made in his image- and define ourselves by any number of things other than Jesus. Only by knowing our false identity apart from Christ in comparison to our true identity in him can we finally deal with and overcome the issues in our lives"

Who are you in Christ? Among other things:

• You are a saint

• You are blessed

• You are saved

• You are afflicted

• You are heard

You aren’t what’s been done to you but what Jesus has done for you. You aren’t what you do but what Jesus has done. What you do doesn’t determine who you are. Rather, who you are in Christ determines what you do. These are fundamental truths that Pastor Mark explores in depth throughout Who Do You Think You Are? Finding Your True Identity in Christ.


Review 

This book is great its layout makes it really easy to read as each part is in short digesable chunks, you could easily dip in and out of this book if you wanted to, like after you had read it if you wanted later down the line to remind yourself of a particular section, to build yourself back up encourage yourself, then you could easily do this with this book! I got lots out of this book I was reminded of some really important truths that I needed to hear. Each section had a truth there to offer you and encourage you in, its a brilliant book for new christians especially as it would give them a base a guideline of who they now are in Christ! I'm so glad I read this book it has reminded me of who I am in Christ and also brought fresh revelation on that too, thanks Mark x