Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full {Review}

Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms
Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman
Visit the Author's Website HERE
Publisher: Crossway Books
Publishing Date: March 15, 2014
Goodreads Summary:
Grocery shopping. Soccer practice. Dirty dishes.

Motherhood is tough, and it often feels like the to-do list just gets longer and longer every day--making it hard to experience true joy in God, our children, and the gospel.

In this encouraging book for frazzled moms, Gloria Furman helps us reorient our vision of motherhood around what the Bible teaches. Showing how to pursue a vibrant relationship with God--even when discouragement sets in and the laundry still needs to be washed--this book will help you treasure Christ more deeply no matter how busy you are.

 I received a copy of this ebook from Crossway Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Buy the Kindle copy today for $8.36 (6/28/14)

My Thoughts:
I simply couldn't help myself: this cover is gorgeous. The title font, the gray on gray colors, the indicated subject matter itself. I may only have one child, but she sure does keep my hands full. Sometimes I feel so confused. I just don't know what it means to be a mom. But I know being one makes me more desperate for Christ than ever before.

"Treasuring Christ" feels like a breath of fresh air from the Lord. Furman helps walk us through the importance of motherhood and how to cling to Jesus in the tough times. Sometimes an author can unintentionally create a feeling of condemnation while writing on these topics. Furman doesn't just skirt this line, she completely obliterates it. There is no 'us or them' mentality, there is no 'wrong or right' way, or lists and ideas for disciplining, there is simply the Gospel. And it speaks Life and Truth and holds all the answers for this journey of parenthood.

Sometimes an author can focus too closely on their own experiences and unintentionally ostracize certain people. That won't happen here with "Treasuring Christ". Furman includes very little of her own life and when she does, she is simply providing a backdrop from which to move from. She constantly takes us back into the Word of God. It is not about what I know and have learned, or what you know and have learned, but what God is trying to teach and tell us all.

This short book is so chock full of Bible verses that a Scripture index was included in the back to help sort it all. Furman also uses tons of quotes from well known and respected Christian figures. You will be hard pressed to find any filler here!

However, I struggled to finish this book in a timely manner. The reasons are completely self induced and personal however. I just couldn't focus. Furman's words were kind and peaceful, yet I struggled to get myself to sit still and focus on her words. I couldn't even give you a good reason why. Thus, my rating for this book is going to be completely biased on my experience. I firmly believe, however, that if this is a subject matter you are looking for, "Treasuring Christ" is the book you need to read. While I have to give it a lower star rating because of my reading experience, I believe that it is still a great book and others will completely enjoy it!

I am rating the book with 4 stars for myself. All moms can benefit from this book, those who feel lost in the shuffle, confused, 'not enough', and moms who need grace and peace. I already have one mom in mind who I am considering buying this book for. Pick this one up today, and relax :))


PS Check out Furman's blog to find a free study guide for this book! 

2 comments:

  1. While I'm not a mom, I think we could all use more reminders of making all time about God, not just the occasional "free time." And it's great that this book quotes so much scripture! Thanks for the great review!

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  2. While this book does center around motherhood, what Furman shares could be easily be read and enjoyed by those who are not moms! It was that encouraging to life!

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