I could probably count on one hand how many books I had read in the past five plus years, but this past year, I read on average one every month - all checked out from our library because it puts reading on my to-do list and holds me accountable to get it done before it has to be returned. I didn't know where to start, so I took most of my book recommendations from Shay and got a few others just from scrolling through the "Most Popular" titles in Overdrive (our local library's online library where I can "check out" and read books on my iPad). Funny, serious, happy or sad, I can honestly say I loved them all, but the ones that stuck with me most are the ones that encouraged me in one way or another.
One of the ones I finished early in the year is called give them grace, and this paragraph...oh how it still lingers...
"As we close this chapter we want to leave you with a comforting message that must never be forgotten: the disciples couldn't hinder the children from coming to him even though they tried. When God calls our children to come to him, even if we haven't gotten it all right, even if we've trained little Pharisees or have a house full of prodigals, nothing is impossible for him. He can break through all our flawed methods and redeem all our frail errors. The world tells us that our children's success depends upon our success. The world knows nothing of God's ability to use our failures as means to bless. 'What is impossible with men is possible with God.' (Luke 18:27) So even though we desire to be the ones who place our children in the lap of God's mercy and even though we stumble so badly trying to do so, Jesus is strong enough to pick each of us up and carry us all the way. Parents, too, are weak but Jesus is strong. No one, not even you, can thwart his purpose to bless those who are his (Eph. 1:11)".
give them grace Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson
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