Breathing Room (Book Review)

I was fortunate to receive a copy of Leeana Tankersley's upcoming book Breathing Room from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. In exchange, I am offering my thoughts on the book.  

Normally, I am a relatively fast reader.
I've always enjoyed reading, and am able to read and process material pretty quickly.
When I started Leeana Tankersley's new book Breathing Room, I figured I'd get through it within a day or two.  After all, it wasn't that long a book (just over 200 pages), and written in part as a memoir, I thought the story would move at a nice, brisk pace, allowing me to be done with the book in a brief period of time.
I soon learned Leeana's story, and her magnificent insights, would not be such a quick read.

 Within the first few pages of this book, Leeana drew me in to her world, in to her life.  I could imagine her life as a new mom, married to a Navy SEAL.  I could picture her struggles and challenges as she worked to put together their life in Bahrain.  I could imagine the scents and smells of the cities she described.
I could relate to the Come Aparts.  The Brain Vultures.
I couldn't bring myself to skim through her story.  I didn't want to miss out on how she handled the Hard, when it came around.  I didn't want to miss any of her wonderfully worded insights.  Beautifully phrased thoughts, like:

We are both lost and found.  And no matter where we are on the road home, we are loved.  That's it.  

I couldn't breeze through the chapter called "Saying No to Bad Pants."  

And, I mean - an author who quotes Dr. Seuss and Henri Nouwen within five pages of each other?
Brilliant.

With each story shared, I found myself wanting to talk with Leeana.  I also found myself feeling ashamed of the times I've judged other women at first glance, without knowing their real stories.  Yet I found a new appreciation and respect for women who deal with emotional and mental health issues from which they take on and work to rise above every day.  A new tender spot in my heart developed for these women after reading this book.

I love reading books like this, where real women share their real struggles.  In her vulnerability, in sharing her ups and downs, in her honesty, in opening up with her weakest moments, Leeana helped me realize our struggles and challenges are shared.  We can relate to one another, understand one another, when we allow ourselves to open our hearts to each other, but mostly, when we invite God to "sit down on the floor with us" and come into the Hard with us.  When we give ourselves permission to just rest in Him.
To realize we can be blessed, but still struggle.
To see life can be hard, but it is beautiful.
To know it's OK to do what we need to do to take care of ourselves, to give ourselves breathing room.

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days (A review)

I received a copy of Holley Gerth's new book What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  

And honestly?  

I love it.  

Because really? 

There are days I get home from school, and the only thing I can think of is cutoff jeans, a fresh glass of water, and just simply putting my feet up.  

Ever have days like that?  Maybe not even one of *those* days, but a day when life just wears on you?

If so, you are going to relate to this book in a second.  

Have you read any of Holley's writings before? 

She has this fantastic way of writing that makes you feel like you're sitting down with a dear friend.  A sister, an aunt, or that wise friend with whom you love spending time.  

I've not yet met Holley in person, but from all I gather about her and read of her in her books, on Twitter, on Facebook, she's the real deal.  

She cares about helping women know their worth in Christ, but perhaps more importantly -- she helps women know Christ.  

Presenting ideas that we know that we know, Holley gives gentle reminders to us of how God is working in our lives, of what God has done and is doing for us, every moment of every day.  

This book contains 52 short reflections, and includes space with guided questions for personal journaling for each reading.  My first thought when I saw the number of readings, was, of course, one each week.  But it's not that easy  

I.Can't.Put.It.Down! 

And I can't stop thinking of how many hearts will be blessed by this book.  

Thank you Holley Gerth and Revell Books for the opportunity to read this book and offer my review!