I’ve always enjoyed a good book yet several years ago I found myself rarely reading. The obvious reason was the pace of life; raising and homeschooling three children kept me busy from the time my feet hit the floor until I landed back in bed at the end of the day. Or did it?
As I began to take inventory of my life, I noticed pockets of time when I typically reached for my phone, to scroll social media or catch up on emails. These moments in my day happened with regularity as I waited on children at their activities or took a couple of minutes to decompress in the middle of the afternoon. It seemed these daily pauses were the perfect opportunity to steal a moment to read. Sure, it seemed it might take forever to get through an entire book this way, but it was worth a try.
“If we make it a priority to gain wisdom and understanding, we are more equipped to lead in our communities and spheres of influence, out of a place of knowledge rather than mere opinion. ”
2016 began an experiment that became my new normal. I started keeping a book in my purse, car, or anywhere else I might be planted for a few minutes each day, and those minutes added up to reading 14 books that year!
I’ve heard it said that “readers are leaders” and it makes sense to me. If we make it a priority to gain wisdom and understanding, we are more equipped to lead in our communities and spheres of influence, out of a place of knowledge rather than mere opinion. If spending more time in a book is a goal for you in 2018, I’d love to offer some recommendations from my return to reading.
Here’s to a year of reading and leading!
Loving My Actual Life by Alexandra Kuykendall
Alexandra chronicles the nine month journey to tackle areas in her life causing stress, in hopes that with some tweaking she would love the life she was living. This book is honest and entertaining. It caused me to examine my own space, calendar and relationships looking for small changes I could make to better my life and family. Buy now.
Looking For Lovely by Annie Downs
An incredibly personal book, Annie encourages us to look for the lovely in our everyday. She confesses lies she has believed and struggles she has overcome, sharing that by the power of God’s word we can transform each and every moment if we are only looking. Bonus: this book also has a companion Bible study and an edition written for teen girls!
The Broken Way by Ann VosKamp
Raw and vulnerable, Ann opens the book sharing strongholds and trauma she has carried since childhood. Yet even with sharing deep struggle, the theme is hope. Life has taught Ann that true living begins by breaking open our hearts and letting God’s healing power do it’s work. No matter your situation, I believe you will connect to Ann’s heart.
The Undoing of Saint Silvanus by Beth Moore
Hold onto your hats because Beth released her very first non-fiction book! This book is a smart and suspenseful page turner. In true Beth fashion, there is scripture and redemption woven into every character, bringing hope to a murder mystery. This is a great book for a summer vacation or a cold winter’s day by the fireplace.
Whatever the book, I’m hoping you’ll find some moments you can redeem for reading this year. What have been some of your favorite recent reads?
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Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!