Today I want to share with you a book I absolutely love. I first heard of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God (by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey) when it was first published and I was interested. But then I read reviews here and there about how it was unbiblical, so I stayed away. In January, a friend of mine was telling me she read it, enjoyed it, and encouraged me to read it too. Soon after I picked up a copy and began reading.
I loved it and wished I had read it earlier. There was nothing that I came across that sounded unbiblical in their call for women to stand against much of today’s culture and embrace God’s call for womanhood. I found Passionate Housewives a very encouraging book in my journey as a wife and mother.
One of the things I appreciated the most was their perspective on how the gospel is not only practical to everyday life, but essential. Over and over again, the role of wife and mother–along with the challenges of each–come back to the gospel. We submit to our husbands as the Church submits to Christ and as Christ submits to the Father. We raise our children in the humility of Christ, oftentimes denying our own wishes and desires. But it all boils down to the gospel–just how much does the death and resurrection of Christ change our day-t0-day life? It should be radical.
I also loved their vision for motherhood. So often, even as mothers who desire to be godly mothers, our vision for motherhood can be so small. The mundane every day tasks of washing dishes, wiping noses, fixing meals, changing diapers, and reading the same book ten times in a row can be overwhelming and make it hard to see the big picture. But the big picture is this: we are shaping our children’s hearts for eternity. How they come to know God and interpret the world will have much to do with how they see us handle and react to daily living.
Are we living in the hope of Christ? That he is capable of saving us each day–even when everything seems too much. Are we walking in humility and repentance–asking our husband and children for forgiveness when we have sinned against them? Do we have a vision for eternity in the hearts of our children–or just the next 18 years? Are we seeking to make our home a refuge and beacon to those within and not just without? Do we desire to be a part of some special ministry, when God has entrusted us with a great ministry–raising worshipers for Him and extending His kingdom as we work alongside our husbands? Do we have a vision for womanhood that is God-centered and gospel-driven? Or worldly and me-centered?
There are so many great things about this book and I’d encourage you to find a copy and read it. I’m also excited to say that I’m giving away a copy of Passionate Housewives Desperate for God to one lucky reader.
To enter:
Leave a comment on why you’d like to read Passionate Housewives.
For extra entries:
- Subscribe to Reflections of a Princess (see box in right side bar)
- Follow me on Twitter @Jess_Reflects
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway
Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry! The giveaway deadline is Sunday, April 11th and I’ll announce the winner Monday.
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Thanks so much for this sweet review, Jessica! I am so glad you enjoyed the book. And thanks for offering a giveaway to your readers!
That book was truly a labor of love for all our fellow moms in the trenches. And you’ve blessed us in return!
It sounds like a fantastic book! I’d like to read it to sharpen my focus as a wife and a mother. I also really like the title… it grabs me and makes me want to check it out!
♥ Michelle
I too loved this book!!!
I don’t want to be entered in the giveaway…I just want to comment on how I absolutely loved this book!!!
Glad you enjoyed it too!
I would read it simply because you recommend it…and you know, we pretty much agree on all things books…
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
I follow you on twitter – but you already knew that!
I’m also subbing to your blog.
This book sounds really interesting! For a long time I have read about the woman of Proverbs 31 and have thought that I could never live up to being a wife and mother like that and so I would be bitter and have a really hard time being around women like that. However, recently I have been desiring to be like that (I think that I desired it all along but was bitter that it felt so unattainable). I feel like I can now be who I am and try to be this woman that works so hard for her family. I feel like this book would help me to keep me perspective on God and how I can serve him when serving my family!
Sara – Thanks for sharing your struggles & heart. I think, for me, the book (as well as other things) has helped me see that I don’t need to do it all (and probably shouldn’t), but my relationships with God and then my family should come first and everything else flows after that.
It is hard to see other women and want to aspire to be like them, but one thing the authors mentioned was that we don’t see what goes on behind closed doors. So, while the grass may look greener (or at least easier) on their side of the fence…it may not be. That’s one thing I have to remind myself of often.
And then life comes in seasons. There may be times when I can operate in certain roles more fully (particularly outside the home), but right now with trying to train a little one (and keep my sanity) being at home more is best. That’s something I’ve really been learning and working on the last few weeks. I try to do everything, but can’t! I’ll blame it on the perfectionist still trying to live inside me!
I have been following your blog for awhile but for some reason I have not subscribed yet. So, I am now subscribing to your blog.