I was a book worm growing up. I would read on the school bus every day and, if we weren't going anywhere on Saturday, I'd read under the covers until late Friday night and then wake up early and read all Saturday morning. I would pour over Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books, as well as my mom's large collection of Danny Orlis and any other Christian fiction written for teens.
As a young adult, I continued to read; Christian romance was the genre of choice. I devoured books by Janette Oke and Lori Wick. Soon, I realized I was being influenced by the "light" romance stories (albeit "Christian") that started to build a wrong mindset and expectations of marriage and life. Simply, real life was not like a Christian romance novel and it left me feeling unloved and defeated. I felt God ask me to give up reading fiction and, once I became a mom, my reading really took a back seat.
One of the first books I read after Big Sweet Pea was born was "On Becoming Babywise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep" by Gary Ezzo. My Sis recommended this book; it was timely and effective in teaching me how to sleep train my kids as well as a general manual on how to raise kids. I began to have a desire to better myself through reading non-fiction books that provided skillful and godly wisdom for my life. I've since heard it said, "Leaders are readers and readers are leaders."
I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the books that have left an indelible print on my life. As a teenager, "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti strongly impacted by understanding of the spirit world. "The Blessing" touched me deeply, explaining the importance of knowing that we are loved and accepted unconditionally. "A Place Called Blessing: Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins" by John Trent is a novel based on the concept of giving "The Blessing" that moves the reader to the core. I definitely shed tears while reading that book. "Ancient Paths" by Craig Hill establishes the important of understanding "God's ways" of thinking, speaking, behaving and relating to one another that He had designed for us to "Find where the good way is, and walk in it."
Jeremiah 6:16. Another book about identity; to know why I was born and how to live a life of meaning is "For This Cause" by Brian Houston. His wife, Bobbie Houston, also reshaped my life with "I'll Have What She's Having." She believes that "...a generation of awesome women are poised and ready to explode on the earth." Any book by Mike Murdock and, more specifically "The Power of Recognition," was very influential. These books were some of the earlier ones that I learned so much from.
Lately, my reads are "Last Days Survival Guide: A Scriptural Handbook to Prepare You for These Perilous Times" by Rick Renner, "Moving From Sword to Scepter: Rule Through Prayer as the Ekklesia of God" by Wanda Alger and "Women, God's Secret Weapon" by Ed Silvoso. These are valuable manuals for the days we are living in. It is important to build a personal library with classic books that will stand the test of time.
You may wish to add another title to your library: "Real Life Parenting Hacks: 30 Ways to Bring Hope and Help to Your Home" by Wanda Smith. You can contact me at onthefrontporch@outlook.com if you're interested in purchasing one or more. I will even sign it for you!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
