Calling All Moms, Grandmoms, Aunts, and Neighbors…
Friends! Now that Mother’s Day has passed, we all know we’re not Moms or Grandmoms or Aunts or Neighbors who have children in our lives for just one day, no, indeed we’re blessed with these roles every day. The impact of our influence may very well not be measured until we arrive at the pearly gates.
There’s a fabulous book out for you and your friends you do NOT want to miss for many reasons…
First, here’s the book: Rooms of a Mother’s Heart: A Sacred Call and an Eternal Purpose by Carol McLeod.
Let me tell you a little about Carol before we begin. She has written quite a library of books! I believe she’s finishing up #15. Back in August of last year I reviewed one of hers I especially enjoyed: Significant: Becoming a Woman of Unique Purpose, True Identity, and Irrepressible Hope.
She and her husband, Craig,have been married for 44 years. They have 5 children in Heaven and 5 here on earth—imagine how Carol has ministered to Moms who’ve undergone miscarriages and/or who are going thru’ infertiity.
Craig and Carol, a/k/a “Marmee” and “Pa,” are also blessed with 9 grandchildren who she calls their “9 Wonders of the World.” Love that! (Carol also has a podcast called “Jolt of Joy,” plus she posts pearls of wisdom on her Facebook page you don’t want to miss. See her website below her photo for more information..)
So earlier I said Rooms of a Mother’s Heart should be read for many reasons:
- There are fifteen chapters on every room in your house and then some. Each one takes a unique look at how you parent, how you pray, how you must take care of yourself, etc. Quotes by famous authors are included as well as pertinent Scripture for that particular room of the house. I’m telling ya, you’ll never look at your home in the same way again!
My personal favorite chapter, you’ll be SHOCKED to know, is The Library. It opens with John 1:1 -
Carol reminds us that, “..if the Bible describes God as ‘the Word,’ then it stands to reason that words are important in His kingdom. If you desire to give your children a head start in their education and a solid foundation for future academia, then you, as the mother, must have an awe-inspiring library in your heart….”
She adds, “Words have
Power to change,
To enlarge,
And to teach.”
I felt so comforted while reading this book. It’s as if Carol walks alongside us guiding us, offering new ideas you’ll want to share with friends, Scripture to savor, and experiences to make memories. The book will also give your faith a boost giving us prayers to pray for our children and for ourselves.
Check out these quotes:
“Show me a family of readers and I will show you the people who will move the world.”
“A room with books is like a body with a soul.”
“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”
Also in the Library chapter, there’s a NOTEWORTHY IDEA TO TRY WITH YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS:
Every now and then, Carol would announce to her kids, “Let’s have a book party!” Her children knew what that meant. They immediately dashed to their rooms, gathering five favorite books to drop in a laundry basket in the middle of the family room floor.
They would gather round and Carol, after making super fun plates of snacks for them, would begin to read each of their selections, one by one, until they were all done. Sometimes halfway thru’, they’d stop and take a break for hot chocolate.
See what a gift Carol was offering her children? I just love this idea. I plan on trying it with our grand angels next visit. And these helpful tips are only from one chapter!!!
Warning: When you reach the last chapter, The Front Porch, go grab a BOX of Kleenex as you won’t be able to stop the tears. Mercy, I’m still not over it!
In addition to the 14 other chapters, at the end, there are 2 appendices: Appendix A which offers loads of books: Books for Every Age and Stage. This you can refer to again and again, in tiny print, it spans 11 pages for every genre, etc. Invaluable!
Appendix B is a pleasant surprise: Recipes from the McLeod Kitchen. Who doesn’t love new recipes to try?
Ah, my friend, ‘tis time to close: “Run! Don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and grab this book for you and one of your friends! You’ll be so blessed.”
‘Til next time!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are “affiliate links.”