Dive into Summer Reading (For Spiritual Encouragement)

Busy moms who serve cross-culturally are hard-pressed to make time for reading, don’t you think? Too many demands vie for our time: caring for our families, ministry, and maybe homeschool. If you’re like me, the internet sucks you in when you have a free moment.

But reading is a great way to invest in yourself spiritually. The physical act of sitting down for some “me-time” with a book is healthy. Books can also nourish our souls while we’re struggling to worship and listen to sermons in a new language. I don’t know what the spiritual environment is where you serve, but where I am in the Middle East, discouragement abounds, and opportunities for spiritual encouragement can be few and far between. Christian books open a door to spiritual refreshment and growth for me.

The slower pace of summer makes finding time to read easier, so I thought it would be fun if we shared book recommendations. Here are three books I read in the last year and three books I want to read. I hope you’ll complete this post by leaving a comment to recommend a book that might encourage the rest of us!

Three Spiritually Encouraging Books I Read Last Year:

The “Do What You Can Plan”: 21 Days to Making Any Area of Your Life Better, by Holley Gerth

If you’re working on a goal or trying to make a change in your life, this 52 page e-book will inspire you. Each of the 21 brief chapters starts with a motivational scripture and encourages you to take one baby step towards your goal.

Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions, by Lysa TerKeurst

I can’t say enough about this book. Lysa shares honest, personal stories about daily life challenges that threaten to send her off the deep end. It made me feel like I’m not alone. The book offers healthy alternatives for processing emotions. (Are you a stuffer or an exploder?) It’s full of practical wisdom on handling conflict.

Believing God by Beth Moore

Written in a relaxed, conversational style, this book makes you feel like you’re listening to Beth Moore speak. She shares personal anecdotes as well as examples from scripture. Beth challenges us to combat negative self-talk by asking God to renew our faith and by proclaiming His truth to ourselves.

What I’d like to Read Next:

Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest, by Bonnie Gray

Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You, by John Ortberg

You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming all God CreatedYou to Be, by Holley Gerth

What about you?  Can you recommend a book you’ve read lately? What else do you do for spiritual encouragement on the field?

When You Feel Far From Home

  

Here is a taste from my home that touched my heart. 

Do you feel far from home this holiday season?  For many cross-cultural servants, Christmas can be a bittersweet time. You may feel twinges of loneliness as you long for friends and family from home, wherever that is.  Many of us are not even sure anymore where home is!  You might feel special joy over celebrating together with the “family” God has given you where you are.

For me, Christmas overseas is a mixed blessing.  I miss the joyful holiday atmosphere in America. On the other hand, I am thankful for the opportunity to focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas, far away from commercialism and shopping frenzy. I’ve had many sweet, quiet Christmases in this country where almost no one else is celebrating.  I long to be with our family back home, and I wish my children could spend Christmas with them. However, I’m honored that my kids get to spend Christmas among brothers and sister who pay a high cost to follow Christ.  It is a privilege to be part of their community.

How are you holding up?

If you feel lonely, I pray that fellowship with Christ would be sweet to your soul.

If you feel weary, I pray that His strength would be made perfect in your weakness.

If you feel far away from home and loved ones, I pray that you could make yourself at home in Christ’s love.  He is always there for you, always waiting for your arrival, always ready to sit down and be with you.  May Christ make himself at home in your heart. He is sufficient for all of your needs.

If you feel joyful, I pray that Christ would make your joy abound still more.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” Ephesians 3:16, 17

This is a re-print from 2011.  I've been busy with holiday preparations and activities because Christmas is a GREAT time to share with our mslm friends.

When I thought of all you, my cross-cultural working mom friends, this came to mind.  Blessings to you all!