Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Glory in the Ordinary Review

Today I am here to review Glory in the Ordinary, by Courtney Reissing.



Now, if you are anything like me, you may HATE housework.

One of the reasons I abhor housework is that it is so boring and repetitive.

Day in, day out.

All you are doing is the same dang thing, without much to show for it.

No. Change. Whatsoever.

In this book, Courtney carries the main theme that your average everyday housework is ultimately fulfilling the Glory of God. She discusses how the fall made work to be not fun with the curse, whereas before it was supposed to be a thing to enjoy.

She then goes on to explain how she believes heaven is the image of what this world was supposed to be like before the fall. We are not going to be sitting around playing harps when we cross over, according to Courtney. Instead, God is going to assign an eternal task for us that we will enjoy (instead of dread) doing immensely. Our work on earth, according to the author, is made to prepare us for the work we shall be doing in heaven.

Courtney then goes on to say that housework is designed to love the people who live in your home through serving them, which I liked. Lately, I have been struggling with the idea of showing, rather than telling love, and to realize that housework is one way in which one might be able to accomplish this baffled me.

One concept I liked (coming from the perspective of me being a history graduate) was how the author ended up connecting how housewives were viewed back in the '60s vs. how they are viewed today. Back in the '60s, "housewifery" was the premier calling for a woman, with the husband being the main breadwinner of the family. Now, people almost look down their noses at women who stay at home, rebuking them for being a setback to feminism. There has also been a shift in vocabulary, from being a housewife to being a "stay-at-home". A woman is judged for how well she raises her kids, and by how many activities she has crammed into their schedule that she has to shuttle them to and from. More and more women who have even aspired to have professional, successful careers often end up being stay-at-home-moms, according to what statistics are telling us.

A final point that made me smile was how we as women often expect ourselves to be "wonder women" and get everything done. As a matter of fact, if you talk with other women, their houses are very likely not all perfectly clean ever.

One thing that kind of bothered me about this book was how she framed the very idea of rest. Courtney claimed something we all know, that rest is not a sin because God rested. Yet, she also from my perspective had an idea of rest that, if you were not "resting" by doing a fun activity or having down time with your family, then it was basically a sin. This is implied with how she addressed the theme of housework as being an act of selflessly serving the family around you. If you are not "serving" your family by relaxing with them, I feel as though she implies that you should not be "resting" at all.

In some ways, I do see her point. We are supposed to be a communal species as human beings, striving for each others company. Yet, if you are an introvert like me, being around people, including your family, can absolutely EXAUST you sometimes. You need "alone time" to recharge, otherwise you and everyone else will most likely be suffering for it. There needs to be a balance. Relax with your family, then realize when you have to be alone to recharge.

Overall, I would like to give this book four out of five stars. While I did not agree with all her points, for the most part, Courtney has helped me to, at least start, shifting my perspective of housework. Pick up this book today at lifeway.com or at any Lifeway Christian store in your area!

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Thursday, March 1, 2018

Words and Candles

Words are important in life. A writer is perhaps someone who understands this better than most, with the most important group of words being, of course, the Word of God.




As I became somewhat of a candle addict after I received a candle for Christmas, I have been searching for just the right candle type that I can fall in love with. My search ended when my friend Ivy Rose opened a candle store over here on Etsy, called Bookburn Candles. What these candles are homemade soy candles with essential oils.

Now, I was a fan of essential oils before these candles. They have the power to help pick you up, motivate you, and relax. The three candle scents currently being sold through this shop help to do all three, while making excellent gifts for writers with each being connected to classic literary ideas and themes.

First, and my absolute favorite is the Glad Game. This candle is a mix of orange, frankincense, and peppermint essential oils. The theme of this candle originates from the Glad Game in Pollyanna, where you should always look for something to be glad about even in the middle of the direct set of circumstances. When you burn this candle, it offers a mixture of aromas that serve for a better pick me up than any cup of coffee could do for you.

Just a whiff of this candle will help you take the words of Paul to the Romans to heart.

Romans 15:3
 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Good Strong Words and writing. Need I say anything more? :D

My second favorite candle is Good Strong Words which draws inspiration from Jo, the sister and aspiring writer form Little Women. It is actually the one I am currently burning as I work on getting ahead with the two blogs I write for. It has a mixture of Cinnamon, Clove, and Orange It does its job as it blends together to create a strong, spicy, and citrusy scent that motivates you to get some writing done.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Last, but most certainly not least, is Miss Lavender's garden. This is the perfect candle to burn, with its mixture of lavender, cedarwood, and jasmine scents, as you are winding down preparing for bed. It fills your room with a lovely, relaxing scent of flowers, similar to its inspiration in Anne of Green Gables.

Miss Lavender paired with a set of books I either want to read or re-read this year!


This candle will most certainly motivate you to dial it back, stopping to enjoy the small things in life, as it is described in the following passage of scripture.

Psalm 55:6
I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

So I would encourage you to head on over to the shop in the link posted above to check these candles out! They make excellent gifts for Easter, Mother's day, birthdays, or anytime in between!

Two of my favorite, as well as my friend Ivy's favorite ;), things; Home Free, paired with her Bookburn Candles!

Woman to Woman Ministries