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What Southern Women Know about Faith: Kitchen Table Stories and Back Porch Comfort by Ronda Rich
Come, sip a glass of sweet tea and sit for a spell with Ronda on the porch swing as she tells you stories of happiness and heartache, friends and family, and a faith that's strong enough to handle anything life throws your way. As Ronda shares, Southerners don't just talk about God, they have a 'kitchen-table faith,' that feels like a comfortable, trusted neighbor who sits down and stays for a good, long visit. It's a faith you live and breathe, day-in, day-out, whether it's praying to the good Lord as you sit on the porch swing or finding joy in a delicious pan of cornbread. As Ronda says, Southern faith 'is a faith that is plain, simple, and sturdy, that is utilitarian in practice and that fits as comfortably in the hands of Southern women as a baby, an iron skillet, a hair brush, a telephone, or a broom.' From stories of moonshine and revivals, Sunday dinners and new Easter outfits, prayers answered and griefs shared, you'll discover a faith that supports you when the trials and heartaches of life cause you to stumble, a faith that grabs you by the elbow and steadies you on the path.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 13, 2009
30 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Ronda Rich
23 books21 followersRonda Rich, an eleventh-generation Southerner, is the bestselling author of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should) and a popular national columnist. She speaks with Southern charm and humor at over a hundred events each year. She has appeared on dozens of television and radio shows. Ronda and her dachshund, Dixie Dew, make their home among the red clay hills of her native homeland.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 27, 2012
I absolutely L.O.V.E.D this book. It was so amazing. I really needed to read something inspirational and uplifting, and this was it.
As usual, I didn't agree with everything in the book. I think when it comes to religion, it's almost impossible for 2 people to truly agree on everything. But there was enough in there that I did agree/identify with that I will probably reread it a million times in my life.
I grew up in churches in NC that are just like the ones Ronda describes in this book. I've seriously sat next to half of the characters in this book at one point or another I think. What I recognized in those churches and in the strong Christians I was blessed to be surrounded by, but haven't yet been able to master, is the habit of honestly, truly making Christ the center of my world. I tend to freak out for a while, trying to handle issues myself, and then pray, instead of heading straight to Him at the first sign of trouble. So to read so many examples of people doing just that, putting Jesus first, is definitely something I can learn from.
I love the common sense sayings sprinkled throughout the book right along with Bible verses. It's just so definitive of the atmosphere I grew up in. I think that the faith part of this book is something that everyone, no matter where they're from, can relate to. But there are certain things that are just different in the South...and Ronda mentions them all. There's just a rhythm, a certain way of doing things that you can't really explain. It just is what it is. And I miss that, I need that comfort of being "home." It probably doesn't make sense to miss a geographical area, but the South is so much more than that. It's a culture all of it's own, and it's the one I belong too. There Christianity was a daily part of my life. The hardest part of moving for me is always finding a new church, a new supportive group of Christians that I can call my brothers & sisters. And I think part of that is because Christianity is treated differently there. I know there are devout, outstanding Christians all over the place but like I said, the rhythm of how to do things is different.
Ok, kind of a stupid example but here is the best way I can think of to explain it: There is a country song called Copperhead Road that has a line dance to it. But there are tons of different versions, I know of at least 3. Each version resembles the others, they're all to the same song, & serve the same purpose. But when you first move to an area, it takes some catching on to switch to whatever version is dominant there. So for me, the way of worship is just different outside of the South and it's taking me a while to catch on. Which is part of the reason I loved this book- it was my version, my rhythm...it said what I needed to hear in the accent and style I needed to hear it in.
I don't feel like I can truly describe how awesome this book is. It's just something that has to be experienced for yourself. All I can say is that I didn't read this book so much as gobble it down (picture someone who's been on Atkins for a few months giving in to a loaded baked potato), and that I will probably read it regularly throughout my life because it is one of the few Christian books I felt like was real instead of just preachy.
As usual, I didn't agree with everything in the book. I think when it comes to religion, it's almost impossible for 2 people to truly agree on everything. But there was enough in there that I did agree/identify with that I will probably reread it a million times in my life.
I grew up in churches in NC that are just like the ones Ronda describes in this book. I've seriously sat next to half of the characters in this book at one point or another I think. What I recognized in those churches and in the strong Christians I was blessed to be surrounded by, but haven't yet been able to master, is the habit of honestly, truly making Christ the center of my world. I tend to freak out for a while, trying to handle issues myself, and then pray, instead of heading straight to Him at the first sign of trouble. So to read so many examples of people doing just that, putting Jesus first, is definitely something I can learn from.
I love the common sense sayings sprinkled throughout the book right along with Bible verses. It's just so definitive of the atmosphere I grew up in. I think that the faith part of this book is something that everyone, no matter where they're from, can relate to. But there are certain things that are just different in the South...and Ronda mentions them all. There's just a rhythm, a certain way of doing things that you can't really explain. It just is what it is. And I miss that, I need that comfort of being "home." It probably doesn't make sense to miss a geographical area, but the South is so much more than that. It's a culture all of it's own, and it's the one I belong too. There Christianity was a daily part of my life. The hardest part of moving for me is always finding a new church, a new supportive group of Christians that I can call my brothers & sisters. And I think part of that is because Christianity is treated differently there. I know there are devout, outstanding Christians all over the place but like I said, the rhythm of how to do things is different.
Ok, kind of a stupid example but here is the best way I can think of to explain it: There is a country song called Copperhead Road that has a line dance to it. But there are tons of different versions, I know of at least 3. Each version resembles the others, they're all to the same song, & serve the same purpose. But when you first move to an area, it takes some catching on to switch to whatever version is dominant there. So for me, the way of worship is just different outside of the South and it's taking me a while to catch on. Which is part of the reason I loved this book- it was my version, my rhythm...it said what I needed to hear in the accent and style I needed to hear it in.
I don't feel like I can truly describe how awesome this book is. It's just something that has to be experienced for yourself. All I can say is that I didn't read this book so much as gobble it down (picture someone who's been on Atkins for a few months giving in to a loaded baked potato), and that I will probably read it regularly throughout my life because it is one of the few Christian books I felt like was real instead of just preachy.
August 23, 2009
I just loved this book. It had me laughing, crying and reminscing. Everything I know about faith happens to come from Southern women and those women have had a tremendous impact on my life. A very enjoyable and quick read. I highly recommend it, southern or not! Rich is a great storyteller and reading this book made me want to read her other works.
May 9, 2009
On the negative side, apparently in Ronda Rich's eyes there is only one way to be a Christian - - - the southern way! I guess I will never understand that southern pride thing. On the positive side, I did appreciate and will try to apply to my life what southern women are good at: continuous prayer and kindness whenever possible. Wonderful ways to build a closer relationship to God and to others.
July 9, 2009
"What Southern Women Know about Faith" lifted my spirit and had my soul singing. The stories are told in Ronda Rich's Southern perspective but have Universal themes of the ties that bind us together-family, friends, faith, hope and love. Ronda Rich has once again proven herself as a talented story teller and faith warrior. I loved this book
January 29, 2013
I laughed, I cried, I grabbed a highlighter, I wanted to buy a copy for every one of my dear Southern Gal Pals who are fellow Women of Faith - wonderfully written, you can just hear the author's sweet Southern drawl as she relates short stories lifted from both her childhood and adult years. Love it!!
January 24, 2021
I enjoyed this audiobook which is narrated by the author. It was a pleasant surprise to get to hear about Southern Gospel singer Karen Peck. I didn't know when I started this book that the author and Karen Peck are best friends. And the rest of the book was nice too.
August 4, 2011
Oh, the memories this book evoked. I will be buying this one and passing it around the family with personal annotations. Precious memories indeed.
June 6, 2012
This is a book I will refer back to again and again! It is so good and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, one of my favorites!
September 27, 2023
I could not finish this book after reading, “Decent People tend to breed Decent People, and No Accounts breed No Accounts. It’s all in the family tree, you know.” How sad to represent Christian southern women in such a way with those ugly words said about our neighbors. As Christians, we are meant to love and be the light of the world. This is a sad piece of work.
April 24, 2022
This book draws you in to her stories about growing up in church.
February 22, 2020
Loved it!
A Wonderful read, engaging and thought provoking in terms of life , history, application! Am Going to reread it now!
A Wonderful read, engaging and thought provoking in terms of life , history, application! Am Going to reread it now!
January 7, 2016
This book is whimsical, grounded, faith-based and very readable. I happened to run across it in the Christian section of the library when I needed my God and his knowledge desperately. She is Southern like myself and tells stories that I can relate to but its essence would not deter another audience. I both laughed and cried. Because I liked it so much and will need its' truths and scripture ongoing, I am going to buy it! I never buy books anymore.
January 18, 2012
A great inspirational book. I really did enjoy it. Many of the things that the author wrote about was said to me by my mama. If you are a faith filled woman...and even if your not this is a must read!!!
June 18, 2009
This was an uplifting read about faith. I am of a different faith than the author but still found it to be a thoughtful lovely book which was worth taking the time to read carefully.
February 16, 2011
Rhonda Rich shares her southern faith with humor, wit and wisdom. Inspiring example of Southern women and their faith! Great one to share!
May 13, 2011
Intertwining Southern life with religion. Nostalgic, in my opinion. Sadly, generally not true of families today.
August 15, 2011
It brought living faith into an everyday reality. Wonderful book.
April 28, 2012
If you are older than fifty and grew up in the South, you will enjoy this book.
March 23, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could relate to Ronda & loved the stories she told. I marked pages I want to go back to & will reread this often.
September 6, 2016
Very back to earth, good feeling stuff. Enjoyed it.
December 1, 2016
While this book wasn't earth shattering, it was a good quick read that affirmed what I know about myself and other Southern women in my life.
September 12, 2018
How to handle anything that life throws your way with charm and grace.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews