Plenty: 31 Sips of Joy for Moms Everywhere

by Kari Patterson

For moms everywhere, there is plenty. Plenty to worry about. Plenty to do. Plenty of people demanding your attention and needing your love. But there is also plenty for you. There is plenty of grace to forgive every fault. There is plenty of mercy to help in time of need. There is plenty of love to cover a multitude of sins. There is plenty of courage to make you brave for the battle. There is plenty of strength to help you stand. There is plenty of power for life and godliness.

There is plenty of joy in God's presence.

This inspiring and encouraging 31-day devotional book features words of truth and stories of hope, practical advice and creative ideas for putting faith to action. Above all, each day is a reminder that every mom truly has been given plenty for whatever comes her way each day.
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Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

109 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 19, 2012

About the author

Kari Patterson reaches thousands of women worldwide through speaking events and her popular blog Sacred Mundane. She's a pastor's wife, homeschool mom, Bible teacher, mentor, and passionate seeker of truth. At Patterson's request, all royalties from the sale of this book will benefit World Vision's work with women and children in need. Visit her online at www.karipatterson.com.

Reviews

[Kassie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this through this devotional twice. Short and sweet.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this little devotional a lot. I picked it up free for Mother's Day this year and decided to read it. It is written for mom's of younger children but the topics can apply to each of us. The talk about little ones did bring me back to the earlier days of my motherhood. Ah, the memories NOW are sweet but then times seemed hard.

There are questions, a challenge for today, for each chapter. This time I decided not to journal my answers. I did think about the questions, but didn't write them down. I would suggest for mom's of younger children to take the time to really ponder the questions and write or type out their answers. Even if you have to do the reading at one time of the day and go back later and answer the questions. The chapters are not long so that is helpful for those with little ones and not much time for devotions. There are 31 days of readings, one for each day of the month. I read it faster than that because I didn't write the answers to my questions and I have more time in my day.

Some quotes from the book so you can see how awesome it is...

chapter 15 “What to Expect When You're Expecting

“Whether we know it or not, we're all expecting. Expecting something.
You consider a decision. You pray about it. Perhaps you even fast. You wait for God and sense His leading. You check it out with His Word. You act. You obey. The result?
Failure. Or frustration. Or misunderstanding. Or just total confusion as to how your following God could lead to such a mess.” (location 688)

“The defining characteristic of Western Religion?
That following God means things will go my way.” (location 699)

“… those who desire to live godly lives will suffer persecution.
That is the promise for us.
But I've never see that one on a coffee mug.” (location 705)

“So what should we expect?
Opposition, Persecution. Obstacles. Suffering. Trials. Conflict. Hardship. Storms. But most of all...
Expect to see and encounter Him in the midst of it all.
He is found in the midst of the storm, the suffering, the obstacle. When we run from those things, we run from Him. He is there.
I expect to face these things, and I expect to see His face there.
That's what I can expect.” (location 714)


chapter 22: “When Everything Comes Crashing Down Around You”

“The enemy does not want us to be brave. He wants to keep us living ever-cautious, ever-safe, never risking, never trying new things. When we do make a choice to branch out in faith, he will do whatever he can to intimidate us, scare us, fill us with fear, whatever he can do to keep us from bravely moving out in faith.” (location 1022)

“What are you attempting to do today? Where are you trusting God? Stepping out in faith? Risking? Being Brave? Can you see where the enemy would love to intimidate you? Scare you? Use fear tactics to keep you cowering? How can you choose to trust God and not be shaken today?” (location 1033)

(here are the questions/the challenge at the end of the chapter)

“Today: Take a moment right now and read Psalm 91. How does this bring you comfort, encouragement, and joy today? God is your shelter, protector, refuge. Nothing can befall you! Be brave today and re-read Psalm 91 throughout the day to remind you of this truth.” (location 1038)

So if you are a mom of young kids, or of older kids even, you might want to check out this little devotional.

[Catherine Gillespie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, the book contains 31 short chapters that each relate an incident and then make application of Scripture, ending with a challenge to apply the Scripture to your own situation. I found the chapters a perfect length to read in those very short pockets of time I might otherwise just mindlessly scroll through something online. Each chapter was insightful, honest, and encouraging. I loved the way that the author saw parallels between the way her small children act and the way she acts toward God. That is something I find true of parenting as well, and the book gave me even more impetus to look for those connections.

Most of all I am impressed with how well the author struck a balance between lovingly challenging mothers to be more thoughtful, intentional, and godly, while also maintaining a tone of encouragement rather than making the reader feel loaded down with yet more items for the To Be list.

{Read my full review here}

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this devotional seems to be geared more towards moms with young children, I (as a mother of a teen) found great use in it as well. In fact, I 'happened' to read a section the morning after something applicable happened with my son, so I was able to use the principles discussed in the reading to help my relationship with my child. I liked how the author used the small, every day things we might encounter as mothers to teach important lessons, and how she likened her experiences to what God, as our Heavenly Father feels about us as His children.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a girl who does well with most devotionals. I don't care much for the short stories in them and don't enjoy trying to draw parallels to find the life lesson.

On that note, I shockingly really loved this devotional book. The author kept it interesting, she hit on so many things I experience almost daily as a mom, she gave excellent parenting advice (as far as I am concerned), and there were faith lessons for me as well.

Would definitely recommend!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of blog posts by Patterson. It is beautifully written and the encouragement she shares is so touchingly heartfelt! I wish I could share it with the mothers of my grand-kids, but it is not available in print. Please, put this in print so I can buy copies for every young mother I know! This resource should be able to be shared more easily by those who eschew digital reading!

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good book with a few exceptions. It does not use the King James Bible. And it talks about pagan holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Other than that, it really was soothing to a mom's heart.

[Sarah Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down the most encouraging devotional I've ever read. I'll definitely be reading this again and again. It's a real jewel.

[Dessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I read each day with pleasure, with expectancy, and sometimes with conviction. I would recommend this book to every mother of younger children.