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I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars: Biblical Alternatives to Stressed-Out Living
"We'll never feel thin enough, pretty enough, or fashionable enough. Our cars will never be new enough and our bathtubs will always have that ring. We lie awake at night, worried we’ll die in our sleep and our mother will arrive at our house and see that scummy ring in the tub.
"This is why we eat too much chocolate and cry in the shower. This is why we need a nap and a million dollars to fall out of the sky. We've had enough. Life is just too much.
"But—this is exciting, my friend—what if there is another way?"
Jessie Clemence knows the struggle and stresses—big and small—of our hectic, over-scheduled world. She too has tried cooking for ninety-eight at Thanksgiving and saying yes to doing three hundred things on Tuesday.
But she also knows that refueling her spirit with a pound of bacon and a bag of Cheetos leaves her feeling like death. So now she goes straight to the Bible for insight on daily frustrations ranging from romance and health to arguing and procrastination. Jessie’s hope-infused honesty will remind you that God’s grace is always available.
If you're overwhelmed and looking for a new way of handling life's crazy moments, you will nod along, laugh out loud, and find a new focus on the God who can turn your "stressed" into "blessed"!
"This is why we eat too much chocolate and cry in the shower. This is why we need a nap and a million dollars to fall out of the sky. We've had enough. Life is just too much.
"But—this is exciting, my friend—what if there is another way?"
Jessie Clemence knows the struggle and stresses—big and small—of our hectic, over-scheduled world. She too has tried cooking for ninety-eight at Thanksgiving and saying yes to doing three hundred things on Tuesday.
But she also knows that refueling her spirit with a pound of bacon and a bag of Cheetos leaves her feeling like death. So now she goes straight to the Bible for insight on daily frustrations ranging from romance and health to arguing and procrastination. Jessie’s hope-infused honesty will remind you that God’s grace is always available.
If you're overwhelmed and looking for a new way of handling life's crazy moments, you will nod along, laugh out loud, and find a new focus on the God who can turn your "stressed" into "blessed"!
216 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2018
8 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Clemence
9 books11 followersChrist-follower, wife, mother, and writer. I love to encourage others with ridiculous stories and thoughts from my own life. I love to read the Bible, to seek God for who He really is. And then I write all about it.
I love desserts, reading, and redecorating my house.
I do not love our cat, skinny jeans, or dirty dishes in my sink.
I'm glad you're here!
I love desserts, reading, and redecorating my house.
I do not love our cat, skinny jeans, or dirty dishes in my sink.
I'm glad you're here!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 19, 2018
Sometimes life can just seem to be too much. We might wonder just how much one woman is supposed to bear. Clemence is very familiar with the stress one can feel from life. She suggests there is a better way to live life.
Clemence covers three stress producing areas of life. First is life in general, the broken washing machines and other disasters. Then she attacks the stress others cause – the kids, the animals, the odd extended family members. Last is the stress we cause ourselves – like perfection or over scheduling or discontentment.
I really like the insights Clemence has on what it really means to have a life well lived. The one that made a huge impression on me was about health. Once we've received the diagnosis, she writes, we continue to pray for healing with complete faith God can do so. “But as we wait, we submit and look for the kind of healing that will never show up in a lab report. Wholeness that a medical doctor will never find with a stethoscope.” (42)
I like that Clemence writes with honesty and humor. I could identify with so many of her experiences, like the male cat who just had to mark his territory in their house. I also like the wisdom and insight she shares with us. She has included great questions at the end of each chapter that are good for personal reflection and action. She also shares Scripture and a prayer.
I recommend this book to women who feel overwhelmed. (Well, men can read it too but they are asked to skip the sagging body parts section.) You'll get some laughs but you will also be presented with wisdom and insight on living life well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Clemence covers three stress producing areas of life. First is life in general, the broken washing machines and other disasters. Then she attacks the stress others cause – the kids, the animals, the odd extended family members. Last is the stress we cause ourselves – like perfection or over scheduling or discontentment.
I really like the insights Clemence has on what it really means to have a life well lived. The one that made a huge impression on me was about health. Once we've received the diagnosis, she writes, we continue to pray for healing with complete faith God can do so. “But as we wait, we submit and look for the kind of healing that will never show up in a lab report. Wholeness that a medical doctor will never find with a stethoscope.” (42)
I like that Clemence writes with honesty and humor. I could identify with so many of her experiences, like the male cat who just had to mark his territory in their house. I also like the wisdom and insight she shares with us. She has included great questions at the end of each chapter that are good for personal reflection and action. She also shares Scripture and a prayer.
I recommend this book to women who feel overwhelmed. (Well, men can read it too but they are asked to skip the sagging body parts section.) You'll get some laughs but you will also be presented with wisdom and insight on living life well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 16, 2018
This book. I couldn't get past page one and I thought Jessie was talking to me. She sees me in my house. She reads my mind. She is every woman. Above her cut-to-the-chase relatable style, what I love about this particular book is Jessie's practical, biblical wisdom that is so simple it makes you breathe a sigh of relief that there are still normal people in the world who have not gone crazy about the things that make us crazy. I'm a counselor by trade and this book will be in my arsenal of resources to share with clients and moms who are stressed about so many things. This is a must read, a must share, and I will be busying copies for many.
April 4, 2018
Jessie got me with the title, and the introduction. "Dear Stressed-Out Woman with a Twitch in Her Eye." It's a little bit Erma Bombeck and whole lot of Jessie Clemence. Delightful! After reading this book, I feel like I know Jessie. But I don't know her, and now I want to meet her and give her a big hug and say thank you. She is completely transparent about her struggles and joys as a wife, mom, sinner, and all-around stressed-out believer. Somehow she balances hilarious tales with biblical wisdom. It works! She surprises and delights, but it's all intended to point us to God and the Bible. She's a married mother of middle schoolers but her book touches the stresses and pains that every woman of every age feels. Romance, change, chaos, families, perfection, clutter and junk and more. I'm an empty-nester and completely related to her chapter on Aging. One reminder was perfect for me to speak encouragement to younger moms. She suggests words as simple as "I remember how terribly hard it was. You're doing fine." Every chapter closes with several questions to make it personal. Then she offers a reading from the Bible and a prayer. Even her prayers resound with her voice. "I don't know what to make of a God who can create both adorable baby buns and an old man's toenails, but you are awesome." Seriously! She made me laugh out loud! This would make a perfect small group study but its' also a blessing to read and study on your own.
March 26, 2018
Fun and funny, encouraging, and practical, Jessie Clemence shares hope for the overwhelmed and stressed out!
February 22, 2018
I must admit it was the title that first captured my attention. Just thought it sounded fun! It did not disappoint. All too often we let the world dictate our self-worth and value instead of our creator. Love the humor and biblical reminders! Great read!
January 24, 2018
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Kregel Blog Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
In reading this book I had a familiar problem that I have often documented before, in that the book was written by a woman, largely about women, and for women. Unlike some books where this problem is the case [1], the author outright states that she knows little about the way that men deal with stress aside from hitting things and so she does not aim this book at them, and at points in this she expresses surprise that men would be reading this book at all. It is likely that the author wished to show herself an expert on an aspect of stress, namely how it deals with her, rather than take the time to learn if there are any different approaches that would be beneficial in writing to and about men, although it is lamentable that she chose to set herself up as a partial expert rather than to seek to understand men. This world would have a lot fewer books, and be the better for it, if authors refused to write about a subject unless they could do it justice and do their audience justice.
This book is a set of short chapters that take up about 200 pages divided into three parts. The first part of the book looks at the stresses relating to adulthood, such as housework, finances, health, aging, romance, responsibilities, change, and politics. The second part of the book looks at the stress that other people cause us, like arguing and conflict, chaos and noise, misunderstanding, drama, competition, entitlement, family dynamics, and possessions. The third part of the book looks at the stress we cause ourselves through procrastination, micromanagement, perfectionism, mistakes, overscheduling, sin, discontentment, material possessions, personal plans, and pride. Each chapter ends with questions that make the subject matter personal, a focus on scripture, and a personal prayer. Overall, the author blends a great deal of humor along with an attempt at scriptural points for most of the chapters, although she claims that clutter was not an issue in the ancient world so she attempts no scriptural discussion of this particular point, leaving it to the reader to determine to what extent our possessions are owning us rather than the other way around.
There is a great deal to enjoy about this book. The author is witty and humorous and tells a lot of funny stories about herself. She also appears to be at least generally familiar with the Bible as it relates to issues of stress and anxiety and trusting in God even though it is difficult for us to do so. It is hard, though, not to see this book as a bit of a wasted opportunity. As is often the case in books, this author wants to portray herself both as an expert in the application of scripture as well as someone who struggles as well, and when this tension is combined with the author's seeming ignorance about how men deal with stress, the author comes off not only as more clueless than is desirable for a would-be expert guide to spiritual matters but also as someone who should be more focused on learning than sharing her supposed expertise with others. This is an author whose flaws and shortcomings are worthy of reflection and repentance, but the author seems to treat it as one big joke. Unfortunately, this lack of seriousness makes this book less effective than it could have been had the author been more focused on understanding than presenting herself as a nearly blind guide to the blind.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
In reading this book I had a familiar problem that I have often documented before, in that the book was written by a woman, largely about women, and for women. Unlike some books where this problem is the case [1], the author outright states that she knows little about the way that men deal with stress aside from hitting things and so she does not aim this book at them, and at points in this she expresses surprise that men would be reading this book at all. It is likely that the author wished to show herself an expert on an aspect of stress, namely how it deals with her, rather than take the time to learn if there are any different approaches that would be beneficial in writing to and about men, although it is lamentable that she chose to set herself up as a partial expert rather than to seek to understand men. This world would have a lot fewer books, and be the better for it, if authors refused to write about a subject unless they could do it justice and do their audience justice.
This book is a set of short chapters that take up about 200 pages divided into three parts. The first part of the book looks at the stresses relating to adulthood, such as housework, finances, health, aging, romance, responsibilities, change, and politics. The second part of the book looks at the stress that other people cause us, like arguing and conflict, chaos and noise, misunderstanding, drama, competition, entitlement, family dynamics, and possessions. The third part of the book looks at the stress we cause ourselves through procrastination, micromanagement, perfectionism, mistakes, overscheduling, sin, discontentment, material possessions, personal plans, and pride. Each chapter ends with questions that make the subject matter personal, a focus on scripture, and a personal prayer. Overall, the author blends a great deal of humor along with an attempt at scriptural points for most of the chapters, although she claims that clutter was not an issue in the ancient world so she attempts no scriptural discussion of this particular point, leaving it to the reader to determine to what extent our possessions are owning us rather than the other way around.
There is a great deal to enjoy about this book. The author is witty and humorous and tells a lot of funny stories about herself. She also appears to be at least generally familiar with the Bible as it relates to issues of stress and anxiety and trusting in God even though it is difficult for us to do so. It is hard, though, not to see this book as a bit of a wasted opportunity. As is often the case in books, this author wants to portray herself both as an expert in the application of scripture as well as someone who struggles as well, and when this tension is combined with the author's seeming ignorance about how men deal with stress, the author comes off not only as more clueless than is desirable for a would-be expert guide to spiritual matters but also as someone who should be more focused on learning than sharing her supposed expertise with others. This is an author whose flaws and shortcomings are worthy of reflection and repentance, but the author seems to treat it as one big joke. Unfortunately, this lack of seriousness makes this book less effective than it could have been had the author been more focused on understanding than presenting herself as a nearly blind guide to the blind.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
March 25, 2018
I read this in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. I received a paperback book . The book is Christian based. The subtitle is Biblical Alternatives for stressed out living.
I wanted to read the book because I am stressed out, especially in the past month. This month alone, Brad had an allergic reaction to accidently taking Kalen's medications. Kalen and I had a bad cold. My appendix burst. I missed Brad's ARD/IEP meeting for extended school year (ESY) because of the surgery. Luckily, the diagnostician already knew my wishes and held the meeting without me. My laptop decided to die, while laying on my bed for two days, turned off. Kalen also had tonsil and adenoid surgery to help with his sleep apnea. I had an unpleasant OB/GYN visit. Not to mention, the joys of just raising specail needs kids. Every day is an adventure in not running away to a Caribbean island, drinking a long island iced tea.
I feel my kids run the show and I am slowly losing control of everything, including my mind.
This is why we eat too much chocolate and cry in the shower. This is why we need a nap and a million dollars to fall out of the sky. We've had enough. Life is just too much. p. 13
The book teaches us how to rely on God even when we are stressed out. I loved when the author discussed cleaning in chapter 2. Her Ikea bowls were always missing and she hated looking for them. In my house, I have the same issue. I spend a lot of time hunting down spoons, bowls, and other kitchen utensils. Some of these was already in limited supply. I only own 4 bowls. Don't need much. I live with 3 people and rarely have company over. If for some reason, I do, I got 4 plates. I don't understand why my oldest can't bring utensils back into the kitchen after he uses them. He also has a bad habit of tossing his dirty diapers anywhere, when there are multiple trash bags throughout the house. Trying to clean the front room is stressful. I found old chicken bones behind my rubbermaids the other day. Not fun.
Trying to clean and unclutter my house causes many stress filled days, but who says my house has to be perfectly clean? It would be nice but it may not happen. The author said the bible does not base our value on how clean our houses are. The bible focuses on the condition of our heart.
What got me (because I skipped ahead to the end of the book) was the conclusion. The author discussed how two of her friends adopted special needs kids. I understand special needs parenting well. You have to deal with the normal things like paying bills, cooking, cleaning, but also dealing with the special needs side. The constant doctor appointments; the outright refusal to take medications; the sleep meds not working; and the meltdowns. One meltdown this week lead me to a bitten, bruised arm because he did not want to go to his monthly behavior appointment for his meds.
The book also includes questions, a focus, and a prayer at the end of chapters.
I wanted to read the book because I am stressed out, especially in the past month. This month alone, Brad had an allergic reaction to accidently taking Kalen's medications. Kalen and I had a bad cold. My appendix burst. I missed Brad's ARD/IEP meeting for extended school year (ESY) because of the surgery. Luckily, the diagnostician already knew my wishes and held the meeting without me. My laptop decided to die, while laying on my bed for two days, turned off. Kalen also had tonsil and adenoid surgery to help with his sleep apnea. I had an unpleasant OB/GYN visit. Not to mention, the joys of just raising specail needs kids. Every day is an adventure in not running away to a Caribbean island, drinking a long island iced tea.
I feel my kids run the show and I am slowly losing control of everything, including my mind.
This is why we eat too much chocolate and cry in the shower. This is why we need a nap and a million dollars to fall out of the sky. We've had enough. Life is just too much. p. 13
The book teaches us how to rely on God even when we are stressed out. I loved when the author discussed cleaning in chapter 2. Her Ikea bowls were always missing and she hated looking for them. In my house, I have the same issue. I spend a lot of time hunting down spoons, bowls, and other kitchen utensils. Some of these was already in limited supply. I only own 4 bowls. Don't need much. I live with 3 people and rarely have company over. If for some reason, I do, I got 4 plates. I don't understand why my oldest can't bring utensils back into the kitchen after he uses them. He also has a bad habit of tossing his dirty diapers anywhere, when there are multiple trash bags throughout the house. Trying to clean the front room is stressful. I found old chicken bones behind my rubbermaids the other day. Not fun.
Trying to clean and unclutter my house causes many stress filled days, but who says my house has to be perfectly clean? It would be nice but it may not happen. The author said the bible does not base our value on how clean our houses are. The bible focuses on the condition of our heart.
What got me (because I skipped ahead to the end of the book) was the conclusion. The author discussed how two of her friends adopted special needs kids. I understand special needs parenting well. You have to deal with the normal things like paying bills, cooking, cleaning, but also dealing with the special needs side. The constant doctor appointments; the outright refusal to take medications; the sleep meds not working; and the meltdowns. One meltdown this week lead me to a bitten, bruised arm because he did not want to go to his monthly behavior appointment for his meds.
The book also includes questions, a focus, and a prayer at the end of chapters.
March 19, 2018
When I read the book description, I thought this sounded like a good book to review. I have enjoyed reading it. The book is divided into three sections....
The Relentless, Endless Muck of Adulthood
Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out
Sometimes I Stress Myself Out
She has a lot of funny stories which the readers will be able to relate to. I appreciate the biblical perspective she adds to these too.
Topics covered in the chapters of this book include procrastination, finances, housework, misunderstandings, and entitlement to name a few.
As I read I kept a list of quotes that really stood out to me. Here are a couple of those:
"The Bible never once tells us our value is based on how clean our tubs are or how tidily our linens are folded. But it does tell us to carefully guard the important things in our hearts and to focus on what's really important."
"Our eternal security and citizenship rest in what Christ has done for us, not in how many religious memes we post on Facebook. We've lost our focus, and we desperately need to get it back."
I think you will be encouraged by this book. Sometimes we just get all bent out of shape over things that don't ever matter. It's good to take a step back and recheck our priorities. There were a lot of things that made me stop and think, which I always appreciate as I read.
While I didn't agree with everything the author said, I did enjoy this book overall and found it to be a good read and encouraging to me.
I received a copy of this book for my review for being part of the Kregel Blog Tour. Thank you.
The Relentless, Endless Muck of Adulthood
Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out
Sometimes I Stress Myself Out
She has a lot of funny stories which the readers will be able to relate to. I appreciate the biblical perspective she adds to these too.
Topics covered in the chapters of this book include procrastination, finances, housework, misunderstandings, and entitlement to name a few.
As I read I kept a list of quotes that really stood out to me. Here are a couple of those:
"The Bible never once tells us our value is based on how clean our tubs are or how tidily our linens are folded. But it does tell us to carefully guard the important things in our hearts and to focus on what's really important."
"Our eternal security and citizenship rest in what Christ has done for us, not in how many religious memes we post on Facebook. We've lost our focus, and we desperately need to get it back."
I think you will be encouraged by this book. Sometimes we just get all bent out of shape over things that don't ever matter. It's good to take a step back and recheck our priorities. There were a lot of things that made me stop and think, which I always appreciate as I read.
While I didn't agree with everything the author said, I did enjoy this book overall and found it to be a good read and encouraging to me.
I received a copy of this book for my review for being part of the Kregel Blog Tour. Thank you.
March 8, 2018
Do you wonder where life is going sometimes? We focus on the things we see around us, the laundry, the bills, the housework, we over commit ourselves to church, our jobs. All this can weigh on our shoulders.
Written especially for women, author Jessie Clemence has written a book about combating stress, examining the Bible for answers. With 27 small chapters, dealing with h situations that we can see ourselves nodding our heads, thinking, yes I've been there done that! With her wit and a great sense of humor. She knows the day to day stresses that we face and she discusses what the bible tells us about how we should react to the daily frustrations that come into our daily lives.
Every chapter closes with three focuses; make it personal, a scripture\passage that ties it all together, and a prayer for today.
The themes are tough, the author doesn't hold back. They are important and sometimes can be challenging and convicting.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. Not only was it fun to read, but I learned that I am not alone in my stresses and that we need to lean on God more and less of ourselves.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Written especially for women, author Jessie Clemence has written a book about combating stress, examining the Bible for answers. With 27 small chapters, dealing with h situations that we can see ourselves nodding our heads, thinking, yes I've been there done that! With her wit and a great sense of humor. She knows the day to day stresses that we face and she discusses what the bible tells us about how we should react to the daily frustrations that come into our daily lives.
Every chapter closes with three focuses; make it personal, a scripture\passage that ties it all together, and a prayer for today.
The themes are tough, the author doesn't hold back. They are important and sometimes can be challenging and convicting.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. Not only was it fun to read, but I learned that I am not alone in my stresses and that we need to lean on God more and less of ourselves.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 16, 2018
I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars is a great book for everyone – men, women and all ages. There are a few chapters (or parts of chapters) the men may want to skip ahead (they are given permission to do so by the author herself) but overall, this book is great encouragement for all people. The author writes in such a way you feel as though you are sharing a lunch break with her at your place of employment, sitting beside her on the bleachers at your child's athletic game or standing in the lobby at your church between services. While she is fun-spirited and full of spunk (tells it like it is), bottom line, she loves Jesus and isn't afraid to show it. She will bring you God's truth in a way that speaks truth. She understands, encourages, and gives hope in short, easy to read chapters that fit into anyone's schedule. Highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt any type of stress in their lives – ever. You're stressed? I bet Jessie will cover the reason behind your stress and offer you encouragement and a good laugh.
I was given this book as a complimentary copy from the publisher, but all opinions are strictly my own. I was under no obligation to write a review.
I was given this book as a complimentary copy from the publisher, but all opinions are strictly my own. I was under no obligation to write a review.
March 9, 2018
A relatable, humorous and loving way of looking at stress. Rooted in Biblical truths Jessie Clemence encourages us to take to heart that there is a better way of living. In a culture where stress is sometimes a badge of honor, we can live counter culturally. The practical application questions, scripture and prayer allow readers to dig deeper into God's truths. I could relate to the three sections of the book: The Relentless, Endless Much of Adulthood, Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out and Sometimes I Stress Myself Out. As Jessie says, " Our lives don't have to look like this; we get to choose. May we choose well, and may God fill in all the places we lack." I'm thankful for her voice in giving us permission to choose differently and hold God's hope close in daily struggles.
April 1, 2018
This book was so much fun to read. Real life situations I could certainly relate to. Problems and life challenges that stress us out as moms or just women. Jessie gives humorous, yet thought-provoking encouragement and insight using her own life and Scripture as examples. There were so many things I could relate to, I often found myself saying - "Yep, that's me!".
The chapters were easy to read and I enjoyed Jessie's style of writing. Her illustrations were quite entertaining and often filled with humor. The issues she addressed - control, stress of our own making, procrastination, loving people, our season of life, were all areas I needed encouragement in.
I would recommend this book. I received my copy courtesy of Kregel Publications and was not asked to review it positively.
The chapters were easy to read and I enjoyed Jessie's style of writing. Her illustrations were quite entertaining and often filled with humor. The issues she addressed - control, stress of our own making, procrastination, loving people, our season of life, were all areas I needed encouragement in.
I would recommend this book. I received my copy courtesy of Kregel Publications and was not asked to review it positively.
February 12, 2018
Jessie Clemence has a fresh voice that's tuned into real life. Mostly, she has found the path of least resistance for mothers. You'll find snack size chapters that are fortifying and easy to nibble on during the day, preferably with dark chocolate.
February 28, 2019
Great insights about what it means to live the real Christian life
Great insights into the mind of the author whose life is permeated by the grace of God. Who else would give her these insights?
Great insights into the mind of the author whose life is permeated by the grace of God. Who else would give her these insights?
October 3, 2017
More details coming. In the meantime, go ahead and mark this as "Want To Read". You'll be glad you did.
October 24, 2017
I had the chance to read an advanced copy of this book. Go preorder it now. You'll thank me later.
February 19, 2018
Great read.
May 4, 2018
Enjoyed this book as a devotional.
February 22, 2018
I'm just over a third of the way in and am enjoying the author's style and voice. She understands firsthand how hard adulting can be, and her humorous, poignant snapshots of life keep it real. I'll post further thoughts once I finish reading, but for now I heartily recommend the book to stressed-out Everymoms wherever they may be.
April 24, 2018
This book my husband keeps picking up and glancing at. The title is catchy and it fits the author's style-- of humor and attention getting perspective to connect the reader to the advice she's giving. But what I found so refreshing was the fact that her advice is grounded in the Word of God, as the subtitle says, "Biblical Alternatives to Stressed Out Living."
Here are some things I appreciate about the book:
This book is easy to read, entertaining, grounded in the Word, with poignant tales of the author's life and experiences as well as connections to the Bible.
Every chapter (and they are not very long) closes with three focuses; make it personal, scripture connection, and a prayer for today.
Make it Personal are questions for you to connect to your life.
Scripture- is a passage
Prayer a way to process and apply the concepts as you talk with God.
This could make this a great book club book or Bible study group interaction.
Chapter Quotes (each chapter has a different font inserted with a line at the front quote, that really is a meme to go with the theme and solidify a point). For Example:
God was at work, moving exactly the right people into place for exactly the right time. (on change)
Jesus didn't back down from righteous conflict. We rarely get anywhere near righteous conflict because we are too busy fighting over stupid stuff. (on arguing and conflict.)
Jessie Clemence's writing style reflects our current culture referencing a quote from Jen Hatmaker, or HGTV, or Target. She relates to a typical woman of this day.
The author 'gets the reader' and sees you, where you are, in the midst of daily life, and it shows in your reading the book, you feel like this is a mentor girlfriend chatting with you.
The topics are bold, necessary, and sometimes a little confrontational or convicting, but the humor, the perspective, and the real connection to the Word, can use this book to convict your heart and help you trust the living God and His Holy Spirit to be your nap and a million dollars, and live an abundant, satisfied life as God directs.
Thank you Kregel for an advanced copy to review, the thoughts here are my own.
Here are some things I appreciate about the book:
This book is easy to read, entertaining, grounded in the Word, with poignant tales of the author's life and experiences as well as connections to the Bible.
Every chapter (and they are not very long) closes with three focuses; make it personal, scripture connection, and a prayer for today.
Make it Personal are questions for you to connect to your life.
Scripture- is a passage
Prayer a way to process and apply the concepts as you talk with God.
This could make this a great book club book or Bible study group interaction.
Chapter Quotes (each chapter has a different font inserted with a line at the front quote, that really is a meme to go with the theme and solidify a point). For Example:
God was at work, moving exactly the right people into place for exactly the right time. (on change)
Jesus didn't back down from righteous conflict. We rarely get anywhere near righteous conflict because we are too busy fighting over stupid stuff. (on arguing and conflict.)
Jessie Clemence's writing style reflects our current culture referencing a quote from Jen Hatmaker, or HGTV, or Target. She relates to a typical woman of this day.
The author 'gets the reader' and sees you, where you are, in the midst of daily life, and it shows in your reading the book, you feel like this is a mentor girlfriend chatting with you.
The topics are bold, necessary, and sometimes a little confrontational or convicting, but the humor, the perspective, and the real connection to the Word, can use this book to convict your heart and help you trust the living God and His Holy Spirit to be your nap and a million dollars, and live an abundant, satisfied life as God directs.
Thank you Kregel for an advanced copy to review, the thoughts here are my own.
February 24, 2018
I was able to get an advanced copy of this book and I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it! I love Jessie Clemence's honest and humorous writing style.... ❤️
March 19, 2018
While reading chapter after chapter, I was thinking, "Me too" and "Haha yes I do that too!" and "huh, same here." This book is extremely relatable. I guess it's because as adults, everyone suffers some level of stress. It's humanly inevitable. Primarily written for women, the author says at one point in the beginning chapters, "I don't know anything about men and stress. It seems to be a lot of yelling and throwing things in the garage."
As women, we overthink things all the time. We create problems when there aren't any, we google our symptoms and find out we're dying in three days, and yet refuse to go the doctor when there really is something wrong. Men don't do this. Men are lucky.
The title definitely caught my eye. That was the reason I chose this book for review. And then when it arrived, I scanned the Table of Contents and immediately was intrigued. There are titles like Cute New Shoes Will Not Fix This Mess, but it Can't Hurt to Try Them On and I Demand an Explanation For all This Extra Skin and You Know What Would Fix This? Doing it My Way. Sounds fascinating, doesn't it? (I didn't even pick the best ones - all of the titles are funny like that.) And the appeal doesn't end there. All the chapters are written in the same engaging style; they pull you right in with the humor and true stories. The adjectives and verbs she uses are... descriptive, and with every sentence you read you get an extremely clear (and most often, hilarious) image in your head. (You should hear the synonyms she uses for little kids. I laughed. Hard.)
The book is divided into three sections. The first section is about the stress of general life, the second section about the stress others cause us, and the third section is about the stress we cause ourselves. The end of each chapter features a Make It Personal section that has questions that you can answer to deepen your thinking, a Scripture Focus that has a Bible passage fitting for that chapter and a Prayer for Today that you can read so you can make it through each day with a little bit less stress.
You can use this book as a daily devotional, but I'm willing to bet you won't be able to wait till tomorrow to read the next chapter. That title will lure you right in and before you know it, it's time to go set the table for lunch.
While reading through this book, I kept my eye open for a quote to put in this review, but I soon realized I couldn't pick anything; I'd have to copy the whole book onto this blog. And so because that would get me kicked off the blogger program I guess it's best just to read it for yourself.
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