When Women Long for Rest: God's Peace for Your Overwhelmed Life

by Cindi McMenamin

Women today are tired of feeling overwhelmed by all the demands on their lives and are longing for rest. They want to do more than just simplify or reorganize their lives; they're looking for a rest that will help them to... When Women Long for Rest is an invitation for women to find their quiet place at God's feet--a place where they can listen to Him, open their hearts to Him, and experience true rest.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

I am a wife, mother and national speaker who has authored 17 books, including "When Women Walk Alone," "Drama Free" and my most recent, "12 Ways to Experience More with Your Husband."

Through my speaking across the country, personal discipleship of women, and writing and teaching, I strive to help women find strength for their soul through a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Once they realize He is the Only One who satisfies, life takes a new, exciting twist. We can then take our frustrations and turn them into a deeper desire for God.

I live in Southern California with my husband of 30 years. We have an daughter who works for the Walt Disney Company.

I love writing, reading, outdoor activities and Jazzercise!

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. It challenges you to take a step back and re-prioritize your life to make healthy life style changes to improve your spiritual growth, your walk with God, and things that are most important to you. It teaches you how to Rest In God Alone and make the time to do so, without the guilt.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title caught my eye and the question on the back, "Are you tired of feeling worn out all the time?" hit home. I picked this one up because my answer was an emphatic, "Yes!" A lot of the ideas aren't entirely new to me but the author framed them in real world scenarios and applications from her own life. I always appreciate personal anecdotes that shed new light on concepts I have heard before (like the importance of coming before God in prayer, carving out time to spend with Him, etc.). Her humility in sharing her own lessons-learned in what happens when you *don't* rest were helpful in seeing where I can also make changes to lighten my load, and shift my priorities. She made it seem possible to find rest and in emphasizing the importance of finding that rest, made it something worth striving for in a busy world. It seems counterproductive to have to work at finding rest, but I think it's likely something that becomes easier as it becomes habit. Each chapter ends with a place to apply what you just read to your own life, or to further dive into what scripture says on that topic. My one complaint whenever a book does this is that there is usually not enough space to write my answers, and this one wasn't an exception. However, for the prompts that encouraged readers to write a prayer or copy out verses, there was plenty of space allotted.

I appreciated the reminder that worship doesn't have to just be on Sunday morning, that it can be while you're washing the dishes or doing the laundry. I liked that the author included a portion at the end of the book that explained how to become saved and encouraged anyone that made that decision to seek out someone to support them in that decision and offer more resources to help them grow. A lot of times I see salvation encouraged, but no mention on what to do afterward, so that was nice.

I didn't like the chapter that ended with the author wrote from the perspective of God, "Turn in my Word to Psalm 23. My servant, David, wrote this about Me..." and continues with reflection time in that same vein, "Now that you've read it, I want to talk with you about our relationship. Do you find that you are 'in want' about anything?..." I found it really awkward answering the questions phrased like that. Also, some of the ideas felt a tad repetitive, but not egregiously so.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. I would recommend taking it slowly, and soaking in each chapter, rather than rushing through it (especially given the topic).

[Shronda Eason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book discussed the importance of finding peace, even in a busy overwhelming world, in God! It was very encouraging and worth reading.

[BlueBird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across this author by her other book, " When Women Walk Alone", and after reading this gem I can not wait to read the other one.

I have been letting hustle culture get the best of me and I did not like who I had become. Rushed prayers or seeing Bible time as a chore instead of something I look forward to. I long to spend time with God and my family, and I have a lot of task to do on top of that. In all the chaos around and inside me, I really missed being with God, just sitting in His presence. No, looking up the perfect scripture to tell somebody this and that, no having to complete one chapter of the bible just to get it over with.
I want to keep worshipping the Lord when I do house chores and running errands. I pray for every part of me to unfreeze and trust God in the chaos.
Reading this book, especially chapters three, seven, and eleven really challenged me in everything and everyone I cherish and to straighten my priorities.

[Mendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for all women to get a good perspective on your role as a woman (wife, mother, friend). I learned a lot about taking care of myself and getting a perspective on "doing" even when doing for the Lord.