If you know me, you know I love to read. I don’t often have as much time to read as I would like, but it is important enough to fit it in where I can. Reading is such a wonderful way to continue the growth and learning process long after the school years are over. The following books have left deep impressions on my heart this past year, and changed and grew me in ways I would have never imagined. If you are looking for some life-changing books to add to your list, you may want to check these out.
How I Know God Answers Prayer and Climbing by Rosalind Goforth
Both of these little books are powerful! I personally loved How I Know God Answers Prayer best, but because I know I will get the storylines confused, I mention both here. They are both memoirs about Rosalind’s life as a missionary in China. The first has a specific focus on seeing God do miracles in her life, but the second also includes amazing stories as well.
I loved how down to earth and realistic she was about her life. Even though the time period was late 1800s and early 1900s, her life was surprisingly relatable. And I think that’s why I loved it so much. She was so honest about navigating motherhood in a foreign country. She was angered at the lice and bugs on her children, feared sickness and death for her children and her husband, was frustrated by the customs of the people, and so many more very humanly relatable circumstances. But in every situation she spoke about how God would convict her heart, and she, sorrowing over her sinful state would turn back to Him in complete reliance and trust. She spoke about being at the end of her rope and learning how to completely rely on God alone. She navigated the devastating loss of 4 or 5 of her children, despaired over parting with her living children when it was time to send them off to school. She was amazed at the Holy Spirit’s power her husband seemed to have, and went on a journey to find it for herself.
I learned so much from this simple, sinful woman, who had big feelings, wanted to be in control, and learned to rest in Christ through every hardship and trial. Maybe it’s because I find myself facing similar struggles. Maybe it’s because she reminds me so much of me.
As a famous missionary wife, you expect her to be almost perfect, but in the pages of those little books, you find a woman who faced just the same struggles as us, many times with a bad attitude or frustrated spirit, but always, ALWAYS, eventually giving it to God. It was so encouraging!
I’ve read these books before, but this year, they just sat different with me. My favorite books of the year!
Victory in Christ by Charles G. Trumbull
In the books mentioned above, Rosalind Goforth mentioned a few times how impactful Charles Trumbull was on her life when learning to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Since the Lord had been working in my life in the same way, I was interested to read the books she mentioned by him as well.
These men understood what it meant to be daily walking in the Spirit, daily filled with the Spirit, and daily seeing the miracles of God in their lives. That’s what Rosalind Goforth found in her search. And that’s the kind of life I want to live. This little book from 1923 tells you how.
8 Errors Parents Make and How to Avoid Them by Michael Brock
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read on practical biblical parenting in a long, long time. I love that Michael clarifies that each age needs a little bit of a different kind of parenting, and it’s not one size fits all. He does cover the need for discipline, but does so in a grace-filled way. I find that parenting books often lean heavily toward one or the other, and he does a good job taking a balanced approach while not neglecting the hard or politically incorrect teachings of scripture.
His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley
This is a book I like to revisit often, particularly the ‘His Needs’ chapters. Although the author does reference the Bible once or twice, this is not a “Christian” book. However, you’ll definitely find Christian principles sprinkled throughout. What I love about this book, is that it reminds me that marriage takes intentionality and work. And if I take the time to put the intentionality and work in, there will be fruit. It reminds me that marriage is primarily about putting the needs of my husband before my own and intentionally searching out what his particular needs are and focusingon on those. The happiest marriages are those where each spouse lives for the other.
The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy
If you need a mindset shift to stop thinking negatively about everything, this is a good little book to read. The authors explain how to start focusing on measuring progress from where you started rather than against your ideal. It’s a powerful concept that has drastically changed my thinking and has allowed me to find more joy in life and to be more grateful, even when it’s hard. *It does contain some language.
Good Energy by Casey Means, MD
This book helped me gain a better understanding of mitochondrial health…which basically means the health of your cells. Every single disease has the same root cause…cellular dysfuntion. It was SUCH an eye opening read that I will definitely be revisiting it.
I loved that she explained how to order and read your own blood tests, and the five things to specifically look for to know if you have some sort of cellular dysfuntion.
She helped me understand that the food we eat and the environment we live in can directly effect the health of our cells. She even had a chapter on Circadian Rhythm and our light environment, which you know I’m a HUGE fan of. Something that stuck with me is understanding how our food BECOMES our cells. This was the kick in the seat I needed to start shopping locally grown foods instead of from bulk grocery stores where food is coming from hundreds of miles away.
One warning I would add is that this book definitely has a feminine energy/mysticism feel especially in the beginning and end (not so much in the middle where she is talking health specifically). I find that very common in many health books, so you just have to read with discernment. I do not care for or recommend the “spirituality” chapters and being one with the earth, yata, yata, yata. However, I can, as a Christian, appreciate the amazing design of our bodies, the earth and our {non-processed} food, and how God created literally everything in our world to heal and sustain us! So amazing!
Hard is Not the Same Things as Bad by Abbie Halberstadt
This is another book that will completely change your mentality. In a world where around every corner you run into a person with a victim mindset, we need this solid rock truth. Hard is Hard. It isn’t bad. In fact, it can actually be good! I appreciate the way Abbie continually brings us back to God’s Word, reminding us that through the hardships and trials of life, He offers to grow us if we will rest in Him and trust His will. We are not victims. We are VICTORS through Christ! (Her book M is for Mama is also wonderful.)
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate is one of my favorite historical novel authors. Her books always stay with me for a long time after I close the cover. Her newest novel was no different, and it did not disappoint. She has a gift for covering hard topics very delicately. Her book, The Book of Lost Friends, is a favorite of mine.
Have you read any of these? Did you enjoy them as much as I did? I’d love to hear what your most influential reads were in 2024. Let me know below!