I love a good book…especially those that encourage me, and inspire me as a mother and wife. I just finished the book that was so hard to put down: Passionate Housewives Desperate for God, and I am blown away! It was so much more than an encourgement…it renewed a vision within me, and brought back a vitality to my calling–something I can’t put a price on!
One thing I found amazing about the book, is that it can meet women who have never heard of the biblical model of womanhood, or a woman who fully embraces her calling. It is a beautiful introduction of the freedom of being a godly homemaker, and yet it is an incredible source of energy for the woman already immersed in her calling!
“Submitting to our husbands, loving our families, keeping our homes, walking in sobriety and wisdom, and caring for the everyday needs of others, within the realm of divine order, communicates Christ–and this celebration of family, hospitality, and children causes the world to look upward.”
Unlike some books I’ve read about being a homemaker, this book didn’t leave with me with an overwhelming sense of failure, painting an unattainable picture of what a homemaker should be, but rather spurred me on with a biblical picture, and encouraged me spiritully and practically in the calling God has for women.
The focus of the book is to dispel the myth of both the current feminist lie that so prevails in our culture, and the “June Cleaver” myth of the 50’s, with the spotless house and flawless figure.
“The truth is that biblical motherhood doesn’t mean we’re promised postcard-perfect days where we lounge together with our little ones on the porch swing in white starched dresses sipping lemonade and singing in harmony. Homegrown children take a lot of hard work–and sometimes ‘it ain’t pretty’. Other times, it’s breathtaking.”
Passionate Housewives beckons us to embrace the paradox of serving others as a means of fulfillment.
“Biblical motherhood means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication….we must see the godly generations beyond our own children. This means denying ourselves and being consumed with God and His love for us.”
The book is a breath of fresh air among the stench of our self-driven culture.
“Submitting to our husbands, loving our families, keeping our homes, walking in sobriety and wisdom, and caring for the everyday needs of others, all within the realm of divine order, communicates Christ–and this celebration of family, hospitality and children causes the world to look upward.”
I urge women of every age, whether single, married, happy, miserable, old or young, to grab this book, read it and share it with someone! Because to me, it’s not just a book; it’s a directional sign that points to the Answer! It tells a truth, that if embraced, will change your life, your family’s life, and on a larger scale, the whole world!
“…homemaking is far more than housekeeping. We need to toss out narrow modern-day conceptions that are built around stereotypes and restore our vision based upon God’s word. When we do we can being to understand why the biblical family is an indispensable foundation stone of a healthy society–and what happens when that stone is removed.You want to watch a culture self-destruct? Eliminate the fathers, make the mothers neglect their children, and teach everyone to forsake the weak, the needy, and the elderly.”
It’s a call to the individual woman, and it’s a call to an entire society.
“Look around at the homes that make up our culture. There is the root of the problem [death of th Western culture]. Homes that are emptied of their meaning and purpose make up the culture in which we live. When homes do not have creative, happy, intelligent mothers keeping them, their occupants go elsewhere to learn how to behave, what music to love, what art to imiate. Are you building culture in your home? Are you training your children to be the image-bearers of god in this world? This is your calling.” (Emphasis mine.)
There is so much more I could say about the book, but I want to leave enough suspense! I just can’t emphasize enough the freshness of vision Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald have created through their book. It is a must read both for women who have never seen biblical womanhood, and for women who just need a dose of encouragement.
It is no doubt, in my opinion, one of the most important books out there for the health of the family. I pray God uses it in a mighty way to strengthen this and the coming generations!
11 comments
Stacy belongs to an email group I’m on, so I sort of know her and have heard a bit about the book from the beginning. Another gal on that list and I are going to take part in a PWOC study with the book that unfortunately won’t begin until next week. We’ve been looking forward to it for a while and will be glad to get an idea of what the buzz has been all about for the last few weeks since they published it!
Absolutely wonderful book, I agree! In my humble opinion, tied with Debi Pearl’s “Created To Be His Helpmeet” as the best book I’ve ever read, second to the Bible. I’m glad you’re promoting it.
I’m reading this right now and it debunks so many myths that we easily buy into about being keepers at home. It’s been very encouraging so far and I’m thankful I heard about it from a friend in November.
This is a wonderful book, I loved it and came away feeling so encouraged and as you say it doesn’t leave you feeling like a failure as a wife/mother/housewife.
I agree! It was a breath of fresh air for me and by far the best book on being a Christian wife that I’ve ever read.
It held so much encouragement for me and I let another friend with 9 kids borrow it and she was greatly encouraged and uplifted too! I pray God continues to multiply the blessing of this book!
I’m very much an egalitarian.
And I LOVE this book! 🙂
Kelly, do you have any favorite chapters?
I love Stacy Mcdonald’s fictional writing, she is very talented.
I love her fictional writing too!!
Yes, Stacy is versatile.
Jennie’s writing was surprisingly (to me) enjoyable as well; very fluent and accessible.