Feb 12, 2012

"The Good House Wife's Guide" Book Review

I am really rather new to the world of blogging both writing my own and reading others. However, about a year I began coming across blog after blog that encouraged me in ways that mother and church groups have never before challenged and motivated me. These women encourage me to cultivate and model traditional values and morals including dressing modestly, homeschooling to train my children to honor the Lord, practicing frugality, being a submissive and respectful wife, and being a homemaker who serves with a joyful heart. One blog I found to be exceptionally encouraging is The Time Warp Wife Ministry.

Darlene Schacht shares her passion to encourage wives and mothers to serve their families. She offers tips and encouragement with sound Biblical principles on topics of marriage, parenting, and home management. You can find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. She has even co-written a book called "Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness."



So when she asked if anyone was interested in reading and reviewing her new e-book "The Good House Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Roles as a Help Meet" I was quick to volunteer!

I found Darlene's writing to be warm and inviting. As I read her values and convictions, I became convinced of her passion for women to follow God's calling as wives and mothers to joyfully serve in the home. I could really feel her truly genuine desire to lead "women toward a noble character and good family values" (Schacht 18).

Darlene has designed her message to inspire all women no matter their stage in life or age or whether they work at home or outside the home. She simply exhorts women to prioritize their faith and family over other commitments. Her lessons are practical and encouraging. When I first read through her book I became confident that I, too, could achieve the attitude and self control necessary to become the kind of wife and mother that would honor God.

"The goal is to be moderate
in all things so that we're
living a balanced life" (Schacht 47).

Throughout the book you will find Biblically based instruction and utilitarian advice for managing your home. The lessons that I am most learning from are her many tips on making your day run smoothly as a homemaker and her guide to cleaning the home throughout the week. I like the principles of keeping routines, using wisdom to plan and prioritize your day, and doing specific cleaning tasks each day of the week.

I am also learning a great deal from Darlene's tips and lessons that encourage you to not be slothful, not be selfish, to find joy and security in submitting to the leadership of your husband, decluttering your home, and to be a diligent manager of what you have including not allowing food to spoil and not allowing lights to be left on which is wasting hard earned money.
"Scripture isn't a candy bowl by which we pick and
choose our favorite words hoping to satiate our
palette. It's a well-balanced diet of truth which is
difficult to swallow at times, but nevertheless it
brings nourishment to our soul" (Schacht 84)

What I love about this book is that Darlene shares her real life struggles and lessons learned that led her to be an exhorting woman like in Titus 2 of the Bible. She doesn't simply write a book that tells you how to be the perfect wife and mom, she shares how she struggled with staying organized and how she considered herself "domestically challenged." But, she reminds us that "Scripture after scripture we see God equipping those He calls" (Schacht 62). Isn't that powerfully encouraging? He calls women to be wives, mothers, and keepers of the home. He will provide the strength you need to accomplish that calling!

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others
above yourself." Philippians 2:3 (Schacht 86)


I wanted to end with this verse because I believe it is the focal point for which we as wives and mothers must live by. Is it easy? No. Do I always get it right? No! Trust me, you are reading a blog from a very human and very sinful creature but by the grace of Jesus I am saved. The Holy Spirit now guides my life and I am able to see truth. This guidance doesn't always prevent me from making mistakes but it makes me painfully aware of those mistakes and lovingly guides me to truth that I can learn from to purpose (with His help) to prevent mistakes from happening again. Its not that I have arrived, its the continual process as long as I am on earth of building habits that cultivate behavior that has me "value others above" myself and serving my family with a joyful heart.

I hope you consider investing in yourself and your family by learning from older Titus 2 women, reading blogs that encourage you, and finding time to be in God's word so He can equip you for what He has called you to do. Consider purchasing "The Good House Wife's Guide" as another way to invest in your quest to serve God, your husband, and your children with a joyful heart!

♥Shari

~ This book was offered to me for the purpose of writing a review. The opinions expressed are my own and come from my heart.

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2 comments:

  1. I have really been considering getting her book. I'm glad to hear that you like it.

    Thanks for commenting on my blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much! That was a beautiful review. What a blessing to hear that you liked it!

    ReplyDelete

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