Thursday, May 2, 2013

A few good books and Giveaway

I would give anything to go back and have read a couple of these books before my marriage failed.  I feel like if I had, maybe I wouldn't be where I am right now.  Because of the power and knowledge these books possess, I wanted to share them with you...

The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick
I ran to the book store when my husband told me he no longer loved me and bought this book, hoping to take the Dare and repair our marriage. Unfortunately, he didn't want to fix our marriage and I didn't get a chance to try this out for myself. But I read it anyway and watched the movie, Fireproof (it's on instant queue on Netflix).  After I read it and watched the movie, I wanted to tell every married friend I had to do the same.  Even if you don't feel like your marriage is in trouble, take the dare and make your marriage even stronger. 
*I loved this book so much that I am giving a copy away to one lucky reader.  See below on how to enter...it's super easy!
EDIT 5/7/13-It was brought to my attention after I posted this that Fireproof is no longer available on instant queue on Netflix.  It was on there a few days before this post, not sure why they took it off. But wanted to let everyone know...sorry!!


The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman
When the kids and I moved to Winston-Salem, we started attending the church where my oldest is going to kindergarten.  I thought I would be a great way to meet people and for her to be around kids from school.  It became so much more than that.  Dr. Chapman was preaching while the church searched for a new head pastor.  Listening to him every Sunday, was such a blessing.  The first Sunday we attended service, I went up and spoke to Dr. Chapman, told him a super brief story of why what brought us there and he prayed with me.  He then told me to come by  his office and he had something to give me.  The next day after taking my daughter to school, I went by his office where he had a copy of The Five Love Languages and another book I will talk about in a minute.  Oh how I wish I had read this book years ago!  I urge you to pick up a copy today and you and your spouse read it...I truly believe it will change your marriage in a good way!

If you happen to be in the same position that I am in and are separated from your spouse, I have two books I read that have really helped me deal with this.

Broken Heart on Hold by Linda Rooks
A friend sent me this book when my husband and I first separated. It can be read as a daily devotional or all the way through at once.  I chose to read it all the way through because I needed to hear the words she wrote, stories of other women she included and scripture and prayers she added in.  When I found myself to emotionally drained and too weak to come up with my own prayers when I needed to talk to God, Linda had some really good ones for me to use for all kinds of issues you go through when you're separated.
 

Hope for the Separated by Dr. Gary Chapman
This is the other book Dr. Chapman gave me and it was absolutely a huge help to me in my struggles.  He tells stories of other couples he's worked with and helped over the years.  And his words speak so much truth and shine light on things that I needed to realize. 

 


Looking for a good daily devotional...

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
I don't know how many times I have read the devotion for a certain day and swear the author wrote it just for me.  This devotional speaks directly to me and I'm not sure how I got through the early days of my separation without it.  It has given me that extra push I needed to give everything over to God and trust in him and His plan completely. 


 There is also a kids' version that I got for my girls and I believe it has really helped them.  It's a great way to sit down and have some daily devotional time with your kids.  


I wish no other mom or woman had to go through what I have these past several months!  Unfortunately I know there are plenty of others out there struggling the like I have, trying to understand what happened, rebuild their lives, find a new normal, carry the burden of it all on their shoulders so their children will feel as little pain as possible.  I will pray for each and every one of you out there!  We can do this!!   

Who wants a copy of The Love Dare?  Comment below and I will pick a winner at the end of the day.  I will send the winner a message and announce it on My little smarties Facebook page tomorrow.

13 comments:

  1. i might need to read that book...i just told my husband lastnight that it was time for me to find a story for this month. Thanks Sarah!!! This is Delana!!!

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    1. You can read it now, you were the winner! Thanks so much for commenting!

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  2. I have seen you thanking friends and family for support, but I just want to thank you for being such an inspiration and source of support for so many of us. I think that your strength is astonishing. Many of us are in marriages that feel very secure, like yours did, but all marriages take work and the fact that you have taken your pain and anger and been able to not only pick up the pieces and continue to be an amazing mom and women, but also to inspire all of us to do better and do the work to make our marriages better is incredible. BRAVO SARA, BRAVO!!!
    Megan

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    1. Megan-You comment brought me to tears. I wish I could explain just how blessed I feel to have such amazing friends like you in my life?! Thank you for reading the blog, thank you for your friendship, support and love and thank you for being you!!

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  3. I really love this. Such strength. I think it is really great you also took your children into account with the devotionals as well. I am always looking to teach mine further. I am going to watch the first one because I have Netflix. I will check up on the others as well. You are the light shining for others struggling Sarah. It is really nice when you have so many that care for you and apparently you do. God bless them and you and your littles as well. :)

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    1. I am so bummed about Netflix taking away Fireproof! Wonder if Redbox has it? Even though we have never met in person, I call you a friend and feel so blessed to have you in my life Amy! Thank you for you support, thoughts and prayers!

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  4. You are and continue to be an amazingly strong woman to me through all of this. You really have taught me a thing or to on how to handle every situation with grace and dignity. Always putting your kids first no matter how hard it is. Jesus Calling will forever be my favorite devotion! Thinking about and praying for you always.

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    1. What would I do without you Lyns!? You have been a friend to me for as long as I can remember and I can't imagine life without you. Thank you for always being there for me through everything! Love you!

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  5. I have been looking for something inspiring to read, this may be just what I am looking for!

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    1. Thank you so much for reading and commenting Bonnie! I hope you are doing amazing with your Shaklee business. I love reading and following along on your blog!

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  6. You are such an amazing person to look up to, Sarah! I do believe that these books are beneficial to any marriage, and/or everyday life, but I believe that you need to go back and reword your first paragraph. Sometimes people put their own selfishness above their family, and I know that your marriage failing was not your fault. I love you so much and am so glad your are back blogging!

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    1. Wendy-you have been such a pillar of strength for me through all this. You are an amazing mom, wife, sister, and friend and I thank God every day for you. Thank you for being here for me for whatever I have needed. I hope one day I can repay you for all you and Eric have done for us! Love you!

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    2. For some reason I'm just now seeing this. I haven't done much, but I know you have been there for me whenever I've needed you, and know you will be no matter what. You are so amazingly strong and we love you!

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