Sand in My Sandwich

Sand in My Sandwich is one of those light-hearted, easy reads that makes your time on the treadmill go by fast! It was a perfect follow-up to Holly Gerth's book, as Sarah Parshall Perry candidly and openly lays out her personal and family life for the reader in a witty and inviting memoir-style manner. From her perfectionist-driven legal career, to her whirlwind marriage to a laid-back, country boy husband, and from her three children (two with an autistic spectrum diagnosis) and various pets to her own diagnosis of Behcet's Disorder, she comically relates the good, bad and ugly; through it all however, Perry is always pointing out how God's grace can be seen and His love can be felt through all of life's situations, no matter what they are. With applicable verses to her life's battles scattered throughout, she reveals how even through our greatest cracks, blessings can still overflow from the jars of our lives.

This book is definitely not your normal "how-to" parenting book, but still contained valuable nuggets of wisdom in every chapter; it reminds the reader of God's sovereignty and the need to trust Him in both the big and little things of life. It reminds us that His power and grace are essential in parenting. And it reminds us of His ability to "take the chaos of us and make it something wonderful".

Disclosure of Material Connection: As stated in the review, I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for the review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

I knew I would probably enjoy You're Loved No Matter What from the first chapter. After a quick quiz to test whether we feel pressured to be perfect, author and life coach Holly Gerth delves right in on why women give up the grace God so richly holds out to us and strive instead for perfectionism, an expectation many women battle (especially in this age of facebook and pinterest)! She points out that this is exactly what Satan tempted Eve with back in the garden of Eden, and we are still fearfully trying "to be like God" in unhealthy ways. Chapter by chapter, Gerth uses illustrations, analogies and simple, easy to apply advice to stress that we need to focus on the grace God extends, freeing us to live how He created us: focusing on the talents He has given us and where He has currently placed us in life, and not expecting us to be perfect by ourselves or in everything.

Though much of this information wasn't necessarily new, this book was yet another great, practical and Scripture-filled reminder to focus not on the pursuits and viewpoints of this chaotic world, but rather look at our lives the way that the Lord does; to this end, she gently and positively reminds the reader that we are always perfectly loved by a perfect God. It ends with a "Go Deeper Guide" with questions that can be answered individually, with an accountability friend or in small groups. Though it was a quick and easy read, I will definitely be reading through it again to better absorb it's advice and take notes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: As stated in the review, I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for the review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255