Psst! This post contains affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Well hi there! I’m actually really excited for today’s post—it’s been on my to-do list for months and for some reason, it never got written. But today I wanted to share some of my favorite books and devotionals. About a year or so ago, I started reading a little more in the Christian genre (I tend to read straight chick-lit!) and have really enjoyed it. I don’t know why it took me so long! Anyway, while there is definitely a motherhood focus on many of these, but I’ll be sure to give you info just in case you aren’t a mom and still want something to read!
1.The One Year Bible Expressions
For 2019, I decided to read the Bible in its entirety. At first, I didn’t think I would need a special Bible to do this (couldn’t I just look up a plan online??) but after seeing the layout of this Bible, I thought it would be worthwhile (and save time as a busy mom) to just open up one Bible and start reading, rather than researching special plans and every day referring back to the plan to see what I needed to read. So this Bible is broken down by day, and each day you have an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading, a little bit from Psalms and little bit from Proverbs. There are lines in the Bible for note taking, and every few days there is a verse to color, so I have some colored pencils ready for my morning routine as well now! So far, I am really enjoying this Bible and think it was totally worth it to get a separate Bible for the sole purpose of reading in one year. And obviously, you don’t have to be a mom for this one! 😉
This devotional really spoke to me as a mama. It’s really a devotional that understands that #momlife is so busy, and the authors planned for that. Each day you have a simple but completely relatable topic, a prayer, and some reflection questions. There are 100 devotionals in the book and I thought they were really honest and helpful while always pointing me right back to the perfect Parent…God.
If you want a short but sweet read, here’s my pick. It’s basically a book on the saying “the nights are long but the years are short.” I loved this reminder to pay attention, to remember these little moments while my kids are young, and to take time to really, truly slow down. If there’s one thing I know about motherhood, it’s that what everyone says is 100% true—one day you’ll wake up and your kids will be grown. My kids aren’t grown yet, of course, but I feel like yesterday I was pregnant for the first time and today I’m mom to an almost 5 year old and a year and a half old. So yeah, I believe in the need to slow down.
Need a devotional that has nothing to do with motherhood? Here. You. Go. My sister was recently here visiting and she ended up taking this one home with her. It is SO GOOD (and I think she agrees). This devotional encourages bold steps in your walk with Jesus…and it was a great reminder for me, because I tend to not be very brave. Each day, the author gives you a challenge of something to do that day that requires you to be brave and bold. And since the author is single and has no children, you definitely do not need to be a mom to relate to her. But she’s relatable to us mommies too!
Speaking of my sister, she was reading this book the last time I went to Michigan and she let me take it once she was finished. This book, as the title suggests, is all about setting up your morning routine so that you start your day with God. While I was already heading into a better morning routine anyway, this book gave me a lot of easy strategies to help me stick to my new mornings. It also talks about the importance of planning your day so that you glorify God, and also helps to reframe the idea of “fitness” from a body that looks amazing to having a body that is strong, healthy, and able to do whatever God is calling you to do.
Ugh, I loved this book! It just felt so authentic and conversational. It had real aspects of motherhood—the good and the not-so-good. At the end of each chapter is a prayer and a reminder of the hope we can find in Jesus. I read this one a while ago, but writing this blog post is reminding me that I need to get myself over to Amazon in the near future and buy another book by Becky Thompson!
I loved this book! If you are a type A, perfectionist, typical first born child like me, and you haven’t read this one, I wish I could hand it right to you. This book has it all-advice, pretty pictures, reflection questions and space to write your answers, and reminders that you are enough. While I do think it leaned toward moms (because Emily Ley is a mom!), I really think any woman can adore this book!
If you need an easy read, this is a collection of essays from moms, tackling a wide range of topics. Although this is another one I read quite some time ago, as I recall, I did get teary eyed on a few of these! I always appreciate honesty about motherhood…it can be so frustrating to only see the perfect snapshot of parenting on social media. These authors are definitely honest and open, and I felt alllll the emotions at some point!
Here’s what’s next up for me!
Tonight, Brandon and I took the kids to Target because everyone needed to get out of the house and it was too cold and rainy to get real fresh air. So we let Harlyn and Mav run the aisles of Target! While we were there, we perused the book section, and I found two goodies (and thankfully, my sweet sister had given me a gift card for my birthday that was burning a hole in my pocket still)! So here’s what I’m starting soon!
Apparently, I really like 100 day devotionals, because this is my third one! This does not mention motherhood on the back cover, so I’m going to say this one is for any woman. Pretty cover, space to write and reflect…I’m excited!
Okay, technically, not a book or a devo. But a guided journal from Emily Ley? YES PLEASE! Per usual, it’s colorful and pretty and I am PUMPED. I think this one is for any woman…and with 52 weeks of journaling, I really think I’ll gain a lot from this. My plan is to start this upcoming Sunday!
Alright mamas, please, oh please, tell me your favorite books for Christian moms! I absolutely love reading, but add to it Jesus (and how pretty they make these types of books!), and I seriously can’t wait to dig in. So…what do I need to read next???
