Once upon a time, I could sit down and read for hours. I had the time and the attention span. I would tear through 400 pages by Doestoevsky in a matter of days, and I read things that I needed to hear.
Things have changed. My reading now takes place in snippets, and often just before I fall asleep (which makes for some interesting dreams, if nothing else).
Small Steps for Catholic Moms is a book designed for people just like me.
We know we need a little boost, a little challenge and encouragement to make our days something better than a frantic game of catch-up. So in this book, the year is laid out, one page per day, with something to think about, something to pray for, and something to do.
It’s by Danielle Bean and Elizabeth Foss — two moms who know a little bit about being busy, raising kids, and how easy it can be to feel like you’re drowning if you don’t have a little specific encouragement to turn things around.
Wednesday’s page made me laugh out loud. The “think” one said:
So you’ve been hauled over the coals? Don’t follow the advice of pride and lose your temper. Think: ‘How charitable they are toward me! The things they’ve left unsaid!’
Ha. I needed to hear that. Here is the prayer that goes with it:
Sweet Jesus, I talk too much. I sigh too often. Please give me sufficient grace to keep my mouth closed in the face of trials.
and the call to action:
What is it that you are avoiding? Do that thing today and suffer through it with a silent smile.
Okay, so I failed at that while I was halfway through typing out the sentence above. But that’s kind of what this book is about: small steps. Not major renovations, not thorough overhauls. Just little things that you really can do — easy enough to achieve, but important enough to make a difference, if you put the effort it. So now I am trying again. I can do this!
Now for the giveaway. Just leave a comment on this blog, and in a few days I will randomly select someone to win a free copy of this neat little book.
Oh, and you can also enter to win a signed set of the complete set of CatholicMom.com books!
Here is another taste of what you can find in this book. This excerpt is from November, which has a theme of gratitude:
Think:“Because I am so weak, you have pleased to grant my childish little desires, and now you will grant the rest—other desires far greater than the Universe.”– St. Thérèse of LisieuxPray:You have given me so much, gracious God. I look over my catalog of blessings this month, and I am moved by your generosity. So often, my prayers are petitions that are tied to this world on earth. Please know that above all, I want most to be with you in heaven.Act:Take a moment today to thank someone who accepts you despite your weaknesses. These kinds of friends are gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Small Steps for Catholic Moms is going on a blog tour, so you can hear what other bloggers have gleaned from this helpful little book. Here is the schedule of tour stops:
- October 1 – Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic
- October 2 – Rachel Balducci at Testosterhome
- October 3 – Ginny Sheller at Small Things
- October 4 – Barb Szyszkiewicz at Franciscan Mom
- October 5 – Grace Snow at Uncommon Grace
- October 6 – Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things
- October 7 – Pat Gohn at The Back Porch
- October 8 – Ginny Moyer at Random Acts of Momness
- October 9 – Christine Johnson at Domestic Vocation
- October 10 – Martina Kreitzer at Catholic Sistas
- October 11 – Simcha Fisher at I Have to Sit Down
- October 12 – Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress
- October 14 – Winner of “Five Minutes Alone” contest announced atCatholicMom.com
Don’t forget, leave a comment on this post, and you will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of this book. Good luck!