"When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams"

 

Book Description from the publisher:
 
Only God can heal our hearts
Life is full of twists and turns. Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades. We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we never expected. Yet in all of it, God is at our side--even when He feels far away.

Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to what we can learn about trusting God from women like Eve, Noah's wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot's wife, Rebekah, Rachel, and more. You'll discover what these ancient women did right--and what they did wrong--when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams. And you'll come away with the confidence that God loves you and is forming you through your trials into the woman He longs for you to be.


"The women of Genesis are fascinating, yet the narratives are terse. Jill Eileen Smith imagines what may have happened between the lines, and it causes us to ponder. How did the fall affect Adam and Eve's marriage? Why did Lot's wife look back? You'll be both educated and entertained."--Dee Brestin, author of The Friendships of Women and He Calls You Beautiful

"Steady and strong. Relatable and real. . . . This book has incredible heart--a drumbeat of God's enduring love for those we call mothers and daughters, sisters and friends."--Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of the Hidden Masterpiece novels and the Verse Mapping Bible studies


Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, The Loves of King Solomon, and Daughters of the Promised Land. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

My Review:
I was so excited when I saw that Jill Eileen Smith had written this book, a Christian Living title, as I have read every single novel she has written and have come away with a deeper, and clearer knowledge and understanding of various individuals who are in the Bible.  This new book, "When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams," is an obvious choice to read, because when does life ever go exactly how we have planned?!  We each have our own ideas of how life should be, but God is the one who decides and has our lives all planned out and He is always right there with us.  However, that does not mean that we are not going to experience lows or have moments of feeling alone.  Jill's purpose for this book is to provide us with hope, to remind us that God is in control and He is by our side through it all.  Each chapter is this book focuses on a specific woman from the Bible, some that are well known (Eve), others not so much (Noah's wife).  Jill states the passage from the Bible as to which each chapter is based upon and then the story and the details that really "complete" the story are shared.  Each chapter has a section of applying the story to the world today, to our life right now and also thoughts to ponder and questions to reflect upon.  I really enjoyed each of these chapters as I feel like I have a better understanding of these women and what their lives would have been life, and also I am left feeling hopeful and reminded of God's role in my life.  My two personal favorite chapters were the ones that focus on Noah's wife and Potiphar's wife; two lesser known individuals, but filling such big roles.  I highly recommend this as a book to read on your own or even with a small group.  

*Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book.*