The Umbrella Book

I am always on the lookout for gospel-driven books with applicable wisdom for the many areas of our lives, and I have just added a new title to my favorites list!

When I first started The 10 Best Decisions a Single Mom Can Make: A Biblical Guide for Navigating Family Life on Your Own I expected to find a book written for mamas with whom I would be unable to relate. Being in a healthy marriage with a beautiful church family and a strong community of friends and family I assumed that I would not personally benefit from reading this book, and was simply hoping that I might better understand my single mama friends better.

What I found, however, was depth of grace for every mother including me, spurring us on from where we are now in our parenting journey, and lending encouragement and clear instructions on how to pursue Biblical excellence moving forward. I was indeed given a more clear perspective on the unique struggles a single mom endures, and found a sweeter compassion welling up in my heart for my girlfriends who have been commissioned to single parent. In addition to better seeing a single mom's heart, though, the utter practicality of the foundational aspects of parenting- whether doing so alone or with a partner- were a treasure!

Other than Scripture, there is no complete instructional on parenting through every hard issue.

This handbook, however, presented and answered ten crucial issues of raising children using practical application of Biblical truths, thus creating a beautiful foundation for every future question that may arise.

From finances to fitness, leadership to love life, caring for hurt hearts and rebellious hearts, talking through friendships, futures, and faith, this beautiful book sits at just 200 pages of hope and practicality.

🌿I heartily recommend it to my single mom friends: may you find hope and direction within its pages.

🌿I heartily recommend it to my married mom friends: may you be encouraged as you walk with your husband to raise your children.

🌿I heartily recommend it to my childless, empty-nester, or single girlfriends : may you better love the single moms in your life as you better understand their hearts.

Thank you, Pam and PeggySue, for pouring your hearts into this beautiful book. It was a delight to read, and a honor to recommend.

Despite having finished this book way past my bedtime, I couldn’t wait to write a review!

Some of my favorite takeaways:

• Praise God instead of pressing Him for answers.

• Hope for the future

• Investing the gift of now

• Being excited to repent because of the freedom and invitation of forgiveness

• Simple confidence in God = the joy of peace

• Deciding that my health and wellness are gifts to me and my children

• How to better listen and build trust with my children

• Using gratitude to battle resentment

• Creating contracts for communicating expectations and building trust

• Remembering that "no parent, or two parents, can fill a child's love needs... God's love is the only love great enough to meet and surpass all our needs."

• "God is at work even in this."

• I am called to be a strong, confident, consistent parent.

• Even the best moms have lifesavers stuck to their rear ends.

• "Being a single mom is your experience, not your identity."

• Financial security: "No matter your path, God has gone before you and walks with you."

• "THE CORE OF PARENTING IS HELPING YOUR CHILD BECOME A PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE ADULT WITH THE INTEGRITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING EVEN WHEN IT IT HARD AND EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING."

You can grab a copy (for yourself, for your single mom friends, for your married mom friends, for your own mom, for your pastor's wife, your brother's neighbor...) HERE.

I love to recommend books that speak to my heart and change my life! Do you have a recommendation for me? Or perhaps you have a new release to share? Please email me at Contact@ChristinHunt.com and let me know! ~Christin

Is it hard to accept help?

Did you say no to assistance? Why?

🌿I once had a sweet, blue-haired lady offer to help me in some way, and I attempted to refuse. She then had the kindest, most stern look on her face and practically wagged her finger as she said, “Don’t you dare refuse me the opportunity to be blessed, simply because you think you’re being nice. Each time you refuse help you are robbing others of a blessing.”

🌿 Remember, dear sister, that Jesus wired us for community. We are in each other’s lives for the sake of worshiping Jesus through service to others. In order to serve others, however, we must have someone to serve, which implies that we in turn must be humble to accept that service.

🌿 The ability to care for yourself is not a sin. We are to be good stewards of our energy and resources. Those that neglect the proper care of themselves in the guise of “allowing others to serve” encourages a dangerous heartstance. So do what you can, but when you can’t, also beware the pride of self-sufficiency that refuses needed help.

🌿Jesus’ rescue plan was in place long before any of us realized we needed rescuing. In the same way, many of us have unknown needs that we are ourselves unaware of until we accept the kind assistance of a friend.

🌿Serving others is wonderful, and those that do so will reap beautiful blessings. Humility in accepting that help, though, is a blessing in and of itself. 🌿

BUT I’M NOT THANKFUL!

If you are having a difficult time cultivating a thankful heart, I’ve created a gift for you. Here are 25 ways to practice gratitude when you feel especially unthankful for your current circumstances. If you are reading this, then I have been praying for you- that your heart would be filled with the joy and peace of Christ that supersedes every hard circumstance. I love you. 🌿

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