SISTER WISDOM : build a better life

Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God

by Sheila Walsh

Thomas Nelson Publishers; 3 out of 5 stars

I like this book, I do, so I feel kind of guilty being harsh in my review. But repetition bores me, and the writing in this book is very formulaic. Each chapter follows the same format: personal story or anecdote, parallel drawn to Biblical character, more insight into Biblical character interspersed with additional personal anecdotes, conclusion, and then the "transitional sentence" to lead into the next chapter.

It's the transitional sentence that really gets me. At the end of every chapter, it's a little phrase concluding what we've just learned, but then telling in a semi-cliffhanger fashion that we better keep reading. It was just too predictable and annoying. That's it, really: I was just annoyed by it. The repetitious format felt like being talked down to, though I can see clearly that's not the author's intent. And that's why I feel semi-guilty about not writing a happy, fluffy review about the book.

What I can see from the content itself, once I step past the stylistic annoyances, is very good. Walsh is an excellent researcher and pulls out details about the various Biblical characters in a way that is both engaging and informative. She brings their stories to life, ties them into her own story, and pulls out practical applications for her readers. Walsh is a good teacher, and that's what comes across in her book.

I have a hunch that there's a junior editor to blame here (ahem, Thomas Nelson Publishers), someone who read the manuscript and said, "Sheila, this is great, but we need a little continuity here; why don't you go back and create a transitional sentence at the end of every chapter, something like this.... And also, don't tell your whole personal story up front; just give a little bit, and be vague, because that will keep the readers interested and pull them into the book."

In my case, those strategies backfired. They were too obvious and they detracted from the content itself, which is relevant and, overall, well-written. My bottom line is this: it's worth reading. It's a thought-provoking message and it challenges us, women who tend to worry or fear or not really trust God, to let go of our hang-ups and trust a capable and loving God. Walsh intelligently and directly deals with those excuses and questions that always come up: "How can I trust God when He let ... happen? How can I trust God when I don't know Him?" Etc.

If you are a woman who struggles with trusting God and/or with trusting people, grab this book and use it as a Bible study. The book even includes a Bible Study Guide in the back for a group, which could be great for you and a couple of friends, a women's prayer group, a Mom's Day Out program. And as a group study book, the repetition in the format will work, I think, to create continuity in a way that doesn't work just for a sit-down, read-through book.

Bottom Line: Worth the read if you want to learn more about how to trust God completely.

*I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. 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.