January 2016 - Kristin Saatzer

Can we talk about books?

I adore reading and discussing books. Feel free to hop over to the “Books I Love” page on this site and check that out. Some of my reads from this past year fall into categories from that list. It was a year of many “chick authors”. I began a few I had to force myself through (or didn’t finish). Some beloved ones I read yet again.

Here are a few worth mentioning:

Purpose~Priorities~Time:

The Best Yes (a reread with my Mom’s group at church) by Lysa Terkeurst) : An easy read by a witty, relatable author. Examine your decisions by choosing the BEST YES, which is sometimes a “no”.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: A cultural hurdle for me at times. A funky but surprisingly logical plan for getting decluttered. I’m reading it for the second time because I can’t seem to get my mojo going to get started with her plan. Second times a charm?

Spiritual Healing and Prayer:

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp: Poetic author. She chronicles her journey of healing life-change that came by recording one-thousand blessings. This woman has a spellbinding gift of stringing words together.

Novels:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford: Somehow I missed this book when everyone was reading it years ago. I loved the sweetness and intensity of the story of a Japenese American girl and Chinese American boy in the 1940’s. One of the highlights for me was the wholesomeness of this book. PG rating.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah: Besides that she spells her first name correctly… WWII France, two sisters, love, parallel story in modern times and French war history. Historical fiction at its finest! PG-13 here and there.

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: Another story of WWII France, a blind French girl, and a Nazi soldier. I couldn’t put it down. This author tells a beautiful tale. This book becomes PG-13 (wich surprised me!)

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: A classic gothic tale. This novel starts with my favorite opening out of all the books I’ve read: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again…” I’ve read it multiple times. I LOVE IT.

Apps and Websites:

~Amazon Prime of course! http://www.amazon.com

~Goodreads app

~http://www.bookbub.com Thank you, Mom! Daily email of ebooks on sale.

Books on my list for 2016:

Art of Work by Jeff Goins ~follow his blog, like his style

Love Does by Bob Goff ~follow him on social media, love his perspective and attitude

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee ~can’t believe I haven’t read this yet

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner ~looks like my kind of delicious

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo ~maybe if I keep reading about it, my house will magically become clutter free?

Happy reading friends!

What’s on your reading list for 2016?

My oldest child arrived nine days late. Labor lasted over twenty-four hours until my doctor performed an emergency Caesarean, transporting my baby boy from my womb into my arms.

A comfortable, familiar home was this dark womb; leaving was not what baby Sammy wanted. Yet, leaving was best. My baby had to come out of the darkness. The light waiting for him was bright but wonderful to behold. God meant for Sammy to enter this light, to live in it and thrive because of it.

Remaining in places of comfortable familiarity is not always best for us. Like the womb, these can be spaces of darkness. Oftentimes, we find it easier (or safer), to stay hidden in the dark.

As we begin this shiny New Year, you may feel regret as you reflect on the year we just said good-bye to. Was it less than shiny? Do you need a bright start?

As you read these words, I challenge you to stop and pray. Are there places of darkness in your innermost parts? Places desperately needing God’s Light to penetrate?

In God’s word, Peter tells us:

^“BUT you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)

Out of Darkness

Let’s focus in on the last two points of this verse: God has called us out of darkness, and into His wonderful light.

God called us out. The darkness is not our home, even though it may feel cozy and familiar. In today’s context, I am referring to those of us who claim Jesus as Savior, yet still live in or with shadowed, covered spaces. This can include shame, addictions, depression and many others. Personal, private darkness.

From the outside looking in, others may view us as “having it all together”. We may be leaders in our church and communities. We may have beautiful homes, cute outfits and darling children. However, pain and shadow reside in our souls.

Is the Lord speaking to you today? Maybe victory seems impossible or scary?

Where to begin? Continue Reading