I was going to skip sharing about the books on my table this month, but after visiting with a friend about what I am currently reading, I realize how much some of you love hearing about good books, and as I share what I’m reading it has led to wonderful discussion!

So here are the books currently on my ranch table:

Quiet Time/Devotional:

Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts

This was a suggested devotional by my friend, Stephanie, who like me, loves the writing from older generations of Christian Writers. This book has become a precious part of my time with God and a favorite gift to give to those who desire to “Come Away” with God, to experience His love, grace, protection, and provision.

The book is like a love letter written by God to the reader, giving the feeling of sitting in His presence and letting His Word settle in your heart. It’s a wonderful companion to your daily Bible reading. With words written often from the perspective of God speaking to the Believer, is done in a way that will benefit both new Believers as well as mature Christians.

“Do not walk in the path of human reason, and resist the pressures that would project you into conjectures about the future. Live one day at a time! Simply striving to bring joy to your Father’s heart is enough to keep you occupied. For you know that He loves you, and you will find your peace as you rest in Him.” ~  

Frances J. Roberts

Non-Fiction:

When Mountains Crumble. . . Rebuilding Your Life After Losing Someone You Love by Danita Jenae

I discovered this book after watching several people within my community suffer unimaginable losses over the last several months. I was looking for a resource to give to those who are caught up in the grips of grief.

I found in reading this book the added benefit of helping with my own processing of residual grief that still remains from losing my mom almost 7 years ago. I have discovered that we don’t just “get over” or “get through” grief without a lot of working out of it. It’s a journey that no one wants to take, but if there is help that can be found along the way then that’s where healing happens. The author shares her own story of grief at losing her husband, and each chapter ends with reflection questions, a prayer, and Scripture references. 

“Grief leaves us with empty arms and fistfuls of questions. If we don’t get help processing our loss, we can easily get stuck there. But take heart – there is hope for the path ahead.”

~ Danita Jenae

Fiction:

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

This historical fiction was suggested by a good friend of mine a couple of years ago, and this month it was my turn to choose a book for the book club I’m part of here. I wasn’t sure about the history of the characters and the events of this story that takes place in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky in the 1930’s. I had to do a little research about the Pack Horse Librarian Project that President Roosevelt implemented as a way to get books to the poverty-stricken people living in the hills of Kentucky. Reading this book has made me realize that we take for granted the easy access we have to books! I also had to look up the “Blue People of Kentucky”. I was fascinated by this small group of people who had skin in varying degrees of blue. It is a story of a strong young lady, Cussy Mary Carter, who faces poverty, horrible prejudice, and unbelievable abuse in a forced marriage. 

I am still in the middle of this story, and although at times I get a little lost in a jumble of words and some confusing dialect, the story and the characters are both heart-warming and heart-breaking. Mingled in with a tale of the harsh meanness of people toward Cussy are stories of those who have kind hearts and gentle touches, people who see past her blueness and into her soul: 

“Before I could give the rag back, she groped for my hand, latched on, and said quietly in her old voice, ‘See all my fabric, child?’  ‘Sure is a lot.’ ‘Well, them cloths are a lot like folks. Ain’t much difference at all. Some of us is more spiffed up than others, some stiffer, and some still, some softer. There’s the colorful and dull, ugly and pretty, old, new ‘uns. But in the end we’s all fabric, cut from His cloth. Fabric, and just that.’”

~ From The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

What books are on your table currently? Leave a comment and let me know, I’m always looking for the next good book!