Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full: Review, Interview, and Giveaway
It was 8:00am and I already longed for bedtime. I had refereed two conflicts over toys. I attempted to tackle the mountain of laundry that seemed to quadruple overnight. I repeated instructions multiple times to easily distracted minds. “It’s time to brush your teeth.” “Keep your finger out of your nose.” “Only use kind words.” My head and throat hurt and I could feel a fever brewing.
Motherhood is a life that stretches you both inside and out. It’s a daily practice of laying down your will and desires for the care of others. It’s an energy sapping life where you start each day with less energy than you had the day before. Nothing belongs to you anymore, not your space, your time, or your sleep. Some days feel like a bad version of Groundhog Day, a repeat of the day before.
As a mom, I usually get caught up in the details of my days. I get wrapped up and consumed by the chaos and the unexpected situations that come my way. I struggle in my weakness against the current of life’s challenges, only to make no headway at all. And most of the time, I end up spent, weary, discouraged, and alone.
On that day, when I felt sick and sapped of all strength, physical and otherwise, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms
by Gloria Furman arrived in the mail for me to review. It was the perfect word of truth and encouragement that my weary heart needed. The title alone spoke to me because my hands are always full. But too often I focus on everything I’m carrying in those hands rather than on my treasure, Jesus Christ.
Gloria’s book is filled with gospel wisdom from cover to cover. She reminds us that Christ is there in every situation that we encounter as mothers. Not only that, but we can treasure him in the midst of every chaos, every sibling spat, every sickness, and every cup of spilled milk. These meditations cover situations that every mother can relate to. Filled with examples from her own life, Gloria weaves gospel encouragement into every page, bringing hope to the daily challenges of motherhood.
This book reminded me that the gospel is for all of life, including motherhood. Our theology of the cross and the redemption purchased by Christ’s blood can intersect with bedtime battles, fatigue, and easily distracted children. What Jesus accomplished at the cross can be applied to every moment of our daily lives. Even when our head throbs from the resounding echoes of little voices calling our name all day, gospel peace is always available through Jesus Christ.
I asked Gloria a few questions about her book and this is what she said:
CF: What inspired you to write this book and what do you hope women pull away from it?
GF: Busy moms have their hands full, and I want them to revel in the hope that comes from the gospel and see how their hands are full of blessings in Christ.
CF: I appreciated your honesty in chapter 5 where you shared the challenges you faced in early motherhood with having a regular quiet time with the Lord. I remember this struggle myself. As moms, finding quiet and solitude with God is hard. But as you point out, the Lord is just as near to us in the chaos of our day as he is in the quiet alone times. Do you think that mothers can have a tendency to just give up on communing with God because of the season of life they are in? For the mom who is reading this now, who is facing this challenge, what do you want her know?
GF: Sometimes we think that if only we could have peace and quiet in the house then we will have peace and quiet in our heart. How easy it is for us to relegate Jesus’ presence to an easy chair in a picture-perfect living room (with an accompanying cup of hot coffee)! For the mom facing that challenge of finding quiet time, I would want her to know that solitude or circus, it makes no difference in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to give you everything you need for life and godliness.
CF: You touch on this a bit in the book. In our internet age, where mom blogs saturate the internet with “how-to” articles and “5 steps to getting your kid to ___”, it seems that we often seek after quick fixes and practical step by step advice. Do you ever get the comment from readers that “it’s just too much gospel” and not enough practical “how-to” advice? What do you say to that?
GF: There is no shortage of resources and practical tips for helping moms navigate the challenges they face; I surf these websites for tips all the time. I hesitate to share my practical advice because it really only works for my set of unique circumstances a pitifully tiny fraction of the time, and whenever I give other moms “how-to” advice I have to preface it with that disclaimer. But I can, however, share the gospel confidently without reservation because the cross teaches us what to expect when we’re expecting challenging situations in motherhood—“mercy and grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). Of course, solid practical advice is a mercy and a grace, but the cross addresses our deepest and most urgent need, which is to behold our God. In short, we can gain great benefit from practical how-to’s, yet the implications of the help and hope we receive from the gospel are inexhaustible.
CF: Is there one passage of Scripture, or a few passages, that have given you particular hope and peace during the often chaotic and busy season of motherhood?
GF: Yes! In this particular season I have been particularly encouraged by Isaiah 40:11, Zephaniah 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 28:18-20. And Ephesians 1-6.
I am giving away two copies of Gloria’s book. Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full: Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms. US residents only. Giveaway ends on 4/11 at 12am EST. Update: Stephanie and April were the winners of this giveaway. Congratulations!
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Julie
April 8, 2014 at 5:26 am (3 months ago)I almost purchased this book last night when I was buying two books to read with my daughter on Amazon. The cost of those was over $20 and I decided to wait:) I have actually told my husband that when I read “how to” and “fix it” lists in parenting and fail to read gospel content regularly, I notice such discouragement in my soul. The gospel really is our only hope as mothers! I’d love to have a copy of this book-I really enjoyed Gloria’s “Glimpses of Grace.” Thank you, Christina, for the good news of the gospel that saturates your posts. I always read them while my coffee brews before opening my Bible and I’m always encouraged and reminded that our delight must be in Christ alone!!
April
April 8, 2014 at 6:54 am (3 months ago)As a homeschooling mom of 4 I desperately needed this reminder today! This book sounds like an answer to prayer, thank you for sharing:)
Jamie
April 8, 2014 at 7:34 am (3 months ago)This book has been on my wish list, I’d love to have a copy! I’m also a homeschooling mom to 4 (including a 2-yr old) and need to daily preach the gospel to myself. Thank you for your blog posts that really do make much of Jesus…they are such an encouragement to me!
KB
April 8, 2014 at 7:56 am (3 months ago)I really loved her last book and suspect this will be no different with this one.
Stephanie Crosby
April 8, 2014 at 8:45 am (3 months ago)Looks like a great book that points to Christ and not ourselves.
jenn
April 8, 2014 at 8:46 am (3 months ago)I needed this book yesterday after starting potty training and then losing our family dog all in one day. Only Jesus!
Angela G
April 8, 2014 at 8:51 am (3 months ago)I’ve been really wanting to read this book since I heard it was coming out! You and Gloria are the two blogs that I follow on a regular basis. I’m always so encouraged and challenged! Thank you for being real with the joys and challenges of motherhood and for always bringing our hearts and minds back to the gospel. I can’t imagine going through this life without Jesus and I’m so thankful he gives us a community of believers to journey with.
nive
April 8, 2014 at 9:06 am (3 months ago)Would love to get this book for several reasons rightnow.
Rachel Erin
April 8, 2014 at 9:42 am (3 months ago)This is definitely on my to-read list! It’s a constant struggle to meditate on Christ and his sacrifice in the craziness of motherhood! Thanks for the giveaway!!
laurafulks
April 8, 2014 at 10:05 am (3 months ago)I love the idea of shorter segments to read and then think about as I go throughout the day.
Morgan
April 8, 2014 at 11:00 am (3 months ago)Can’t wait to read this book
Jen
April 8, 2014 at 11:07 am (3 months ago)With 3 boys, my hands are full, and I would love to read this book!
Leslie
April 8, 2014 at 12:12 pm (3 months ago)Totally want this book, I love “hearing” another woman’s heart on seeking Christ in all things and Gloria does that! Plus the title fits my life for sure!
Deb
April 8, 2014 at 12:54 pm (3 months ago)This book is on my must read list but I am making myself read everything else on my muse read list FIRST. I have two Pinterest boards, books TO read in 2014 and books COMPLETED in 2014.
Thanks for the giveaway.
kaye
April 8, 2014 at 1:57 pm (3 months ago)ive been a mom for almost 4 years now, and a believer in Jesus for 9. its taken me THIS LONG to realize that the idea of filling up on the Word and leaning on the help of the Spirit EACH DAY, EVERY DAY, starting in the morning, is vital for my heart and actions. the idea of Jesus being our daily bread, our living water, and all we need, was such a nice sounding thing i sang about in songs but never really GOT. until now, as i am tripped up by the challenges of being a mother of young ones, running a household, serving my community, keeping a marriage thriving, etc. what all that meant is that i seriously need God more than food. more than precious uninterrupted sleep. more than life giving water. i need Jesus. not in lofty, ideal world, when my kids are grown up, i’ll get to that later sort of thing. but now. today. every day. nothing makes a bigger impact on how Christ dwells in me and uses me than spending a little time with him each day. id love to read this book!
Mattie
April 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm (3 months ago)How true! Only giving proper worth to the real treasure puts all other things in right perspective! I would love to read this:)!
Lisa Tarplee
April 8, 2014 at 4:32 pm (3 months ago)This seems like a must read. Savoring the Gospel in the midst of raising little ones is a constant struggle and one that I can easily give up on. There is much hope for us in him.
Jaime
April 8, 2014 at 4:57 pm (3 months ago)I would love to read this book! As a homeschooling mom of a 5 year old and a 2 year old, my hands are always full and my alone time is nonexistent. This sounds like a wonderfully encouraging book to remind me that Jesus is present especially in these chaotic times.
Jody
April 8, 2014 at 5:20 pm (3 months ago)Sounds like a good read for any Mommy! We all have full hands…want my heart to be full (overflowing) too.
thedittys
April 9, 2014 at 6:49 am (3 months ago)With our first little boy arriving in July, I would love to get to read this as I learn to be a mama!
Judy
April 9, 2014 at 11:37 pm (3 months ago)Thank you for the timely and practical encouragement!
Sybil Brun
April 9, 2014 at 11:51 pm (3 months ago)This book has been on my wish list for some time and oh how I’d love the opportunity to soak in the encouragement and wisdom from it’s pages! Thank you for such a wonderful, God-honoring site and post, Christina!
Jacquie
April 10, 2014 at 7:06 am (3 months ago)The title alone makes me want to devour this book! Motherhood is hard that we must cling to Jesus
honeybeekurtz
April 10, 2014 at 11:57 am (3 months ago)My husband and I are in the middle of the adoption process, and I am looking for gospel-focused resources on motherhood and parenting, in general. This book sure seems to fit the bill! Oh, how we need our Savior.
Kristen
April 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm (3 months ago)The title alone drew me in to your post! It sounds like an awesome book and very much needed at the moment. Hubby is working 12-hour shifts every day for the month of April and with three kids, my hands are definitely full! I’ve been doing a lot of searching on ways to set aside time for Jesus throughout my day.
Lanae Trevino
April 10, 2014 at 11:53 pm (3 months ago)I’m a mama to 4 boys 6 and under. My husband is in the process of planting a church while working a full time job. I feel a bit stretch (to say the least) most days and could really use the encouragement of a book like this.
Kim Plattner
April 11, 2014 at 12:12 am (3 months ago)The desire of my heart is to live my life treasuring Christ, but so often the busyness and heaviness of life lure me to fix my gaze on my circumstances instead of Christ. I need constant reminders to lift my eyes to the beauty of Christ in the Gospel!
Nancy Larimer
April 11, 2014 at 1:02 am (3 months ago)I would love to read this book. I have two kids with ADHD and ADD and so often feel very overwhelmed! Nancy
Wendy ...Secure in Christ
April 11, 2014 at 1:49 am (3 months ago)Thank you Christina for sharing this review. I look forward to ordering this book. This mama needs the gospel everyday!