Have I ever mentioned how much I love Holley Gerth? I don’t even remember how I first found out about her books. It might of been through the company Day Spring. I have written a book review for one of her books, Hope for Difficult Times(You’re Going to be Okay). I find her books very uplifting and comforting. Whenever I’m going through a tough time I feel like I am listening to a close friend through he pages of her book.
What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days by Holley Gerth is a devotional book and very easy to read. Each devotion is about three pages long. They are written about different kinds of hard experiences you may be facing, such as feeling weary or discouraged. I know we have all been there. Sometimes we just need a little pick me up to get us through the day, and that is exactly what Holley Gerth delivers.
I love what she has at the end of each devotion. She has a place to write what you want to say to God, and what you hear God saying to you. Some of the titles are God Enjoys your Joys and God Will Bear Your Burdens. The first one really caught my attention. God enjoys my joy? I guess that’s something I usually don’t think about on a daily basis. Holley Gerth states “Yet through the years I’ve come to understand that my joy brings my heavenly Father joy too.” She describes it like a mother delighting in her child. Holley explains that doesn’t mean we get whatever we want even when we want something good. I often thought about this when it came to the death of my first child. Why wouldn’t God want to heal my daughter? That is a good thing. She reminds us that we live in a fallen world. Right now we won’t know why certain things don’t happen. Life can have a lot of heartache. But God will not leave things like this forever and I’m so glad for that! There are still many things that bring us joy in this life like a beautiful sunset, the birth of a child, or enjoying the afternoon with a good friend.
I really liked the second devotion I mentioned. It’s sometimes so hard to admit that we need help and that we need someone to lean on during difficult times. Dealing with a chronic illness forces you to lean on other people at times. It is never easy asking someone for help. I wrote about that in my post How to Ask friends for Support in Tough Times. Even though I have had a bit of practice asking for help I still don’t feel comfortable doing it. I like how Holley says that letting them help you is giving them a chance to love you. God doesn’t expect us to do life by ourselves. He wants to help us with our burdens and He often does that through other people. God wants us to rely on Him. We don’t have to be strong all the time. I can still use practice at letting others help me. I also want to help others in return when I’m able.
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I highly recommend this book. If you would like to purchase it you may do so through my affiliate link by clicking on the book at the top of this post. You will have the support and encouragement of a friend for 52 days! I am here for you too. For more info on my disclosure policy you may go to my about page.
Thanks for the reminder that allowing someone to help you is art of loving each other. It can be so difficult to do at times… Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/03/05/home-matters-linky-party-27/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #27
Thanks for visiting! I will check out your Linky Party.
This sounds like a really great book!! A devotion can make such a difference in your daily life. Any way to grow closer to God is a great thing!
Jamie recently posted…Recipes & More! “Orange Soaked Pound Cake” – #TastyTuesday
This sounds like a very inspiring devotional. Your post has been a good reminder that I have a God I can share my joys with. And seeing things from the perspective that when we let others help us we are letting God work through them too. I should share that with my husband because we are both people who do not feel comfortable asking for help unless we have to.
Thank you for sharing this book and author. I love devotionals but have never heard of her. I will definitely check it out!
Benita recently posted…Those Dreaded Words
Stopping by from Holleys, thanks for sharing this devotional, I’m looking forward to reading mine! Blessings!
Katharine Barrett recently posted…When You Pick Up a Trust Stone~The simple truth in letting go
I’m so impressed by you and all you’ve accomplished. Thank you for this wonderful post. It’s a reminder to myself that I am blessed, I am grateful, and this book looks inspiring.
Laine recently posted…Longevity For Dummies
I have not heard of her but this is a book I can see I would enjoy as like you I also lost my first daughter so I will be checking out her books the next time I am in our local book store.
I’m sorry to hear about your loss Glenda.
I will have to check this devotional out. It sounds like it would be a great encouragement.
Heather M recently posted…How to Freeze Pizza Dough
Looks like a great devotional will have to check it out.
Jess recently posted…How to do Initial Research for your New Business Idea
I love the title! It sounds like a wonderful devotional, especially for those days when you feel like you need God the most.
Karen W. recently posted…What should I make?
Thanks for the book recommendation!
Sounds like a great book with great content! Thank you for sharing it with us! The points you gave are very important to help us in life.
Michal recently posted…How to Celebrate Your Anniversary on a Budget?
Awesome! I’m constantly seeking book and devotion recommendations – I’ve never read anything by Holly Gerth but will certainly need to check her out!
Morgan recently posted…Mexican Progressive Dinner: Frozen Margarita Pie
I’ve never heard of this author, but she sounds great! I will definitely check her out – thanks for sharing.
Pam recently posted…Live a Little Greener
“Letting someone meet your needs is part of letting them love you.”
I always enjoy inspiration and tips on strengthening my marriage (and other relationships). This is my new favorite quote on love because it shows yet another way to view love. <3
Monica recently posted…Precious, Sleeping Babies at 1:00AM
I had never thought of love in that way before either Monica.
Ok first of all, I had never heard of Holley Gerth until one day I pinned a quote that was attributed to her. The quote spoke to me so much that when I later created my blog, I have her quote on the top of the front page! This is wonderful to learn who she is and what she’s about! As a Christian, I’m thrilled that I’ve been using another Believer’s quote.
Second, your post is very touching and my heart deeply hurts for the loss of your daughter. I’m so glad you have the strength of your faith and the works of others to minister to you. Although I’ve not experienced that specific loss, I have other deeply painful ones that have been hard to get past. It was hard for me to understand that I could still have joy in life. I appreciate this quote that you provided: “Yet through the years I’ve come to understand that my joy brings my heavenly Father joy too.” She describes it like a mother delighting in her child.
Thank you for sharing.
Debbie Thompson recently posted…8 Great Ways to Stay Motivated
Wow! you had the same quote! Thank you for your kind words Debbie.
There is no predicting what hard days might come to us during life. I am so sorry that one of yours involved the loss of your daughter. It is so hard to comprehend such a loss and when we can find comfort and support in the words of others it can bring a hope and stillness we did not know before. Heartfelt wishes for the future.
Caroline recently posted…A Heart Attack at 37 – The morning after the night before
Thank you Caroline for your kind words and words of wisdom.
What a great read…I think after having our fourth baby in five years, I’m finally able ask for help, I love what you quoted that allowing our friends and family to help is “giving them a chance to love you”…of course they want to help, we’d want to help them if they needed us 🙂 not easy but such a valuable lesson…great encouragement, thank you!
Dawn recently posted…Rock this Mother’s Day: What your mom REALLY wants for a gift!
You’re right Dawn it is hard to do. Thanks for the comment.
Lovely reminder. Ooh love the Holley Gerth quote. Pinning that.
Julie S. recently posted…March is #ReadAloud Month
Thanks for the recommendation. I love devotional books and I hadn’t heard of this one before.
I will be looking for it soon.
Debra
http://www.ncborn.com/
Thanks for recommending this book. It sounds like some good advice.
Jeryl M. recently posted…Funny Friday – Martin Brodeur
I have such a hard time letting people help me and even letting them in to love me. I love devotionals like this and will have to go check this one out. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Angela McKinney recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #28
This sounds like a wonderful devotional–we can all use some encouragement each day. Thanks for your review!
Anne Campbell recently posted…Hearts for Home Blog Hop, March 12, 2015
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like a book I should check out. I don’t always ask for help when I should but I love helping out others when they let me.
Katrina recently posted…Goodbye Water Bottles
I have never heard about this author, but after reading your post I am very curious. What a great idea for our new Book club! Thank you.
Lana recently posted…How I Trim Asparagus.
Inspiring! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for posting!
Jebbica recently posted…Days 414-416: No More Groceries!
I never heard of the author Holley Gerth but her books sound inspirational. The older I get I am more aware of the things that are really important in life. Thank you for the information.
Asking for help is one the hardest things I struggle with. Your post and book review makes me think of how I can push myself to be better and to ask.
Trina recently posted…Why Do Dogs Whine, Besides Driving You Crazy?
I LOVE reading, so I’m always glad to get another book recommendation — plus, I’ve definitely read one of Holly Gerth’s books before! She’s great!
Grady recently posted…Wedding Planning Woes
I love the reminder of asking a friend to meet your needs. I’m bad at this, but I think there have been times where friends have found out I was going through something and been very hurt because they didn’t know. It does allow them to love you!
Cortney Hogan recently posted…Generation Change Week 4
What a wonderful book! I have never heard of her but I will have to check it out. This was the perfect posting for me this afternoon. What an inspiration! Going to check out this book right now….thanks 🙂
Betty Bite recently posted…Casio OmniSync STB1000: Wearable Technology
I have heard good things about Holley Gerth but never read anything by her yet. Thank you for the review!
Bonnie recently posted…From Around Blog Land
I love finding new devotionals to read so I will hVe to look into these!
I’ve never heard of this book, or the author, Holley Gerth, but I adore the title! I love reading, but I’m afraid this book wouldn’t be my cup of tea. However, it sounds like a wonderful read for those who enjoy devotional books. Or perhaps haven’t read a devotional book in the past but could really use it at the point they’re at in life. Thank you for sharing your review!
Lalia @ Found Frolicking recently posted…I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Looks like the kind of book I need right now. Thanks!
Lori Hart recently posted…Tickle My Tastebuds #44 featuring Creative & Delicious Desserts
I am going to put this on my list of books to buy. It sounds like something I really need. I suck at asking for help but oddly was just giving my sister-in-law the “let others feel good to help you” speech last week. lol
Yes, it does seem to be easier to tell others they should let people help them, but so hard to do ourselves!
Thanks for your review. Sounds like a very uplifting book, something we all need more of!
debbie recently posted…How to drink more water
This reminds me of an insight which was once given to me by a professor about the parable of the good samaratin. The way it’s worded in the Bible the samaratin is the neighbor, right? But Jesus isn’t saying be a good neighbor and help others as the samaratin does (though obviously He does teach us to help others) but instead he’s telling us to love our neighbor and using the samaratin as the neighbor. That is that we should accept help even from those we may even be prejudiced against or view as less than, as Jews in those days did Samaratins. It was a dimension I hadn’t seen before. Your comments about accepting help reminded me of this.
Pamela M. M. Berkeley recently posted…Together
I never thought of it like that. Thanks for the insight!
I’ve never been fond of devotional books since they seem to talk at you and not with you, but I like the personal aspect of this book and how it makes you act upon what you’ve read. Thanks for sharing!
Marissa recently posted…Easy Homemade Shamrock Shake Recipe for St. Patrick’s Day
I have always wanted to read a book by her…will have to check this one out! I need a good devotional! Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for sharing! This sounds like an inspiring devotional!
Dawn @ Reveal Natural Health recently posted…Wordless Wednesday – Gandhi on Health
I am the same way. I have a hard time asking for help ALWAYS. I do love to give help to others though. I need to remember that so that I can be a blessing to others when I need help. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for the book recommendation. I also have a hard time asking for help from others. It takes all of my courage to ask for it, even when people reassure me that it’s okay to ask for help.
Nikki Renee recently posted…Wrong Number Week
I’m glad you were encouraged!
This sounds like s really nice devotional book. I’ve never thought of my experiencing joy in that way, that God would feel joy when I do. Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to look for the book.
Marie recently posted…Quinoa Stuffed Baked Apples
Sounds like a great book. Though I am not a devotional reader, I do enjoy hearing what others enjoy. The quotes you highlighted are lovely.
Andrea Kruse recently posted…How to Save Some Green for your Family with Lowest Priced Unlimited Plans
First, thank you for linking this up to my Monthly Milestones link-up on Fibro, Fit and Fab! Second, this sounds like a great book. I will definitely have to check it out some time soon. 🙂
Julie Moore recently posted…Monthly Milestones 2015 {5}