Book Review: Nurture by Lisa Bevere

I have to admit I cheated a bit with this book. I started it earlier this month before the Fall Into Reading Challenge started. But I knew I wouldn't get it done beforehand, so I added it to my list!

I really like Lisa Bevere. She's a down to earth writer, who inspires me to live His purpose for me more fully. And Nurture was no exception.

The definition of nurture is "1. To give tender care and protection. 2. To encourage, grow, develop, thrive, and be successful." The tag line of the book is "give and get what you need to flourish".

I have to admit that I originally bought the book thinking it would just be about nurturing relationships. Since really getting serious about my quiet-time with God last month, I have had a burning desire to nurture, to give of myself for the benefit of others, to benefit His Kingdom. But this book is so much more.

Lisa begins by outlining the different relationships we as women experience with one another: mother, daughter, sister, and friend. In these relationships she defines how we nurture one another, what each role's purpose is, and how we can strengthen these relationships. She also laments the current climate of of our relationships with one another, how too often we as women act out of jealousy or envy, malice or spite, and hinder the very things that God has set out for us as women to do.

As women, our callings are unique. We can definitely serve in the same roles as men, but we do so with a different heart. Bevere states that "men plan wars. Women plan weddings. " God uses us differently because we were made differently. But that does not in any way trivialize what we are called to do.

The end of the book encourages the daughters of God, through our nurturing relationships, to be bold and take action for God's Kingdom. To show compassion, care, and protection on an even larger scale than we may be used to.

I think this quote of Lisa's from the sleeve of the book sums it up well:

"There is such a resonance in my spirit...this is in fact our season to grow, develop, and thrive. Heaven is passionately and purposefully reconnecting with our wounded, war-torn earth and the people who inhabit her. In this season I believe the daughters of God will prove integral agents. Nurture is not expensive - it is expansive. The life of everyone enlarges when it is added. As this happens, we will cease to merely function - we will indeed flourish."

To see what others are reading, check out the Fall Into Reading Book Reviews at Callapidder Days.