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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Help, I’m Drowning by Sally Clarkson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Help, I’m Drowning Author: Sally Clarkson Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Release Date: September 14, 2021 Genre: Christian Women’s Spiritual Growth
Life is filled with unexpected storms that take you by surprise.
In these storms of life, it’s easy to feel helpless, exhausted, afraid . . . and alone. We can feel like victims to circumstances out of our control.
Beloved author Sally Clarkson understands deeply. Through almost seven decades of life, she has found herself tossed about in overwhelming life storms through many different seasons.
In Help, I’m Drowning, Sally identifies the challenges that took her by surprise and then leads you to the wisdom she gathered from her experiences. Finding grace to walk through the darkness and hope to make it through will give you the comfort and encouragement you need in knowing you are not alone. Though there are no easy, formulaic answers that apply to every situation, Sally leads us to the One who is with us and will see us through.
Sally found the anchors that held her steady in the midst of every storm, and she wants to help you find your anchors too. She invites you into her own personal story of anchoring well, and then–with honesty, grit, and her trademark wisdom–she will help you heal and move forward with courage and strength.
Chapter 8: Unexpected Challenges with Our Children from Help, I’m Drowning by Sally Clarkson, p. 162, 240 words (unedited)
I assumed that when I became a wife and mother, I would automatically be mature, healthy, loving, and successful at these relationships. I did not understand the demands and weight of being a mother at all. Then conflict in my own heart and life and the stress of living with so many needs and so many demands showed me my selfishness in new ways. I was so disappointed in myself when I lost patience, acted in an unloving way, even resented my children. But I longed for mercy. I wanted to be understood. I wanted someone to recognize that I had a heart to be good at these relationships, but sometimes I just couldn’t. I meant to be patient, giving, and loving, but I had my limits.
I learned that my children had all these same limits. It was through my children and the demands of everyday life that I learned the need for gentleness. Where does a woman find the ability to be gentle, to show mercy and understanding and compassion? I believe it comes as she understands that her heart is selfish, prone to making bad choices, limited in patience, and only just beginning to understand what love requires. Mamas long for grace and a gentle, sympathetic response from others in their lives. A mother learns and understands that she herself is fragile and needy. She then realizes that her children, too, have the same issues and needs.
Excerpt from Help, I’m Drowning by Sally Clarkson provided by Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Copyright Sept. 3, 2021. Used by permission.
My Thoughts on the Book
“Help, I’m Drowning” is a book that I wish I would have read in High School. It took me over two decades, lots of trials and tears, and complete isolation and dependancy on Christ to realize many of the gems that were presented in this book. It’s packed with so many priceless, wonderful treasures!
When someone is in the middle of the darkest dark of their lives, when things have hit rock bottom and they can’t find the light … quotes like “it’s always darkest before the dawn” are worthless. Have you ever been in that kind of darkness? I have… and it’s really dark! It’s isolating, hard, and it definitely doesn’t feel like the dawn is right around the corner!! It’s sometimes hard to remember that God still cares for you when you are in complete despair. This is why I love this book! The author comes to you like the sweetest of friends, just what you need during times like that … just to sit with you in the dark. Just like Jesus. During your shortest of days, and the longest of nights you need a friend to keep you company right where you are (in the dark) with a small flicker of light! This book is just that … light in the darkness. It provides encouragement that will meet you right where you are in a way that is so relatable! As you read the words you will find yourself rising above depression and difficulty – despair and hopelessness and into the Gods promises and biblical truths. Right where faithfulness, hope, and grace is found.
This book definitely shows how Christians should combine salt and honey to encourage and provide a healing balm for hurting friends. It’s definitely a book you’ll want to keep on your book shelf (medicine cabinet) as a quick reminder of the Lord’s goodness & faithfulness – when you’re facing the storms of loneliness, difficult seasons, disappointments, relational hurts, fear, and brokenness of life. It’s not a matter of if, but when .. and this book is packed with gems that will remind you that EVEN IF it’s hard we can hold onto the promises of God when we feel down and broken. This is why we need others to hold us up when we are unable. Someone to point us to the source of HOPE in our storms – to reflect on His Goodness and help us draw near to Him.
I highly recommend this book (especially for baby Christians), as it will help build a solid foundation of biblical truths that will help you manage the rough seas of life. Having these promises and truths written on your hearts will keep you anchored when the enemy wants to capsize your boat – and faith. When you’re being tossed around during a storm, this is definitely a book you’ll want on your bookshelf. When things get dark and hopeless, it will definitely lighten the darkest of times – and will help the reader reach safe harbor.
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mind, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. if anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each persons work. if what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.
1 corinthians 3:11-15
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion
Sally Clarkson is the beloved author of many bestselling books, including Awaking Wonder, Own Your Life, The Lifegiving Home with her daughter Sarah, Desperate with Sarah Mae, and Different with her son Nathan. As a mother of four, she has inspired thousands of women through Whole Heart Ministries. She advocates relentlessly for the power of motherhood, the foundational importance of family, and the influence of home through her Mom Heart conferences, speaking to audiences on several continents. Mentoring women to understand how to love God in a more personal way and how to live a satisfying Christian life are threaded through her messages. Sally’s podcast, At Home with Sally Clarkson and Friends, has more than 14 million downloads.
(1) winner will receive a four-book prize including Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson, The Happy Crab by Layla & Kevin Palmer, Make Their Day by Karen Ehman, and Prevail by Susie Larson!
Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 13, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 20, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
I loved this book also! Wasn’t it wonderful?
Thank you so much for sharing! – JustRead Tours
Awesome! Sounds like a good book!