Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sand to Pearls *book review*



Do you wish that you had a blueprint for a rich, fulfilling life? Many of us mistakenly think that if we were prettier, smarter, had less obligations or a fulfilling romantic relationship we would, at last, be joyful and content. 
Chasing after false illusions of success can propel us to make unwise and detrimental choices. Often we remain stuck in our uncertain reality because we don’t know how to move forward. Blinded by our insecurity, we forget that God has the potential and power to intervene and guide us toward wiser, fulfilling choices for our future.
International speaker and author of Beauty Unleashed, Heidi McLaughlin shares from her personal discoveries about how God can turn resentment into freedom, regrets into rejoicing, and shame into radiance. If God can take a tine, insignificant grain of sand and turn it into a unique, gorgeous pearl, then He can certainly turn our insecurities, fears and worst decisions into a magnificent new beginning!

MY REVIEW
Sand to Pearls was a very inspiring book to me. While I loved all the chapters there are a few that really spoke to me.
Chapter 8 Comparing or contentment, I remember as a little girl and a teen I wanted to have the clear complexion and shiny brown,blonde or black hair that my school friends had but no..I was the red headed, freckled, shy girl. It took many years for me to be content with that. This chapter showed me these feelings came from my thoughts and when I look back I totally understand. My thoughts started changing when my brother had a red headed,freckled face, shy daughter and I remember telling her so many times that her freckles were angel kisses and her red hair was special...not many people have it! I now realize I was trying to change her thoughts even before she had them.

Another chapter I really enjoyed was number 6- Broken or Blended, I come from a blended family and now my daughter and stepson are in blended families. I'm so grateful we always had the blended attitude in stead of the broken one. 
In the beginning of this chapter Heidi has the quote-

All happy families are alike, but an unhappy family is unhappy after it's own fashion.
-Leo Tolstoy

I love that quote!
I also love the STOP program at the end of every chapter-

S- Scripture verse- there is a verse for every situation, and for reflection on your current problem

T-Thanksgiving- be thankful for what God has the power to accomplish/has done for you already.

O-Observation- what wisdom is God unleashing for you in the verse above. How can you change your actions to better suit it


P-Prayer-ask God to change your struggles to joy, sand to pearls.

The back of the book states-
 "If God can take a tiny, insignificant grain of sand and turn it into a unique, gorgeous pearl, then He can certainly turn our insecurities, fears and worst decisions into a magnificent new beginning!" 

We are all grains of sand and by allowing God to guide us we can all become a pearl. I highly recommend this book!!




Sand To Pearls is available through Deep River Books for $12.99, and you can learn more about author Heidi McLaughlin (and connect with her!) on Facebook and Twitter.


**I received this book FREE for the purpose of this review via Mama Buzzand no other compensation was received.  All opinions are 100% mine**

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