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14 reviews for:
Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul
Sarah Mae
3.62 AVERAGE
14 reviews for:
Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul
Sarah Mae
3.62 AVERAGE
I took two months or so longer at reading this than I should have, and I didn't fulfill all the cleaning assignments, but I gathered helpful tips, plugged along at my little jobs, and tackled my monster of a closet once or twice.
I like the focus on grace, though at times it seemed almost too lax. It is a book geared toward mothers, with assignments for kids, so that's not currently applicable to me, but I like that concept, and have seen it help in my sister's family. I also liked that it had Bible reading assignments, though I would have appreciated a little more explanation and depth. Overall I really liked the book, in that it gives things to shoot for, but not so strictly that it overwhelms.
Thanks to Tyndale blog network for allowing me this book to review! My opinions are freely my own.
I like the focus on grace, though at times it seemed almost too lax. It is a book geared toward mothers, with assignments for kids, so that's not currently applicable to me, but I like that concept, and have seen it help in my sister's family. I also liked that it had Bible reading assignments, though I would have appreciated a little more explanation and depth. Overall I really liked the book, in that it gives things to shoot for, but not so strictly that it overwhelms.
Thanks to Tyndale blog network for allowing me this book to review! My opinions are freely my own.
This is a thirty-one-day cleaning devotional is based on the Biblical story of sisters, Mary and Martha. In case you aren't familiar with this reference, Jesus comes to visit this family and while he is sitting in their "living room" chatting, Martha is busy cooking and cleaning, getting the house presentable while Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, socializing. So the premise of this book is learning the delicate balance between living a full life and keeping a warm and comforting home.
The book is split up into thirty-one chapters, each devoted to a day. There is a Scripture passage to read and reflect on along with some questions to journal your thoughts or answers to. This is the "Mary" part of the devotional. Then there is the "Martha" part - little cleaning tasks to help you get your home in a presentable form and make it more comfortable for your family and guests. These are paired up with a story from the author where she goes a little more in-depth in the Scripture passage for that day and gives other verses that also help in your study.
This book is such a great idea because there are many women who are busy with kids and work and life and church and feel like they have no time to tackle chores around the house. Throughout the book, you learn about grace and how to be easy on yourself when life happens and you can't get the laundry folded as soon as it comes out of the dryer. I would recommend this for any woman who is looking for a realistic faith-based devotional that incorporates practical ideas for keeping a comfortable home.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
The book is split up into thirty-one chapters, each devoted to a day. There is a Scripture passage to read and reflect on along with some questions to journal your thoughts or answers to. This is the "Mary" part of the devotional. Then there is the "Martha" part - little cleaning tasks to help you get your home in a presentable form and make it more comfortable for your family and guests. These are paired up with a story from the author where she goes a little more in-depth in the Scripture passage for that day and gives other verses that also help in your study.
This book is such a great idea because there are many women who are busy with kids and work and life and church and feel like they have no time to tackle chores around the house. Throughout the book, you learn about grace and how to be easy on yourself when life happens and you can't get the laundry folded as soon as it comes out of the dryer. I would recommend this for any woman who is looking for a realistic faith-based devotional that incorporates practical ideas for keeping a comfortable home.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
I love how it breaks things down into spiritual and practical suggestions.
This was so much better and more down-to-earth than I thought it would be. The scriptures and ideas were encouraging. She included a healthy balance of ways to find inner peace as well as completely practical tips for a thorough cleaning routine, breaking down the whole house into manageable tasks.
I loved how this book broke down cleaning the entire house into bite sized pieces and combined it with delving deeper in your relationship with Jesus.
Sarah Mae might not be the best homemaker in the world, but her heart is in the right place. In Having a Martha Home the Mary Way, she shares her struggles with laundry, dust, and feelings of inadequacy as she journeys towards mastering the gentle art of homemaking. For her, it isn’t about sparkling floors, but rather about showing her family love and attention.
This is most definitely a book for Christian women. The focus is on getting both your spiritual and physical home in order. Each day includes exercises, first those from the Mary point of view (Biblical reading and related journaling questions) followed by Martha-related cleaning tasks. She doesn’t provide you a daily cleaning schedule, nor is this a Martha Stewart-like hints and tips book. It is a crash course in figuring out your spiritual priorities and cleaning in your home.
I think this is a great book to take on as a yearly project. Pick 31 days once or twice and year and work through it—cleaning your closets and your heart as you go. Sarah Mae is encouraging, friendly, and very relatable, and Having a Martha Home is her gift to all of us who want to bring peace to our home while conquering the laundry.
This is most definitely a book for Christian women. The focus is on getting both your spiritual and physical home in order. Each day includes exercises, first those from the Mary point of view (Biblical reading and related journaling questions) followed by Martha-related cleaning tasks. She doesn’t provide you a daily cleaning schedule, nor is this a Martha Stewart-like hints and tips book. It is a crash course in figuring out your spiritual priorities and cleaning in your home.
I think this is a great book to take on as a yearly project. Pick 31 days once or twice and year and work through it—cleaning your closets and your heart as you go. Sarah Mae is encouraging, friendly, and very relatable, and Having a Martha Home is her gift to all of us who want to bring peace to our home while conquering the laundry.
Full review on Faithfully Bookish 7/6/16 http://www.faithfullybookish.com
This book has encouraged me AND given me practical tools to make our house a home. One quote especially speaks to my heart, “If we are in Christ, then everything we do not only has value here on earth, but also has value for eternity.”
The fact that I do the same thing, day after day after day, and never feel like I get anywhere had left me discouraged and apathetic. So the reassurance that those mundane tasks have value just because I am doing them in obedience to God’s will for my life… HUGE! The shift in my spirit and mindset has spurred the motivation that I thought had been beaten out of me for good.
I knew my house needed to be cleaned and decluttered but I had no idea how much I needed the same thing in my spiritual life.
I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
This book has encouraged me AND given me practical tools to make our house a home. One quote especially speaks to my heart, “If we are in Christ, then everything we do not only has value here on earth, but also has value for eternity.”
The fact that I do the same thing, day after day after day, and never feel like I get anywhere had left me discouraged and apathetic. So the reassurance that those mundane tasks have value just because I am doing them in obedience to God’s will for my life… HUGE! The shift in my spirit and mindset has spurred the motivation that I thought had been beaten out of me for good.
I knew my house needed to be cleaned and decluttered but I had no idea how much I needed the same thing in my spiritual life.
I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is a book for those who do not have natural Martha Stewart tendencies. If you love to organize but never manage to follow through, if the never-ending chores of the household wear you down until you have no desire or time to spend with God, if acts of service is your love language, if you want to feel more balanced between the practical and the spiritual... this is the book for you.
Filled with encouraging words from another woman struggling to remember that a messy home does not define who she is, and yet who knows that physical chaos brings emotional stress, this is a way to bring order into your home, peace into your life, and to draw near to God. (Even better, it does it without spending you 40 emails every day when you're at work and can't shine your sink. I know I'm not the only one who failed FlyLady.) Sarah Mae's goal is to have a welcoming home, not one that's perfectly decorated and perfectly clean like a showroom (though we all wish we had one at some point).
Part cleaning inspiration and part Bible study, you might wonder how it all fits together, but it blends wonderfully. There are cleaning prompts Monday through Friday, Saturday can be a bigger project or catch-up day, and Sunday is there for more rest. After each day's reading - a page or two of encouraging reflection - there is a Mary Challenge and a Martha Challenge.
The Mary Challenge encourages you to sit quietly, pondering the Word and examining your heart and your thoughts for the "why" and the "how", going beyond the normal requirements of a short devotional (yes, it's meant to challenge you!) but without taking too much time from your day. The Martha Challenge encourages you to get your kids involved (even if you have to pay them sometimes) and to get started cleaning. Some tasks might take only 20-30 minutes, while others might take an hour or more (if you've let them slide too long... oops) but there's no pressure to finish. The message is often restated: Do what you can, because anything is better than nothing. And set realistic goals that work for your style, not using your best friend's goals, or some you read in a magazine.
I'm eagerly awaiting the chance to use this book in a small group. I think even mothers who work outside the home could easily do 2 "days" a week, giving us all plenty of time to encourage each other, offer feedback and discuss both the Mary and Martha aspects. There's only one way to find out!
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is an expanded version of the earlier publication, so if you last looked at it a few years ago, take another look!
Filled with encouraging words from another woman struggling to remember that a messy home does not define who she is, and yet who knows that physical chaos brings emotional stress, this is a way to bring order into your home, peace into your life, and to draw near to God. (Even better, it does it without spending you 40 emails every day when you're at work and can't shine your sink. I know I'm not the only one who failed FlyLady.) Sarah Mae's goal is to have a welcoming home, not one that's perfectly decorated and perfectly clean like a showroom (though we all wish we had one at some point).
Part cleaning inspiration and part Bible study, you might wonder how it all fits together, but it blends wonderfully. There are cleaning prompts Monday through Friday, Saturday can be a bigger project or catch-up day, and Sunday is there for more rest. After each day's reading - a page or two of encouraging reflection - there is a Mary Challenge and a Martha Challenge.
The Mary Challenge encourages you to sit quietly, pondering the Word and examining your heart and your thoughts for the "why" and the "how", going beyond the normal requirements of a short devotional (yes, it's meant to challenge you!) but without taking too much time from your day. The Martha Challenge encourages you to get your kids involved (even if you have to pay them sometimes) and to get started cleaning. Some tasks might take only 20-30 minutes, while others might take an hour or more (if you've let them slide too long... oops) but there's no pressure to finish. The message is often restated: Do what you can, because anything is better than nothing. And set realistic goals that work for your style, not using your best friend's goals, or some you read in a magazine.
I'm eagerly awaiting the chance to use this book in a small group. I think even mothers who work outside the home could easily do 2 "days" a week, giving us all plenty of time to encourage each other, offer feedback and discuss both the Mary and Martha aspects. There's only one way to find out!
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is an expanded version of the earlier publication, so if you last looked at it a few years ago, take another look!
It says something when you're in tears after the first few pages.
I adore Sarah Mae's writing. I read the ebook of this years ago and jumped at the chance to be on the launch team for the updated version. It didn't disappoint. As a mama of 4 who struggles with homemaking, this book didn't make me feel condemned-but energized and inspired. I love that each day has a "Mary & Martha" task to do. It's incredibly simple to follow, easy to stick with, and worth every word.
I know without a doubt this will bless every woman that reads this. It's just that good. I'd recommend reading the entire thing through, THEN going through each day one by one.
This would make a beautiful gift, especially for a bridal shower! So much encouragement fills these pages. Pass it on.
*I received this in exchange for a honest review*
I adore Sarah Mae's writing. I read the ebook of this years ago and jumped at the chance to be on the launch team for the updated version. It didn't disappoint. As a mama of 4 who struggles with homemaking, this book didn't make me feel condemned-but energized and inspired. I love that each day has a "Mary & Martha" task to do. It's incredibly simple to follow, easy to stick with, and worth every word.
I know without a doubt this will bless every woman that reads this. It's just that good. I'd recommend reading the entire thing through, THEN going through each day one by one.
This would make a beautiful gift, especially for a bridal shower! So much encouragement fills these pages. Pass it on.
*I received this in exchange for a honest review*
One of the things I believe we all crave is the ability to get it all done, and done well. We struggle with who we are based solely on how well we maintain our homes, and our lives. Sarah Mae's book opens the door to finally having the answer to how to have a home that is maintained, but more importantly how to have a soul that is maintained first. She openly shares her struggle with maintaining her home and breaks down the cleaning into manageable "Martha Challenges" spread over 31 days. Even more importantly she gives a "Mary Challenge" every day too, that allows you to begin to understand who you truly need to be, and why doing it all and finding your worth in doing it all, will never satisfy your soul. This book is PERFECT for those seeking to get their homes in order, or for those with organized homes who just need to have a fresh perspective on all they are doing. It's an easy read, with small chapters so you won't feel overwhelmed with how much time each day takes to read. The challenges aren't time consuming either, but be ready to have your life changed! It is that powerful!