September 16, 2014

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days - a Book Review


There is this woman... she is amazing, and loving, and just overflows with encouragement, and oozes Jesus in all the best ways. And there is this book that arrived on my doorstep during one of the hardest weeks of Days so far...




I had the honor of briefly meeting Holley Gerth last year at Allume. I had been reading her books and her blog and I was already smitten. She is so full of hope, and yet she is not at all cheesy or fake or head-in-the-sand clueless. No, she has had her own struggles and battles and she is authentic and honest in sharing her own Hard Days.  She is a sister, a life coach, a friend... she is inviting and strong and always offers coffee (and so I love her. That is all.)

Only not really.  That is not all... she is also wise beyond her years and what pours out of her, and into the reader, is Jesus... it is Hope, and help, and faith stirred up. It is a Light shining in the darkness and hers is the voice of a mother who lovingly lifts you up.  She is a releaser and will help you stand up tall in Truth and reach for those God-Sized Dreams that are hidden down deep.

"What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days" arrived in the midst of a difficult week.  I knew it was coming... (the book, not the tough times) but I didn't know how much I would need it until it arrived!  We had some unexpected battles, some heartbreak and uncertainty, we fought off some darkness and despair, and we suddenly lost a friend who, as her family said over and over at her Celebration of Life service yesterday, "graduated" to heaven.  She was ready; we were not. 

Through all of it, I slowly turned the pages of this little book and found hope... found peace... found again the Anchor that we cling to Who steadies our hearts and the One who beckons us to come and walk on the water.


The truth, the stories, the encouragement and hope - I love all of these things that are packed into this little book of 52 meditations based on the book of Psalms. But what I love the most is the invitation at the end of each one, inviting the reader to pray.. and to listen. (And then, of course, to write down what you hear!)

I am a huge encourager of Listening Prayer. In fact last October, I wrote for #31Days on Encountering God and one of the best ways to do that is to not just whisper off a list of requests, but to enter into a conversation with the Lord.  I love how Holley makes it simple and paves the way for conversation on the days when it feels like it's just too much to know where to even start!

Because of the battles that unfolded in our life, I read this book in gulps and swallowed down every page quick like in order to pass it on and share the Hope that is so beautifully held out here.  However, I encourage you to read through it slowly if possible, and let it sink in deep!


It is a great companion book for "You're Going to Be Okay" which I am reading through now, slowly (and loving it, too!)  





* - I am honored that Revell  sent me a copy of 'What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days'  for free for my honest review. I highly recommend both books.

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:



Jennifer Peterson for #NoWordsAreNeeded

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday


Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory

Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart

22 comments :

  1. Anonymous11:50 AM

    Dear friend, I love this and I love Holley! Isn't she just a beautiful soul? For some reason my book got "detoured" in the mail so they are sending me another one and cannot wait to receive it. And what you wrote just gets me more fired up! :)

    Maria {Shoots + Roots}

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    1. Maria, Amen! I am so glad that this little treasure is on its' way to you! I just know you will love it!

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  2. I will have to see if I can get a Kindle additon. I can't wait til Allume this year. ;)

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    1. Meant edition of course. I type to fast sometimes and hit publish too quickly.

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    2. Mary, I am so thrilled that you get to be at Allume! It is an amazing experience... so much more than a Bloggers Conference! I can't wait to hear all about it! Enjoy! (And yes...so glad you are getting this book! I know you will love it!)

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  3. I so need this book! Thank you for sharing!! Love you

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  4. Holley's books, Holley herself, are/is packed full of encouragement! I'm privileged to be next to you at Jennifer's link up this week.

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    1. So thrilled that we are neighbors! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  5. "That is not all... she is also wise beyond her years and what pours out of her, and into the reader, is Jesus... it is Hope, and help, and faith stirred up" - Yes! I completely agree. I just love your review of Holley's Book, Karilee. Your words are always filled with such love - like a big hug off of the web page. In my opinion, that's hard to convey and you do it so beautifully.

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    1. Jennifer... that is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said! I love that... (obviously - I am a hugger inrl!) Thanks so much, my friend!

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  6. This is a beautiful review, Karrilee, and one that truly encourages a prospective reader like me to want to get her hands on a copy! Holley Gerth's words are a balm for weary, wounded and discouraged souls as she dispenses encouragement and grace on her blog and in her books. She is such a gift to the body of Christ and her gently wise words are so soothing. I knew about this book but delayed buying because I had several books on my 'Wish List' for a recent birthday and had to avoid checking who might have bought me something. Now there is no reason to delay, apart from the fact I have already received far more books than I can read in a few months! But I can see that this one will be a must-read very soon. Thank you for this lovely review that speaks well of all that God is saying to you via Holley's words. God bless. :)

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    1. Oh Joy - I so get you on the whole Wish List thing... my wish list, and stack, is ever growing! So glad that this one is going to find it's way to you! You will love it! xoxo

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  7. Thanks for featuring this, Karrilee! It's on my, every growing, wish list! Have a blessed week!

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    1. My Wish List is always growing too! You just can never go wrong with one of Holleys' books though! They are each so full of encouragement and hope... and who doesn't need that from time to time, right? Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. Hi Karrilee ... Don't you love how God sent you this little treasure right in the middle of one of those hard weeks? His timing is immaculate!

    Praise be ...

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    1. Linda... I know by NOW I should not be so surprised, but seriously... His timing is so gracious! Immaculate! Yes! I love that! Praise be, indeed!

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  9. Karrilee, I am so sorry for your loss and your grief and your hard week, friend. This book sounds great...and yes, indeed, Holley does drip love, as do you. Love you, dear Karrilee.

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    1. Thank you my friend... it was unexpected, but His grace covers all. I'll take a comparison to Holley any day of the week, my friend! xoxo

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  10. I'm looking forward to reading this. I too love Listening Prayer, but it is not coming to me at this season and my flesh runs in circles to figure out why. I believe it is so I can learn a new thing. Blessings.

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    1. Ginger, my friend... my sister... my twinnie... I so hear you (but - uh - not so much Him)... I have to remind myself of Listening Prayer and have learned that the Silence is not punishment... it's just hard. And it IS teaching me new things... or reteaching me basic things... good things, that are needed for the journey ahead! Praying for you!

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  11. Karrrilee, I love your heart for slowing and listening! Yes, we miss out on so much if we are doing all the talking. And I love Holley's heart and books! Bless you!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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