Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman

We get caught up in the buzz of life. Could it be that we are missing the kingdom of God present in the smallness of life?

Freeman wants us to pay attention to the small ways that Jesus shows up in the ordinary and the plain, like on a Tuesday. “The deepest need of my soul is Christ,” she writes. “But the problem is, I often forget where to find him.” (17)

I appreciate the premise of the book. So often we think we have to have a big ministry to be effective in God's kingdom. Freeman suggests instead, “learning to lean back into small-moment living rather than trying to keep pace with a fast-moving world.” (35) She encourages us to celebrate Jesus in our simple conversations with friends, the experiences with family, the daily moments.

She recounts a number of her experiences, such as watching neighbors talk on the benches in their cul de sac, going to a water park and watching American Idol, and then shares her lessons from them. The format reminded me of a daily blogger. I had a bit of difficulty appreciating the many rambling stories. She writes in the middle of the book, “Sometimes what I want more than anything is to be fully understood, to be able to explain myself, to have everyone see where I'm coming from and to have it all turn out well.” (183) I think younger readers, say thirty-something, would appreciate that kind of foundation for a book more than older readers such as myself, a senior citizen. I did appreciate her ability to glean a spiritual lesson from each of her experiences, however. I also appreciated her encouragement to live well in ordinary time.

A few questions are given at the end of major sections of the book, making it a possibility for a small women's discipleship group. This book would work well for young people who love to talk about their experiences and how they impact their soul.

Food for thought: “Jesus came to earth to extend a personal invitation for us to enter into his kingdom rather than try to build our own.” (20)

You can follow her blog at www.chattingatthesky.com and you can go to www.simplytuesday.com for videos and other resources.

My rating: 4 stars.

Emily P. Freeman is a writer and speaker, creator of the blog Chatting at the Sky, and co-creator of the membership site Hope*ologie with her family. She is a regular contributor at DaySpring's (in)courage. She and her husband live in Greensboro, North Carolina, with their children. You can find out more at http://emilypfreeman.com/.

Revell, 251 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media with the purpose of an independent and honest review.