Children's book review: What God Says About You

About the book:

When a child feels left out, makes a mistake, or is called a name that hurts their heart, how can they know their true identity? Bestselling author, spoken-word artist, and thought leader on identity Hosanna Wong reveals that you aren’t defined by what you’ve done or what others think—you’re defined by what God says about you.

Hosanna’s powerful message uncovers an important truth for kids today: no one has the power to define you but the One who created you. And God says you are His friend. You are a work of art. You are His child. And you are greatly loved.

A perfect read before bedtime, and during tough times, this picture book

• is for ages 4 to 8,
• highlights scriptures that unpack the life-giving names that God gives us,
• includes whimsical illustrations from Liz Brizzi,
• is inspired by Hosanna Wong’s “I Have a New Name” viral spoken word poem, and
• is the perfect gift for back-to-school celebrations, baptisms, holidays, or seasons of transition.

As kids search for the right words and labels to understand their worth, What God Says About You will strengthen them with affirmations to discover who they really are.

My thoughts:

What a beautiful book... both the words and the illustrations!  This is a message our children need to hear and have repeated throughout the different stages of life.  The world will try to give you labels and make you feel inferior.  Our children need to know the truth of what God says about them.  

This book is one way to give positive messages to your children about their value and worth.  I like that each page has a different name given to God's children.  This is an example:

We all forget truth at times, and this is a great reminder for all of us, not just children, of our value and worth in the eyes of our Creator. 

This is a powerful line of the book to me:  

"But no one has the power to give you your true name except for God, who created you."

This is a wonderful book to add to your personal library and read periodically.  It would make a great one to read at bedtime for your child to have truth in their minds as they are going to sleep.

(I love the cover too and how the words look like they are made with stars.)

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband's help and support while I was away with my Dad.

~ how our oldest (and his wife!) helped with Titus when I had a meeting.  They are the best.  

~ having our DIL carve a pumpkin with Titus.

~ watching Friday night football with our youngest.

~ that my Dad got to have his back surgery this week, I had a safe trip there and back, and for the people that sent me messages saying they were praying for him and me.

~ the beautiful moon!

~ getting two kittens.  They are cute and fun to watch. We want them to be "barn cats" and get rid of mice.

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you're looking forward to? 
for my Dad to be able to have his back surgery 

2. Dictionary.com's word of the year is '6-7'. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it's meaning because apparently I'm old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it's a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it's selection each year is a 'linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by '6-7'. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

Yes I knew it was a thing and I heard it was the "word of the year" so I was expecting this question on the Hodgepodge based on previous years!  My son told me about a time in class when the teacher told them they had a new rule that they couldn't say 6-7.  Then they had a pop quiz and the first answer was 67.  Then it turned out all the answers were 67.  She was tricking them.  

I saw one post that didn't know the meaning but connected it to Deuteronomy 6:7 which says: 

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

 I'm sure there are many words that would have been a better choice but I don't know what it would be.

3. What's a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

The fancy coffees or so many different choices of coffees now.  I have never been a coffee drinker so maybe I'd like some of this fancy stuff if I tried it.  I don't see the need for a coffee shop on every corner!

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 
Yes I like cold tea.  I will drink hot tea if I have a sore throat.  I like it unsweet with ice. I like to get one from Sonic.  I guess I drink it slowly because I put it in the fridge and have the rest the next day.   The boys tell me it is just dirty water.  LOL  
I like raspberry tea and blueberry tea mixed together at a shop called HTeaO.  Mixing it together they call it Berry Blast. I get it occasionally....much less now than I used to because they changed their "happy hour" promotion.  

5. The November Hodgepodge has always included a weekly gratitude question. Here's the question for today-what are three things that make your heart sing? 

words of encouragement from my husband
hugs from the boys
letters in the mail

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My Dad had back surgery Tuesday so I went to be with him. I had started answering this and then didn't publish it.  So I did after I got back! 

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

Heading to the end of November soon!  What are you thankful for this week?

Here is my thankful list:

~  my husband keeping a good attitude during this government shutdown.

~  when I'm able to help our oldest with silent auction items for the upcoming dinner.

~ having our DIL give her input on what we wear for family picture.

~ that our youngest felt better after having strep last weekend and that we got in to see the doctor quickly.

~ making some fun little hand warmers and goat coats.

~  getting to do the little spirit store at the school on Friday mornings of home games during football season.  It is a fundraiser for PTO and fun for the kids.  Tomorrow is our last one.  

~ knowing where my warm clothes and pajamas were at when it got cold this week!  

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree? 

No not at all!

2. What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth? 
Like the favorite dessert question recently on the Hodgepodge,  it's hard to pick a favorite candy. One favorite currently is Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (NOT Reese's Pieces!)

When I was in middle school I remember my favorite was Cookies & Cream Twix.  I don't know if they make it anymore.  Also Heath bars.  I still like those.

I have a definite sweet tooth.  

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'? 
I went to a fabric sale hosted by a local quilter's guild.  It was fun to look and find new fabric for my stash.  

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world? 
It's important to realize you can't do it all on your own.  There are so many needs and important causes that can change the world.  But you also need to realize that you can make a positive change that no one else can to the people in your life, starting with the people in your home.  Be consistent. Be patient. Love your people.  

5. Do you like surprises? 

Yes I do like surprises! 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  
Another week of the government shutdown.  

It is beginning to feel like fall here.  

Have a day of blessings! Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for...

~ the additional projects my husband has gotten done this week during the government shutdown and cooking supper.

~ when I hear the ring tone of our oldest.

~ when we get to talk with our DIL after class.  

~ having some time to relax with our youngest because of an early release day from school.  We are enjoying these.

~ fininshing this puzzle from the library.  It was missing 2 pieces.  Titus picked it out and helped me in the beginning and a little along the way.  It was a challenge! 

~ surprise delivery we had of some lunch snacks, detergent, etc.  We figured out that my Mom sent it.

~ being able to surprise teachers with a Sonic drink from PTO this week and the people at Sonic that got all of those drinks ready for us with labels ready to hand out!

Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for...

~  my husband working on some various projects around the house while he is at home during the shutdown.  He's getting several things marked off the "to do list."

~ getting to help our oldest get donation items for the silent auction for the benefit dinner coming up in January.

~ our DIL sharing her tater tot casserole with us.  

~ when our youngest makes me a snack!

~ the sweet offers of help we've received during the shutdown. I said this last week, but there were others this week.  (And we are doing okay!)

~ that our a/c works after finding an issue with it last weekend.  

~ pretty morning clouds with the sunrise and evening clouds with the sunset.  

Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany