As my kids get older, and I get involved with more and more things (both mine and theirs), I do feel as if I am juggling several balls in the air at all times. We’re pretty busy. And honestly, I don’t think that we are that over-scheduled. Most are good things: church activities, friends, helping lead a Bible study, stuff that has to be done like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, carpooling, and caring for my grandmother. I picked up 500 Hats of a Modern-Day Woman: Strength for Today’s Demanding Roles by Joyce K. Ellis hoping that it would give me some encouragement and maybe some insight.
I’ve been serving in church for over 20 years. I have a tween and a teen. I’m more of a Titus woman than a blushing bride, so I don’t know that I got much new insight from Ellis. That said, I think it would be an excellent gift for a newlywed or any woman heading into a new stage of life (a more demanding job, having a child, caring for an elderly parent etc).
I most certainly felt encouraged. When I looked back over the notes I marked on my e-galley, I actually did find a fair bit of insight for me. Perhaps my pride had already shut my mind down, since I felt like they were just reminders to me, but repetition is critical in changing a habit or mindset. There are things one can never hear too often, like the fact that we have to learn to manage our energy levels, we should choose people over projects, tips for giving your best at work whether it’s outside or inside the home, and reminders about putting others above ourselves.
Ellis has a great way of using scriptural truth to drive her point or encouragement home. That made her words even more powerful.
One issue of taking a verse out of context bothered me a bit. I liked the point that she made about “saying no,” but quoting the verse about Jesus giving us permission to say no because He said, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no,” didn’t ring true. He was talking about speaking honestly and not swearing an oath, not saying no so we don’t get overwhelmed.
There were also a few trite truisms like “The human race would die out if men had to have the babies”, and “I enjoy being a girl, so let’s get pretty”, but even if I rolled my eyes on those, they did work to establish her friendly tone, which made the book easy to read. True modern-day women, those in their 20’s and early 30’s, will find some information dated, like the mention of babysitting co-ops. I know that’s something that my mom did, but the moms I know now don’t roll that way (not that I’m saying I don’t agree with the idea of them getting help with their kids, but they don’t seem to do it).
There are questions at the end of each chapter with some scripture you can look up. This would be a great book to study with new Christians or perhaps as an outreach to neighbors or playschool moms, because I think we all agree that we wear a lot of hats.
About the book and GIVEAWAY links
In Joyce K. Ellis‘ The 500 Hats of a Modern-Day Woman you’ll find strength, purpose, and perspective to balance your many roles—and gain insight into the roles of women around you.
Want a helper for your modern-day journey? Enter to win a Kindle Fire in Joyce’s “500 Hats” giveaway!
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The 500 Hats of a Modern-Day Woman by Joyce K. Ellis
- A Modern-Day woman kit (T-shirt, hat, and tote)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 30th. Winner will be announced April 1st on the Litfuse blog.
