When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, The Loves of King Solomon, and Daughters of the Promised Land.  Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.  Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

Only God can heal our hearts.

Life is full of twists and turns.  Relationships falter, careers fizzle, health fades.  We may be faced with choices we never wanted to make or have situations pushed upon us we never expected.  Yet in all of it, God is at our side - even when He feels far away.
Drawing on her extensive research into women of the Old Testament, novelist Jill Eileen Smith turns her pen to what we can learn about trusting God from women like Eve, Noah's wife, Sarai, Hagar, Lot's wife, Rebekah, Rachel, and more. You'll discover what these ancient women did right - and what they did wrong - when faced with dashed expectations and deferred dreams.  And you'll come away with the confidence that God loves you and is forming you through your trials into the woman He longs for you to be.

My Thoughts:
I've been reading Smith's biblical fiction books for several years and so appreciate her writing gift.  I've also followed her on Facebook for some time and am inspired by the things she shares there as well.  When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams is Smith's first non-fiction book.  And it is apparent Smith has not only done her research but wrestled with many of the spiritual truths she shares in the book.  
The depth of spiritual truth and challenge Smith presents readers is a treasure.  The chapters are organized in an easily digestible manner.  Smith begins with an "If I were ___" section, moves through some devotional thoughts to an "Imagine With Me" section and ends each chapter with "Ponder This" and "Taking it Further".  I especially appreciated the "Ponder This" section and found it to be a great journaling prompt.  In "Taking it Further", Smith poses some great questions that motivate a deeper study of each biblical character presented.
The book could be read devotionally, as a character study, or would be a great small group study resource.  

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Be blessed,
Jennifer