Book Review-Your Story Matters by Emra Smith

               
"God takes your story, which is composed of all you have experienced, wrapped in your personality, skills and the person you are, and molds you to become more than you can dream of."writes Emra Smith, the author of this 73 paged book Your Story Matters.

An easy to read paperback that can be slipped into your purse to be read at your lunch break or on travels.

 In the first chapter, the author tells her personal story that is intertwined with pain caused by parental abandonment in childhood, her unfulfilled expectations in marriage leading to relationship outside marriage, divorce followed by loneliness and how God intervened and turned her life around.

In the next eight short chapters, which read more like a devotional, the author encourages the readers to see the importance of everyday life, and pay attention to the little stories, events and experiences they normally overlook.

The title of the book speaks for itself what the author strongly believes and what she wants to convey through this book. Her message can be summarized as follows;
However big or small, challenging or mundane our stories may be, every one's story does matter.. Mindful sharing of  one's story during a dark time helps in the healing process,
Cease to be busy; rest in God and spend more time with Him.
Pause.Ponder.Leave all the unanswered questions behind.
Be more. Live more. Love more.

At the end of the book, helpful scriptures and books for reading are provided.

My thoughts:
A well written, inspirational book.
I liked the bold step Emra Smith took in revealing  her part in the relationship outside her marriage and making herself vulnerable in order to help those who had made bad choices and living with guilt and regret.
If not watchful, even a Christian with strong faith could give into temptation and suffer the repercussions, her story reveals.
 By telling about how God had filled her void and turned her life around for greater purpose, the author brings comfort and hope to such audience through this book.

I would have preferred if the author had added more anecdotes (small stories) and thereby added more pages to the book and weight to her story..
Definitely, it is a helpful book for personal growth and Christian living.

Emra Smith is an inspirational speaker, author of the book, Teatime Stories books and Life Coach.
Find her at EmraSmith.com

I received a complimentary review copy of this book through Bookcrash, in exchange for an honest review.