I LOVE YOU, MOM! {Book Review & Giveaway}
What if you could find a meaningful greeting card and an excellent gift book all in one item for your mom? Consider this book review of I LOVE YOU, MOM! Plus, we have a fun giveaway with this one.
Mom and Daughter Coauthors
Blythe Daniel is a literary agent and marketer. She has written for Proverbs 31 Ministries, Focus on the Family, Ann Voskamp, and Christian Retailing. The daughter of Dr. Helen McIntosh, she lives in Colorado with her husband and three children. She and McIntosh have written I Love You, Mom! and Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters.
“God chose you to be a mom. That’s a gift you have unwrapped! He has always known the dynamics of your family and how you would play an important role in shaping your child from his or her early years through adulthood.”
Blythe Daniel
Dr. Helen McIntosh (EdD, Counseling Psychology) is a counselor, speaker, educator, and author of Messages to Myself and Eric, Jose & The Peace Rug®. Her work has appeared in Guideposts, ParentLife, and HomeLife magazines. She resides in Georgia with her husband Jim. They have two children and five grandchildren.
“We are a nation drawn to love stories. What better love story is there than the love between a mom and her child? So many mothers and grandmothers long to leave a legacy of love and blessings to future generations. We are influencers way beyond just genetics.”
Helen McIntosh
This book for moms can also be given to a mother-in-law or to someone who has nurtured you like a mom.
The Book: I LOVE YOU, MOM!
Published by Tyndale House in 2022, I LOVE YOU, MOM! Is a uniquely designed hardcover book. Cheery, floral artwork grace the cover and all of the 112 pages.
The book begins with two lined pages for the giver to write a personal note. Following that is a note from the authors.
Twenty-five “word gifts” are presented. Each one focuses on a character quality. Two of my favorites are: “You are a legacy,” and “You are a blessing.” All of the devotions begin with a scripture verse (NLT or NIV) followed by a story by the authors or a biblical story.
At the end of each devotion is a pre-written sentiment from the perspective of a child to a mother based on the word gift mentioned.
Devotions include topics such as being joyful, unforgettable, forgiving, fearless, and much more.
Finally, at the back of the book, there are lined pages for the recipient of the book to write her reflections.
Recommendation and Giveaway of I LOVE YOU, MOM!
This sweet book is written for Christian moms of grown children and for those with children still living in the home. I recommend this book if you’re looking to give your mom something more lasting than a greeting card and more meaningful than a box of candy. Of course, I’m sure most moms would appreciate some chocolate in addition to this delightful book!
The publisher has kindly donated a copy of this beautiful book to give away to one of you. Thank you, Tyndale!
We will randomly draw a winner from this blog’s email subscriber list on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. I’ll mail the book to you, free of charge, and hopefully, you’ll get it in time for Mother’s Day! (U.S. residents only)
If you’d like to get a second entry in the drawing, just tell us in the comments section below one thing you love about your mom.
Congratulations to Megan of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Yay! Your name was selected from the blog subscriber list as the winner of this book! Be looking for an email from me.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications
Sally focuses on the power of story, history, and His Story to tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on various social media sites. But, if she’s not hanging out with family and friends, or engaging in an American history class, you’ll most often find her at SallyMatheny.com or Pinterest.
3 Comments
J.D. Wininger
While I wish not to be a candidate for your precious giveaway, as my mom awaits me on heaven’s shores Ms. Sally, I can’t pass up an opportunity to tell the world about my mama. I met the woman God chose to be my mama at 14 years of age. What I cherish most about her was not the excessive love she shared with her family, which I can assure you was much more than we boys (at least) often deserved, but the depth of love she had for God. While my dad taught me a great many things, I credit Mrs. Theresa Marcella Adams (nee LeGere) for teaching me, through the way she lived her life, what love in action looks like. It wasn’t what she did that others could see that taught me the most. She worked hard both within and outside our home. She lovingly card for her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends, and she taught me to greet the world with smile “because we never know where or when we’ll entertain an angel.” Her most memorable example of modeling extravagent love came in those quiet pre-dawn hours when no one else was up. That’s when mama would quietly leave the comfort of a her warm bed and make her way into her favorite rocker and flip on the dim lamp beside it. There, when the rest of the house was sleeping, is where I discovered the source for her bounless energy and endless love. I shall always remember her softly reading God’s Word aloud to herself. It was as though she was speaking it over her household and family. Her raspy voice ringed with passion. Yet, it was her tear-soaked prayers that moved this one young man the most. As she prayed over finances, business things, her husband, each child, friends and other loved ones, and herself always last, I discovered the love relationship she had with God. Not understanding it until years later, my mama taught me in those still-formative years what it meant to seek His face each day. She carried on conversations with God as if He was sitting in the chair next to her. To the point that I would hear her agreeing with Him on things. Prayer, for mom, was truly a conversation. In the still of mornings to this day, I sometimes awaken to the voice of my mom reading and praying, when she thought no one else but God was listening. Her lessons of love are hidden there in the recesses of my memory, but her lessons of love and devotion to family and God are written boldly on my heart. Thank you so much for giving me a reason to bask in her love as I penned these words. I wish I were a better writer to give them the lasting tribute they deserve. God’s blessings Ms. Sally, and I know that whoever wins Ms. Blythe’s book is going to be so blessed.
Sally Matheny
J.D., thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony about your mother’s love for God and for her family. Sometimes we think “no one else but God [is] listening” or watching us serve, but often someone else is soaking it in. God brought you and your mama together in an extraordinary way. I’m glad you took the time to write these inspiring words.
Kathy
This looks like a wonderful book for moms. Thanks for reviewing it, Sally. I wish it had been available before my mother died.