The following life comes with no promise of smooth roads, clear landmarks, or luxurious destinations. At times, it seems as if a Christian world view actually complicates our lives. Suddenly, we are culpable not only for right actions, but for pure motives as well. In a full life with limited time for friendship or fellowship, the authors of good books have served me well as mentors from afar. Classic authors such as Amy Carmichael and Elisabeth Elliot have enriched my faith, followed by the next generational wave of faithful women including Gail MacDonald, Luci Shaw, and Madeleine L’Engle.
I’m always on the lookout for fresh insights from godly women, and the unwelcome surprises that have characterized 2020 thus far have done nothing to dim the shining quality or the depth of wisdom of books that have been released or under construction during this non-normative season.
When one of God’s women pauses on her fruitful way, takes up a pen, and begins sharing the harvested wisdom from her faithful following, I’m all ears. Maggie Wallem Rowe has experienced ministry on the front lines as a pastor’s wife, a speaker, and now in This Life We Share: 52 Reflections on Journeying Well with God and Others, the stories of a lifetime have been gathered in fifty-two inspirational reflections, paired with scripture, and followed by searching questions.
Rowe is careful to mark both successes and failures along the way, demonstrating that there are fruitful lessons to be had from both. Leadership tidbits include the 3D Concept for soul care (Decide, Delegate, and Delete!) and from her own wrenching experiences with anxiety, she provides hope and help in facing down the bullying power of worry with an offering of positive, expulsive habits.
Women of faith who have been called to write come alongside readers with the quiet enthusiasm of a traveling companion and the faithful wisdom that comes with devotion to the hard work of laying down words, one after the other. Whether married or single, whether a seasoned traveler or just barely beginning on the journey, we really do need each other as we practice resurrection and fulfill our “long obedience” on the uneven terrain of this pathway through life with God.
Many thanks to NavPress for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
It’s my privilege this month to add my review of Maggie’s book along with reflections on the work of three other Redbuds to the July Redbud Post. Maggie Wallem Rowe, Dorothy Greco, Richella Parham, and Lucinda Secrest McDowell offer their wisdom to the world, and I invite you to click here and read on!
Every blessing,

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase This Life We Share: 52 Reflections on Journeying Well with God and Others simply click on the title or the image, and you’ll be taken directly to Amazon. If you decide to buy, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
We surely do need the stories of others to spur us along, no matter our age, no matter how long we have walked with God. Thank you for this review!
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Yes, I have thought of certain authors over the years as “book mentors.” I feel as if I know them, and they have had a huge impact on my living and my writing.
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I sure need encouragement from those who have walked this journey of faith. Thanks for this review, it sounds wonderful!
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Our experiences and our hard won wisdom are the gifts we offer to one another. I’m sure you are doing that for others.
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I’ve bought the ‘Practice of Resurrection’ study guide after your review – will be starting it next week. I will put ‘This Life we Share’ on my book list, might be a good one to buy as a present – thanks Michele!
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That’s so good to hear, Sharon!
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Sounds like such an inspirational read, Michele. Thanks for sharing!
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Maggie is a voice of wisdom with just the right amount of humor. I really enjoyed reading her reflections.
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Amy Carmichael and Elisabeth Elliot have been my mentors from afar, too, along with Rosalind Goforth. I haven’t read as much of the next generation, except Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Joni Eareackson Tada. But we always need the insights of fellow travelers.
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Yea, we’re all learning. And I am so grateful for good teachers.
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There’s power in sharing our stories. It can be a cathartic experience for the writer to share both wins and losses, ups and downs, highs, and lows and also for the reader as a traveling companion along that journey.
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Thank you for your faithfulness, Yvonne, in sharing your own storied path.
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Honestly, you are a reading machine.
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Ha! I’ve slowed down a lot this summer.
No book review next week.
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…my wife and daughter have gone to many Women of Faith conferences over the years,
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That’s great! I’d love to attend one day…
Big conferences don’t usually come to Maine, but they should!
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This sounds like a devotional book that I would enjoy, Michele. I appreciate the fact that Maggie draws from successes as well as failures and offers what sounds like practical guidance for dealing with real struggles.
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Yes, her voice is sincere and gritty, and yet she holds out lots of hope from her own experience with God.
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mmm … pure motives. A beautiful goal, a peaceful way to do life.
Only by His grace.
Happy 4th, dear friend …
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Yes, it does set the bar high, but there’s grace to boost us.
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Another title for the Books to Purchase list! As a former pastor’s wife myself (40 years, until my husband retired), I’ll read her reflections with special interest in our similar experiences, and look forward to the wisdom Maggie has gleaned along the way. Thank you, Michele!
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I keep forgetting that this is also part of your story, Nancy! Yes, you would be encouraged by her vulnerable sharing.
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It sounds like a very inspirational book. It’s often very useful to hear how others’ experiences have formed their faith as a guide for our own. #GlobalBlogging
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I have depended on that — and still do!
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Thanks Michele, we will feature your review in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
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Thank you, Kathleen! That’s a big encouragement!
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[…] Women of Faith: The Stories of a Lifetime by Michele […]
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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[…] Women of Faith: The Stories of a Lifetime by Michele […]
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This read sounds very inspiring. I think a lot can be learnt from reading others experiences through sincere accounts that don’t rose-tint around the edges. Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeamLinky
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Yes! We need to read about the failures AND the successes!
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ps. that is such a wonderful quote you’ve included at the top of your post. I’m going to have to save this one. #DreamTeamLinky
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Glad it encouraged you!
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I hope 2020 gives other women the impetus for sharing their stories of faith to support and inspire others. Thanks for linking up with #dreamteamlinky
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Me, too, Laura. Thanks for this insight.
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[…] Women of Faith: The Stories of a Lifetime by Michele […]
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Thanks for sharing this post Michele….i will check all the things out as soon as possible…just stopped by to wish you well and enquire how you are doing these days……take care…my best…..sophie
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Good to here from you, Sophie!
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[…] Best of all, she’s done her homework in curating a spot-on Scripture verse for each entry and dozens of relevant quotations drawn from her years of reading and study. If you read and enjoyed This Life We Share, you’ll be “happy as a hound dog with two tails” to continue harvesting wisdom from Maggie’s faithful following life. (You’ll find my review of Maggie’s first book HERE.) […]
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