If you know me, you know that I am always on the lookout for new books to devour. Inspirational
first, entertaining second, Christ honoring a must, and a combination of the three, ideal.
J
Recently a friend lent me a book published by the
King’ Blooming Rose ministries:
The Family Daughter by Sarah L. Bryant, the editor of the King’s Blooming Rose magazine. I’d heard about their organization a lot through various sources, but I’d never read any of their materials, so I was happy for the chance to find out a little more about their mission and some of the philosophies they promote in their ministry.
The author of the book is Sarah Bryant, a stay-at-home home school graduate from a family of eight children. Another big family.
J
Sarah introduces
The Family Daughter by comparing a stay-at-home daughter who is finding contentment and purpose through serving her family to “polished cornerstones.” The phrase “polished cornerstones” comes from Psalm 144:12, and likens a virtuous daughter to a pillar supporting and strengthening those around her, in this case, her family.
The book offers practical advice for girls and young women who are single and living in their parents’ home, suggesting that they use their unmarried years (1) in cultivating their relationships with Jesus and finding their joy in Him rather than in pursuing their own dreams and agendas; (2) in seeking to be a blessing and delight to their parents, particularly their fathers; (3) in encouraging their siblings and investing in their lives, (4) in serving their families rather than themselves; (5) keeping themselves pure and unstained in anticipation of their future marriages; and (6) focusing on Christ first and foremost, rather than on their own desires.
I found Sarah Bryant’s style personable and humble; some authors tend to portray themselves as
“having it all together.” Honestly, who can read about someone who “who has it all together” and
think, “Same here; I know exactly what you mean?”
The author freely admits that she is learning along with her audience and maintains a humble and realistic approach throughout the entire book, which made reading it both enjoyable and easy to relate to.
She writes in the final chapter,
Bouquet of Beauty, “May we each be able to give account someday when we meet our Lord Jesus, ‘I was a faithful daughter.’” Stated simply, her book is an explanation of what it means to be a “faithful daughter”, along with concrete counsel for playing out the role of Christ-honoring daughterhood in everyday life, particularly family and home life.
In an era where society demands its daughters to enter the career realm at graduation and pursue
professions within the work force, I found
The Family Daughter to be like a breath of fresh air, particularly so because it is written by a young woman who is seeking to live the lifestyle it encourages. At the book’s conclusion, I said, “I was blessed.” It was definitely an encouragement.
God Bless,
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