Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women: 101 Daily Devotions to Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire Women
By Susan M. Heim and Karen C. Talcott
2/5
()
About this ebook
Throughout time, women have shared their joys and sorrows, thoughts and feelings, experiences and life lessons with one another. The tradition continues in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women with 101 stories of friendship, faith, and comfort that affirm God’s unconditional love and His wisdom. Women will find encouragement, solace, and strength in these personal stories and prayers that cover everyday trials to tests of faith, to marriage and parenting, to service to others and self-esteem.
Read more from Susan M. Heim
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Mothers: 101 Daily Devotions to Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire Mothers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: New Moms: 101 Inspirational Stories of Joy, Love, and Wonder Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family: 101 Incredible Stories about Our Funny, Quirky, Lovable & "Dysfunctional" Families Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Here Comes the Bride: 101 Stories of Love, Laughter, and Family Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More: 101 Stories Celebrating Double Trouble and Multiple Blessings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Chicken Soup for the Soul
Related ebooks
Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving, Loss and Healing: 101 Stories of Comfort and Moving Forward Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings: 101 Stories of Gratitude, Fortitude, and Silver Linings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hope & Miracles: 101 Inspirational Stories of Faith, Answered Prayers, and Divine Intervention Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Stories of Faith: Inspirational Stories of Hope, Devotion, Faith, and Miracles Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Tough Times: Stories about the Hardest Parts of Being a Teenager Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul: Stories to Inspire Caregivers in the Home, Community and the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More: 101 Stories Celebrating Double Trouble and Multiple Blessings Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book: 101 Stories of Courage, Support and Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul Daily Inspirations for Women Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven and Other Miracles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Reboot Your Life: 101 Stories about Finding a New Path to Happiness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution: 101 Stories… Great Ideas for Your Mind, Body, and… Wallet Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude: 101 Stories about How Being Thankful Can Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandparents Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers: 101 Stories of Love, Laughs, and Lessons from Grandmothers and Grandchildren Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Forgiveness: 101 Stories about How to Let Go and Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Sweet Home: 101 Stories about Hearth, Happiness, and Hard Work Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul A Tribute to Moms Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Book of Christmas Miracles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Yes! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5NIV, Holy Bible Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Chicken Soup for the Soul
1 rating1 review
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I was very disappointed in this book. I just couldn't get into it and the stories just didn't click for me. It isn't that I have never experienced hard times. I have had my share of them. I am sure there are many people that will find this book wonderful and inspiring. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. There were a few excellent stories but on the whole, I can only give it 2 stars.
Book preview
Chicken Soup for the Soul - Susan M. Heim
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women
101 Daily Devotions to Comfort, Encourage, and Inspire Women
Susan M. Heim & Karen Talcott
www.SimonandSchuster.com
Published by Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC www.chickensoup.com
Copyright © 2009 by Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
CSS, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and its Logo and Marks are trademarks of Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing LLC.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®.
Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The publisher gratefully acknowledges the many publishers and individuals who granted Chicken Soup for the Soul permission to reprint the cited material.
Front cover photo courtesy of Punchstock/BLOOMimage. Back cover photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/zeremski. Interior and back cover illustration courtesy of iStockphoto.com/ maxtama
Cover and Interior Design & Layout by Pneuma Books, LLC
For more info on Pneuma Books, visit www.pneumabooks.com
Distributed to the booktrade by Simon & Schuster. SAN: 200-2442
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data
(Prepared by The Donohue Group)
Chicken soup for the soul : devotional stories for women : 101 daily devotions
to comfort, encourage, and inspire women / [compiled by] Susan M. Heim [and]
Karen Talcott ; foreword by Jennifer Sands.
p. ; cm.
ISBN: 978-1-935096-48-1
eISBN: 978-1-611591-45-3
1. Christian women--Religious life--Literary collections. 2. Christian life--Anecdotes. 3. Women--Prayers and devotions. 4. Devotional literature. I. Heim, Susan M. II. Talcott, Karen. III. Sands, Jennifer, 1964- III. Title: Devotional stories for women
PN6071.R4 C455 2009
810.8/02/0382/3522 2009934272
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
on acid∞free paper
18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
Contents
Foreword, Jennifer Sands
Introduction
~Faith~
1. A Cool Breeze and a Change of Heart, Karen Talcott
2. From Fruit of the Loom to a Car, Robin Smith
3. A Blessing in Disguise, Lorie Bibbee
4. Against All Odds, Lisa Murphy
5. In God We Trust, Francinne Cascio Lawrence
6. A Woman of Faith, Phyllis Saxton
7. The Trees Needed to Be Cut, Karen Talcott
8. Come Closer, Olivia Bibbee
9. Trusting in the Flow of Life, Christy Holstead Semple
10. A Fool and His Gold, Nancy Purcell
11. The Saturday Morning Miracle, Cynthia J. Freels
12. Running from God, Lorie Bibbee
~Motherhood~
13. Baby’s Breath, Susan M. Heim
14. Love and Potato Chips, Maria Rodgers O’Rourke
15. My Treasure from God, Clara Riveros
16. Like a Child, Deborah L. Kaufman
17. Jesus Loves the Little Children, Karen Talcott
18. Destiny, Janis Bonnie
19. In God’s Hands, Loretta D. Schoen
20. The Best Christmas Gift, Susan M. Heim
21. Everyday Mundane Things, Elizabeth Fenn
~Life Lessons~
22. Only Five Dollars, Kimberly Kenney
23. Weeding in God’s Garden, Karen Talcott
24. Outside Our Comfort Zone, Julie Cruz
25. The Turquoise Shoes, Susan M. Heim
26. The Parking Lot Mishap, Andrea Federman
27. Trust in the Lord... No Matter What, Charlene F. Gossett
28. Learning to Relinquish Control, Jacqueline M. Gaston
29. The Rhythm of Summer, Karen Talcott
~Illness~
30. The Rainbow’s Promise, Lisa Murphy
31. God Was at the Wheel, Nancy Kershaw
32. A Cart Full of Costco Products, Loretta D. Schoen
33. Finding Peace in the Midst of Pain, Jennifer Stango
34. A Healing from Heaven, Laura Bartolini Mendelsohn
35. Food from the Heart, Karen Talcott
36. Caring for My Own Health, L.P.
37. For Everything There Is a Season, Sandra Diane Stout
~God’s Helpers~
38. God’s Protection, Lorie Bibbee
39. Hang On and Don’t Let Go, Melody Riccardo
40. Angels All Around, Holly Shapiro-Robillard
41. God Sent Me an Angel, Gail Frank
42. Comfort from the Angels, Mary O’Reilly-Seim
43. A Car Whizzed By, Susan Forma
44. Gifts from God, Susan M. Heim
45. You Are Never Alone, Ingrid Michele Smith
46. His Eye Is on the Sparrow, Carrie Ellis
47. A Visit from the Holy Spirit, Jeanie McGuire Tennant
~Parenting~
48. A Cure for the Worry Gene, Deborah R. Albeck
49. Feeling Like Peter, Susan M. Heim
50. Training Wheels and Trust, Karen Talcott
51. Stumbling on the Path, Gerri Kinley
52. The Doughnut Disaster, Karen Talcott
53. The Cross by the Side of the Road, Susan M. Heim
54. God’s Perfect Timing, Julie Cruz
55. Smacked with the Obvious, Sandra Brese Rice
56. God Never Gives Up on Us, Susan M. Heim
57. A Pat on the Back, Lisa Murphy
~Relationships~
58. Appearances Can Be Deceiving, Susan M. Heim
59. Mending a Friendship, Karen Talcott
60. Clearing Away the Clutter, Susan M. Heim
61. My Grandmother’s Lesson, Tracy Powell
62. Do What’s Right, Cindy Dumke
63. Hope for the Prodigal, L.M.
64. Conflict with a Co-Worker, Karen Talcott
65. Loose Lips, Susan M. Heim
~Loss~
66. Words to Live By, Christina M. Harris
67. Losing a Child, Nancy Purcell
68. The Gucci
Bag, Loretta D. Schoen
69. The Times of Our Lives, Audrey Valeriani
70. Midnight Message, Carol Holmes
71. A Friend’s Eternal Love, Cathy Carpinello
72. May the Lord Give You Peace, Catherine Berg
73. Learning to Love Again, Karen Talcott
74. Hands Stretched Out, Janice Flood Nichols
~Service to Others~
75. Waiting for Jesus, Carrie Ellis
76. Are You Listening? Kim Leonard
77. His Name Is Gary, Karen Talcott
78. Faithful Friends, Susan M. Heim
79. A Little Girl’s Prayer, Lorie Bibbee
80. The Server Is Served, Jeanie McGuire Tennant
81. A Shift in Focus, Kim Leonard
82. More Than a Cup of Sugar, Darleen M. Gilbert
83. Where Can You Make a Difference? Susan M. Heim
~Marriage~
84. The Authentic Spark, Karen Talcott
85. Fighting Words, Susan M. Heim
86. Closing a Door, Opening Another, Tamilyn Sosa
87. Prayers for a Husband, Kathleen Johnson
88. My Dear Lou, Hulda Currie
89. The Miracle of Acceptance, K.P.
90. A Mixed Marriage, Deborah R. Albeck
91. A Cord Not Broken, Toni Thompson
92. Gifts from the Heart, Susan M. Heim
~Self-Esteem~
93. Healing the Hole in My Heart, AmondaRose Igoe
94. Gossip Hurts, Karen Talcott
95. Healing the Trinity — Mind, Body and Soul, Loretta D. Schoen
96. He Holds My Hand, LaTonya Branham
97. Vanity and a Toilet Toupee! Loretta D. Schoen
98. Just as I Am, Adleen Rawlings
99. Money Well Spent, Karen Talcott
100. My Fading Looks, Susan M. Heim
101. I Am Worthy of Love, Sharlene H. McClendon
Two Extra Stories by Jennifer Sands
Meet Our Contributors
Meet Our Authors
Thank You
About Chicken Soup for the Soul
Foreword
On September 11, 2001, every aspect of my life changed forever. My husband, Jim Sands, was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center — he was working on the 103rd floor of Tower One. In one single moment, I went from being a devoted, young wife and pharmacist to a devastated and angry widow. Back then, no one could have convinced me that I would ever recover from losing the love of my life. No one could have convinced me that I would ever be functional again, or that I’d even smile again. Before 9/11, I was not a believer in Christ, my knowledge of God was very limited, and I had never owned or read a Bible. So if anyone told me back then that I would one day have a Christian writing and speaking ministry, I would’ve suggested that they get a CAT scan.
But in that first year after 9/11, God brought many different people into my life to help draw me close to Him. They held me up, calmed me down, and turned my anger and bitterness into peace and trust. Some of them had been there all along, like my family and closest friends. Some came into my life for a fleeting moment, then they were gone and I never saw them again. Some came into my life and have since become very dear friends. It happened just as the Bible says: Some people planted seeds of faith, others watered them, but God was causing the growth (my paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 3:6). About a year after 9/11, I made the decision to trust Jesus with my life and my future... it was the greatest life decision I have ever made.
I thought I had reached my suffering quota. But then came another attack from a different kind of enemy. Five years after losing my husband, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Like that fateful morning of 9/11, I once again found myself repeating over and over, this can’t be happening... this can’t be happening. My mind was spiraling out of control and I just wanted to be held by Jim’s strong arms and comforted by his familiar voice. But that impossibility was even more distressing than the news of breast cancer.
So I took a deep breath and reminded myself that, like September 11, God could have stopped this serious health crisis from happening to me. He is sovereign. He has absolute supremacy and total dominion over this universe and everything in it. Then I realized I really was being held by strong arms... and I did hear a familiar voice. They weren’t Jim’s and they weren’t literal or audible. But they were very strong and very familiar:
I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is there anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27). The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are His everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth
(Matthew 28:18).
After two surgeries and thirty-five radiation treatments, I am grateful to report that I am now cancer free, for which I thank and praise God every day. And I’ve learned so much since the firestorm of 9/11 and my battle with breast cancer. I’ve discovered that God can bring triumph from tragedy. He can bring beauty from ashes. And He can bring blessings from brokenness. I marvel at how God took the worst thing that happened to me — my husband’s murder — and He used it to bring forth the best thing that could ever happen to me (or to anyone) — salvation and eternal life. Sometimes when we face our greatest loss, God will bring forth our greatest gain.
•••
I rejoiced when I was told that Chicken Soup for the Soul would be publishing a women’s Christian devotional book — applause, applause, it’s about time! Chicken Soup for the Soul books have touched the hearts of countless readers by telling real stories from real people going through real life... what a blessing for my sisters in Christ to finally have their own Chicken Soup for the Soul devotional. I enjoyed the manuscript so much that I wanted to toss in a couple of my own stories, so now you have two bonus blessings at the end of the book.
So much to learn, so much to share. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women is a treasure chest of vignettes from women who have learned about God’s faithfulness and want to share their riches with the world. As I read their words, I feel like I’m sitting down with an old friend and a cup of tea, chatting about God’s latest display of grace. This book is a botanical garden of stories that will plant seeds, water the roots, and cultivate the soil of our own heart... all while God is causing the spiritual growth. Books like this — along with the Bible — gave me the encouragement and hope I desperately needed after 9/11. And I still need encouragement and hope every day... don’t we all, ladies? Life is a journey through mountains and valleys, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Reading about the experiences of other women in this very special Chicken Soup for the Soul book truly warms my heart, lifts my spirit, puts a smile on my face and deepens my trust in the Lord.
I can’t tell you how many times after September 11 I asked, Why? Why? Why?
And perhaps you’re crawling through a valley right now and you’re asking that same question. I can tell you from personal experience that God allows suffering in our lives because there is work to be done inside of us that cannot be accomplished any other way. But He also uses our trials to equip us, so that we can support other people who are going through similar circumstances. We can be an example of trusting the Lord through the adversity in our lives. We can say to them, I was tried and tested the same way — look at what God did in my life.
None of us were made to stand alone! God uses us to hold each other up and bear each other’s burdens. That is the very essence of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, and that is the very essence of this book:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
I pray that Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women will bring you as much comfort as it brings to me. Along with peace. Healing. Guidance. Strength. Wisdom. A few giggles. And lots of inspiration. So make yourself a cup of tea, snuggle up in your favorite chair, and get ready for a book full of blessings and girlfriends and Scripture and smiles.
~Jennifer Sands
Christian Speaker and Author of
A Tempered Faith, A Teachable Faith, and A Treasured Faith
Introduction
Jesus certainly knew what he was talking about when he said, In this world you will have trouble
(John 16:33). Trials are a part of life! Some trials are small, like when your child gets permanent marker all over her new dress or you get a flat tire. Other troubles, like a cancer diagnosis or a job loss, can be catastrophic. Fortunately, Jesus reassures us in that same passage, But take heart! I have overcome the world.
He is with us through it all. And not only did Jesus give us the gift of himself, but he gave us another source of hope and inspiration: each other. Woman-to-woman, through