Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Isn't it funny how we like to have control over our lives? We plan out our days, weeks, months, and even years under the supposition that, not only will we still be alive and well, but that everything to that point will have occurred as planned. My favorite aspect (when I'm not in the middle of it) is when I decide how to fix something askew in my life without consulting the Big Man. As I was reading this book, I realized that I have a tendency to do this pretty often. One of the main characters is haunted - not literally - by the death of her brother, and convinces herself that everything will be hunky-dory again when she fulfills her brother's dream. It seems comical, the idea that by meeting some arbitrary goal, we'll finally find what we're looking for, but I think a lot of us do exactly that in our lives.

I'll be able to relax if I can just get this promotion. I'll be happy if I finally get that new car I've been wanting. Everything will be great once my bank account reaches (fill in your blank). It'll all work out once I invest in Bitcoin. My life will be perfect when my spouse changes this bad habit. Mine tends to be, "I'll find fulfillment when my kids are in school and I can begin my career". The problem with this line of thinking is that we live our lives in the time between.

If we can trust that we are exactly supposed to be right now, we can begin to look for the value in our everyday. I can feel accomplished when I survive a debate with my toddler or finally fold that laundry that's gone through the dryer 24 times. I can find joy in being home with my children and the opportunity I have to shape them into individuals who will grow to be the people I hope for them to be. This is something I'm still learning and have to be reminded of all the time, but as I see God's faithfulness and how He's worked in my life, it makes it easier to trust that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be and give Him the things that I don't understand.

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beckett faces the issue of loving someone of whom you feel completely unworthy. His dilemma is understandable based on his colorful past and rough family situation, but the journey to finding his worth means opening up old wounds.

Madison is driven and has her life all figured out, until she finds herself in need of assistance from the one man she can't stand being around. When she has to let Beckett in to achieve her ultimate goal and finally have some peace, she soon realizes that some things are entirely out of her control.

Denise Hunter has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and this book is a wonderful example of exactly why. She has a great way of diving in to deep spiritual truths wish serious real-life issues, but does so in such a way that the problems and solutions feel like the most natural, simple journey. Her characters speak with a perfect, easy flow and the men she writes actually sound like men (something I'm realizing isn't necessarily common in most female-authored works).

Jump in to this fantastic story and you won't want to put it down! You can get it on Amazon HERE and it even comes in Audiobook form!