A Mother's Heart Knows

I've got a good one for you all today, my friends!

Today, I'm here to tell you about the third book on the "Blog Book Tour", and an absolutely FABULOUS giveaway that I am sharing with you only because there are two to give away....so after I win one, there will still be one left for one of you!

The book is called "A Mother's Heart Knows" and on the outside it's a tiny little book....on the inside....not so tiny. "A Mother's Heart Knows" is a gift book. You know, one of those little books that you give to someone to let them know that you love them and care about them, and they, in turn, display it on a side table, or shelf and look through it every now and then and smile and think of you....at least that's how I normally see these books.

When I was a teacher, (in a real school, as my children call it) I had a couple of these types of books that were full of words of wisdom, comfort, and encouragement for teachers. I kept them on my desk and looked through them every now and then to get encouragement and comfort. That's what I thought I'd do with this little book...

What I found when I started reading through this little book was that rather than delivering sweet little platitudes about motherhood to encourage me, it actually challenged me. As I found myself reading all the things that "A Mother's Heart Knows", I realized that being a mother is a high calling indeed, and I am not always living up to all that God has called me to be for my children. It was AWESOME! I found myself saying things like, "Oh yes, that is so true." and "Oh, I've kind of let that slide a little." and "Wow, I really should be doing that, shouldn't I?" and "God has truly given me a gift in letting me be a mom. I need to be seeking Him more in how He'd like me to do this job!"

Motherhood is truly a gift, and I don't believe that God chooses lightly who He allows to be mothers to his precious babies. I don't think that we should take it lightly either. He specifically chose you to be a mother to your particular children. And, are you ready for this? He didn't goof it up! He chose the right mom for the right kid! This book helped me to see that, and challenged me to do a better job of letting Him teach me how to take care of His precious gifts.

And now, you have the opportunity to win some fabulous stuff! Margaret McSweeney, the author of this powerful little book, is hosting a "My Favorite Mom" Spa Basket Contest! All you have to do is go here and share your favorite story about your mother (or someone who is like a mother to you) and you will be entered to win one of TWO Spa Baskets, and Margaret is going to post the stories on her own blog (with your permission). AND (oh yes, there is more!) if you leave a comment on this post at Margaret's blog, you can win a signed copy of "A Mother's Heart Knows" for your very own!

But wait...that's not all!

All royalty proceeds from this book go to WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger) and a student missionary scholarship fund. WINGS is a non-profit organization that provides a domestic violence shelter for women and their children in addition to transitional housing and programs.

So, if you don't win your own copy, you can go here and order a copy or three (this book really is a great gift!) and you will be helping other mothers...and their children. I told you this one was fabulous!

And here's just a little more information about the author:

Margaret lives with her husband and two daughters in a Chicago suburb. Her book, A Mother’s Heart Knows was published by Thomas Nelson in 2005. Go Back and Be Happy, a co-authored book will be published by Lion Hudson in July 2008. Margaret has been featured on Greg Wheatly’s “Prime Time America,” TLN’s “Aspiring Women,” and LeSea’s “The Harvest Show.” Margaret writes freelance articles for The Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. Notable interviews include Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Kinkade, Susan Branch and Dr. John Gottman. Margaret also wrote a feature article for crosswalk.com. With a master’s degree in international business, Margaret became a vice president in the corporate finance division of a New York City bank and worked there from 1986-1993. Supporting charitable causes is important to Margaret. For the past five years, she has served on the board of directors for WINGS, an organization that helps abused women and their children get a new start in life.

So, go and enter the drawing for the Spa Baskets, leave Margaret a comment to win a signed copy of the book, and then go buy a couple more to give as gifts!