Shiny Things: Mothering on Purpose in a World of Distractions
What and who should get the best of us?
And why is it so enticing to choose lesser things instead of
lasting things?
As moms we know the magnetic pull to steer away from what’s
important and choose what feels irresistible in the moment. In
Shiny Things, Amanda Bacon and Anne-Renee Gumley bring to
light the distractions moms face every day.
Honoring God and loving our families are our highest priority, but
sometimes we need help keeping them there. For all of us who find
ourselves caught in the cycle of distraction but are looking for a
way out, Shiny Things will help us:
- identify the threat of distractions so we can learn to live with intention
- resist the pull to be interrupted by non-essentials and focus on God and our priority people
- purpose to live free from distraction with hearts turned Godward in all we do
It’s never too late to take hold of what’s most important.
Today’s a great day to start.
“My friends Amanda and Anne-Renee deeply understand the struggle
we all face as moms to be present with our family while our
attention is pulled in a million different directions. The
practical, godly wisdom they share in Shiny Things will meet
you right where you are while pointing you back to the
moment-by-moment help offered to us by Jesus Himself. Such a needed
message for us moms today.”
—Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and
president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
“This is a kind book for any mom who feels pushed around by her
schedule and pulled away by distraction. What Amanda and Anne-Renee
do for moms in Shiny Things is to bring us back to center by
reminding us of our most basic loves—home, good work, family, dear
friends, and a God who holds us all together. I’m grateful for the
friendship they have with each other that they graciously extend to
us in the pages of this book.”
—Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
of Simply Tuesday and host of The Next Right Thing
podcast
“Amanda and Anne-Renee remind us that moms are not robots—we
have real demands on our time and space, but also some very real
limitations. Shiny Things is an excellent read that helps us
see how choosing wisely, with the bigger picture always in mind, is
key. This book is like sitting with two friends who help me focus
on my relationship with God, my priority people, and my God-given
role as a mom.”
—Nicki Koziarz, bestselling author and speaker
“Readers often ask me to identify the biggest challenges of
being an author. My answer: the squirrels and the shiny things.
There are a thousand inconsequential distractions, every day, that
try to get in the way of God’s priorities for my work and my
everyday life as a wife and mom. Let’s all be thankful that
Anne-Renee and Amanda persevered past their own ‘shiny
things’ to complete this primer on distraction-free living.
This book will help you keep your eyes fixed on the work and the
people God wants you to serve. Shiny Things won’t get rid of
your distractions, but it will help you keep your focus on what
matters most of all.”
—Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of It’s All Under
Control
“Shiny Things is a book for every mom! This world is not
slowing down at all—the number of ‘shiny things’ stealing our
attention and distracting us from the mission of motherhood
continues to increase. This book is needed now more than ever! As I
read each chapter I noticed my head and heart nodding in agreement,
recognizing that I am not alone in trying to be a great mother in a
world of distractions. Anne-Renee and Amanda have written a
beautiful message to moms, reminding us all about what is truly
significant about our role in our families and the purpose God has
for us, right where we are!”
—Jennifer Smith, author of The Unveiled Wife and Wife
After God
“The difficult work of motherhood has often caught me by
surprise. How could something so good be so hard? With heartfelt
transparency, Amanda and Anne-Renee bring clarity to our calling
and give us the perspective we need to move forward with hope and
confidence.”
—Ruth Schwenk, author of Pressing Pause and The Better
Mom
“This book is your survival guide to the stop-go-stop-go
rollercoaster of parenting. It's not another to-do. It's a
to-don't. Here's your permission slip to stop what's sucking
the life out of you and find new ways to focus on what's
life-giving to you and your family.”
—Lisa-Jo Baker, bestselling author of Never Unfriended
and cohost of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
“For all of us moms who have felt the weight of discouragement
and distraction, Anne-Renee and Amanda are a welcome voice of
reassurance and hope. Shiny Things is their gentle but
genuine reminder we need to let go of our guilt and self-imposed
expectations and rest in the grace we have in Christ.”
—Teri Lynne Underwood, author of Praying for
Girls
Product Details
- Title : Shiny Things: Mothering on Purpose in a World of Distractions
- Authors:
- Bacon, Amanda
- Gumley, Anne-Renee
- Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
- Publication Date: 2019
- ISBN: 9780736973687
Amanda Bacon lives in North Carolina with her husband,
Jeremy, and their eight children. She works for Proverbs 31
Ministries and loves encouraging women with biblical truth and
authenticity. When she isn’t driving carpool or feeding people, you
can find her writing, reading, or wandering outdoors.
Anne-Renee Gumley and her husband, Andrew, live in Alaska, with
their two children and a bunny. Her days are a messy mix of work,
motherhood, and ministry, with time reserved for bike rides,
breakfast foods, and bonfires. She loves words—especially the mom
related ones.