Read a Book Monday: “Choosing Grace” by author Cheri Swalwell

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” True, how true. Where would I be without grace? Lost. “I once was lost but now am found…” God’s grace is far reaching an abundant, as ours should be. This devotional is one of the best that I have read on grace. It impacted my life and made me realize grace should be given as well as received. Read my review and then the book. You will be blessed.

Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace by author Cheri Swalwell is an inspirational book designed to help readers deepen their understanding about grace. It stirs the mind to think about grace and ponder where grace is in our lives. Not just grace received from God and others but also grace given to others. In the beginning of her book, the author cites Merriam-Webster’s definition of grace as “a virtue coming from God,…an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency.” Clemency is defined as mercy. I know God gives grace and mercy, but do I? Right from the beginning the author had my wheels turning as she stepped on my toes. Ouch!

The author takes readers into her personal life as she talks about grace, her life word for a year from God. She tells tales on herself and takes us through issues many of us have tackled ourselves. Sharing our opinions, yelling, temper tantrums, being happy for others rather than sad for ourselves, worrying, questioning God’s timing are just a sampling. She talks about family issues, health, and finances. She explores why bad things happen to good people. All of this packed into 120, bible based pages on grace. What a blessing this book was to this reader! It was refreshing and gave me a new outlook on some old issues.

Her stories provided much for me to examine in my own life. Am I blessing others with grace? Am I aware when others are blessing me. Am I aware of God’s grace to me? There are so many Days in the book that stood out as extremely inspiring it was hard to decide what to share. Probably my favorite and the one that I found most moving was Day 29, “Thank You Before”. It encourages readers to thank God before the miracle happens. To believe that you will receive something from God and praise Him before it happens.

This powerful book is divided into 32 Days so it would make a great devotional if you are able to hold off and read it one day at a time. Not so with this reader. I found it so inspiring that I wanted to keep reading. This was like chatting with a friend and hearing about her week. Spoken from the Heart: Choosing Grace is relatable. I found myself nodding my head as I read parts of it. I wanted to talk to her and offer encouragement in parts and praise with her in others. It was like talking to her because she has such a way with words. I gleaned so much from this nicely written book. It is a thought provoking, humorous at times, lovely, moving book that is scripturally based. The author’s love for God and her gift for sharing that love is evident throughout this grace filled book. I look forward to now going back and reading it as a daily devotional. This would be a great book for anyone wanting to learn more about grace or strengthen their Walk. It would make a nice small group or bible study. I would highly recommend it and rated it a 5 out of 5 stars.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” 2 Peter 1:2