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“Though the World expects the twenty-first century girl to move out of her father’s house and support herself with a career, as Christians we must look to the principles found in God’s Word.  Only when we are following God’s plan will we truly find peace, knowing we are in His will.  His plan for us is a joyous, stimulating, and success-filled mission.” (pg. 16)

Today, I am a “stay-at-home” wife, mother, and homemaker – by both choice and conviction.  But, growing up, I was not, nor did I desire to be, a “stay-at-home daughter.”  In fact, until two years ago, I had never even heard of it!

In The Family Daughter: Becoming Pillars of Strength in Our Father’s House, 16-year-old author, Sarah Bryant, shares her own struggle with this concept, and offers an encouraging testimony to God’s transforming work in her heart, life, and family.  And, with humility, grace, and maturity, she now seeks to encourage other young ladies to embrace a biblical vision for daughterhood, and to view the season of life before marriage as an opportunity to serve the Lord, bless [their] family, and prepare [them]selves to lead a mission-driven life for His glory. (pg. 24)

I wish there were both time and space to share all of the wisdom and encouragement that this book has to offer, but there simply is not.  (Even if there were, I’m sure copyright laws would prohibit it!)  So, I will simply share a few highlights…

In chapter 2 (In My Father’s House) Sarah offers her readers advice on how to practically serve their families, while simultaneously preparing for the responsibilities of caring for a husband and family, and managing a home.  But, she is also careful to note that this time of preparation does not assume, or presume, that marriage is the ultimate goal:

“Regardless of whether the Lord calls us to single or married lives, we must gird ourselves with preparation during these formative years in our father’s house.  While there would be nothing lost if we prepare and the Lord does not have marriage for our life, there is a great deal to lose if we do marry and are not ready.”  (pg. 30)

In chapter 5 (A Pillar of Strength) Sarah addresses an issue that transcends age, marital status, and family size: nurturing and growing in our relationship with our Lord.

“How often I grope along trying to live my days for Him, without Him. I too easily fall into the mindset that I am going to do something for God.  As if anything I do is worth anything to Him?  What foolishness, that of a child.  Jesus did not go to the cross because He needed me; He died there for me because He loved me.  The only works that please Him are those that He does through me.” (pg. 104, emphasis original)

This chapter offers practical thoughts on:

• Prayerfully Abiding: “We should constantly come to our Lord in prayer throughout the day – and night….While we must be in prayer incessantly, it is good to specifically set aside time each day to pray in a quiet place.” (pg. 96)
• Dwelling in the Spirit: “Our minds must be kept pure, and our thoughts regulated by the will of Christ.  We need to evaluate every area of life and everything we put into our mind – is it virtuous, lovely, pure, and praiseworthy, according to Philippians 4:8?” (pg. 97)
• Daily Time with Christ: “The purpose of a devotion time with the Lord is to listen to His voice, open our heart to Him in prayer, read His Word, and enjoy His holy presence away from the distractions of the world.” (pgs. 99-100)  This section also offers several ideas for how to start a regular devotional time, what to do, how to minimize distractions, and ways to remember and apply lessons learned.

Chapter 7 (The Spotless Maiden) discusses modesty and purity – both external and internal.

“In Christ, every girl can be beautiful – because a life lived apart from the world and dwelling in Him is the most beautiful, rare gem to behold.  Inward beauty is a trait that we, as daughters of the King of purity, should seek wholeheartedly.” (pg. 135)

When it comes to clothing, the definition of “modesty” and “femininity” can vary greatly from person to person, and family to family.  What may be acceptable for one, may be deemed inappropriate in another.  While Sarah addresses the need for distinctively feminine clothing styles, her emphasis is not necessarily on a particular mode of dress.  Rather she points out that “Our clothing should direct others to Jesus, not to ourselves.  Do not let your outward appearance overtake your thoughts; remember the heart matters too.  Seek to bring glory to Christ alone, and guard to make sure your motives are pure.” (pg. 141)

Contentment is another issue addressed in this chapter.  It is addressed mainly in terms of singleness and marriage.  However, struggles with discontentment do not magically disappear on your wedding day.  And much of the wisdom offered in this chapter can be applied to almost any area of life in which God’s timing does not seem to match our own.

Alongside Sarah’s own testimony to God’s grace and transformation in her own life, she also includes the stories of other young ladies, who, like the author, are seeking to glorify God, and serve others wherever He has placed them – whether single or married.

In addition to the practical wisdom offered, this book is extremely biblical.  Before the book even begins, Sarah clearly lays out the Scriptural foundation upon which it is based.  And throughout each chapter, she reminds her readers to allow God’s Word to be their guide, and ultimate authority concerning all matters addressed in this book.

Although I am no longer among this book’s “target audience,” there were many times that I found myself convicted of sin, or discovered areas that needed work in my own life.  As a wife and mother, I also found great insight and instruction on how I can better train and encourage my own daughter to embrace a biblical view of womanhood, even now.

This book is an encouraging and needed message today – for single young women, and for the mothers who are seeking to raise them.

You can find out more and get your own copy here!

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For Extra Entries:

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