Monday, September 16, 2019

About the Book

Book: Tidbits and Pearls

Author: Ladonna Shanks

Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian personal growth

Release Date: April 15, 2019

How often do you truly see that life is full of everyday blessings from God? Our Creator is present in our lives—even when we don’t realize it—and it is part of His plan that we have friendship and relationship with Him. So how does one live life with God, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator of all?

In Tidbits and Pearls, Ladonna Shanks shares incidents from her life, recounting them in a way that touches the heart and enriches the lives of those who read these personal stories. Her insights and lessons learned offer profound yet simple wisdom, gleaned from her seventy-plus years of life experience. Many of her essays focus on her family—her children and “grandgirls”—as well as her personal gardening business. Her faith shines through the narrative as a shining light for others to follow.

Humankind was created to have a relationship with their Creator, and everyday life presents the opportunities for that to occur. Tidbits and Pearls is one woman’s record of how God manifests himself in daily life, with the challenge to look beyond the physical and seek the spiritual aspect of life. So take the first step in this journey and be honest with yourself and with God, for you are His instrument, and without Him you can do nothing.

About the Author

Ladonna Shanks was born and raised in Oregon. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962, married, and became mother to a son and three daughters. After more than thirty years as a stay-at-home mom, she began working in a garden nursery. That led to establishing her own gardening business. Now in her mid-seventies, she continues to operate the business as it enters its seventeenth season.

More from Ladonna

When people ask me how long it took to write Tidbits and Pearls, I usually tell them, “It took a lifetime.” As a senior citizen, I had to live it before I could write of it–of life and the living of it; of God’s desire for friendship; of His presence in everyday life; of the opportunities given to learn, to grow, and to experience Him.

Tidbits and Pearls began as a blog several years ago, based on my personal experiences as God walks with me and teaches me. My desire is to share Him–with those who believe and those who don’t; to those in a church and those who aren’t; to many, to but one. In this compilation of posts, my goal is to challenge the reader to think beyond the physical into the spiritual, to consider the brevity of this life when compared to the eternal, to think of things in a way perhaps never thought of before, to look Godward.

My walk with God began as a very little girl with no concept of the reality of Him and His love. As a seventy-something woman, He is a part of my daily life, my anchor, the foundation of my being. He is my reason for living.

I am honored to deliver His message—God is love; He created humankind for friendship and relationship; there is a point and purpose to all things.

Oh the struggles of having a relationship is something I tremble at sometimes. I'm not very good at making friends and find myself as a loner walking this earth. In this book the author shows us how to have the most important relationship you can have. That relationship is with God. I may feel alone but I'm never really alone as I continue to deepen my relationship with Him. He accepts us for who we are and loves us unconditionally. This relationship is far more valuable than any I could have.

I liked how the author shared stories from her life. One particular story hit home with me. My mother had Alzheimer like her mother did. Our family was very dysfunctional and still is today. When I found out about my mother, I didn't hesitate to step up and help with her care. It didn't matter that my parents abused me and never said they loved me. What mattered to me was that my mother needed me and I would do anything to grasp a piece of a relationship with her. I took a lot of hateful words from my dad as I stepped in to help but it never swayed me to walk away. When she passed away suddenly, two of my brothers and I were in the same place at the same time with our dad. We didn't immediately rekindle our relationship between each other, but it did make us realize how precious life is.

The stories the author shares are fun to read and give readers pause to think about all the relationships they have. We need to enjoy every minute and learn from our hurtful words or bad judgment. I loved getting to know the author and her family better. She shares triumphs and encourages others to not take anything for granted. She has a heart for others and finds ways to bless people. Her insights about her children and grandchildren are an example of a person who enjoys family and life.

Cherished moments are ones that touch you and give you fond memories. I loved how the author shares moments such as a hug from her child when they were young. I remember times when my boys were little. I treasure each moment I have spent with them and appreciate how they still give me a hug and say they love me even though they are adults now.

Each chapter is filled with wonderful, encouraging words that I couldn't get enough of. If you are feeling down, grab this book and get a lift from God. This book now has a permanent place on my bookshelf. I will take it down to reread again and be reminded to "leave an invisible mark , one not seen with the physical but with the spiritual eye, a mark that is eternal.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.