About the Book

Book: Glorious Mess

Author: Mary McCullough

Genre: Christian Nonfiction/Biblical Studies

Release Date: March 10, 2020

A woman struggles with a messy home situation, brokenness, rejection, and shame.

Know a woman like this?

Are you a woman like this?

Hannah, a powerful biblical example, was just such a woman. Through her life women can glean answers for their own life problems. Hannah didn’t stay in her grief and pain. She came to the end of her own striving and poured out her heart to the Lord—who answered her prayer.

Experience God’s love and healing in your own “messy” situations as you explore Hannah’s heartbreak and struggles in a Bible study just for women who don’t have it all together. This interactive six-week daily Bible study will help you pray transparently, praise wholeheartedly, and break off the shackles of spiritual barrenness, the need for approval, and perfectionism.

Hannah’s story will empower you to rise from your ashes, leave your messes in God’s hands, and live in service to the King of kings.

Wounds you thought would never heal will become scars that no longer hurt but remind you of the journey from broken to beautiful. As you wait, healing will come. Your soul will find rest even when the situation doesn’t change.

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this Bible study and learning facts about Hannah. The author does a good job of exploring who Hannah is while encouraging readers that each of us are special. The chapters are short but have a discussion questions and prayer at the end to tie into the chapter.

Starting day three was eye opening as we see where Hannah has gotten herself in a big mess. I liked how the author points out that “God chose flawed, normal, everyday people just like you and me to tell His story.” We are not perfect and I like how Hannah’s story reminds us that God loves us unconditionally. Hannah endured pain and cruel treatment by a certain woman. Are you guilty of causing pain to someone by your harsh words? I have never been comfortable around a group of women. I always feel like I’m being judged so I tend to be alone in a crowd.

This is a six week study that I found to really help me become more confident. Oh I have a long road ahead of me, but reading this study has started me on my journey. My time spent with God has become increasingly more intimate as I learn to listen to Him and read His Word. Week 4 of the study is one of my favorites. Here we see Hannah crying out to God. Her tears streamed down her face and right there is where the author really knew Hannah. Hannah is just like us who hurt and feel alone. We cry tears mostly in secret and want so bad to be accepted.

I encourage readers to write notes, spend time doing the study and allow yourself to surrender everything to Him. Hannah's story is heartbreaking at times but as she learns to trust God, she is able to be stronger . I loved this , “continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord and with others- and that, like Hannah, you will share your story of how God is taking you from broken to bold and beautiful.”

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

About the Author

Mary McCullough worked as an elementary school teacher for twenty-three years and is now an assistant elementary principal and building administrator. The co-founder of God First Friends, a ministry that helps women flourish as disciples of Christ, she is a longtime Bible study and Sunday school teacher for children and adults. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years and have four adult children and three grandchildren. They live in Decatur, Indiana. Glorious Mess is her debut book.

More from Mary

Glorious Mess is the Biblical study of Hannah. As a perfectionist and control-freak, I had a neat and tidy life. That is until everything fell apart, and I found myself crying out to God for healing when life got out of control in so many areas. The more my world spun out of control, the more I identified with Hannah. She taught me about authenticity, grace, and perseverance. Her rival, Peninnah, taught me how to handle mean-spirited people and brought my own flaws to the surface so God could deal with them.

Year after year, I cried out for the healing I so desperately wanted at the foot of the cross. Mistreatment from others, the pain of watching others hurt, and my own weaknesses led me back to Hannah’s story time and again. It was Hannah’s journey from broken to bold and beautiful that kept me going. I wanted her confidence in the Lord. I wanted to stand up from my pain and never look back again on the pain but to know the God she knew. Some may think pain is in vain, but the Lord never wastes anything if we allow him to use it. I have learned of his kindness, faithfulness, and goodness beyond understanding. I’ve learned what it is like to be broken, and now I know what it means to be whole.

It is my prayer that each individual who goes through this study will be changed for eternal glory!

I’ve learned that your messes don’t define you, but they will refine you if you will lay them at the foot of the cross.