A person can't help but feel a smile spread across their face the minute they pick up this little book. Perfectly sized to slip in your purse - it is like a cup of encouragement on those rainy days when your heart is heavy.

Women wear many hats and are under tremendous pressure - this is not to say that men do not face the pressures of todays world - but simply that women feel the emotional pain of this pressure. There is always something to live up to, some disappointment to overcome, some task yet unfulfilled, some dream left unlived, some pain to get past, some hurt to forgive, and the list goes on and on.

52 to devotionals, 52 weeks of the year, 52 subjects that are close to women's hearts around the world. Finally, 52 invitations to meet the Father, experience His love, know His peace and hear His voice. 52 moments alone, 52 times in prayer. 52 weeks to contemplate and put to heart the devotion for the week.

Holly Gerth is known for her compassionate heart and encouraging words - here it is on best display. Easily carried in a purse or in the glove box, or stashed on your night stand - this is a book that you do not want to miss out on.

I will be purchasing these little jewels as gifts for the women in my life - a cup of joy in their deserts.

Thanks to the publisher Revell for this complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
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I am still reading this wonderful book. It's been a huge help to me during these difficult days. I found this gem in a bookstore; I wasn't even looking for something like this, but there it was. Gerth has a gift for writing insightfully yet succinctly too, and doesn't come off pollyanna-ish. This is one I'll be picking up again and again, especially during the hard days. ( )

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

All you have to do is LOOK at it and it will cheer you up!

Yes I am a sucker for a cute little book that has a coffee cup on the cover... but that is only a part of this book's charm!

Just wait til you get a look inside! Holley Gerth is a genius! She has put together a beautiful, endearing, uplifting book and anyone - absolutely anyone can find something inside that will apply to their life!

Yes it is set up so that you can read and study one concept each week for 52 weeks of the year but I don't think many of you will want to stop reading once you get started!

It is such a comfort to find good, Biblical advice, especially in this crazy, upside down world we live in.

And I absolutely love the little sections provided at the end of each chapter for notes, the bible verses and the wonderful prompts. Not only does Holley delve deep into what the Bible tells us Jesus wants for us - she draws us in and interacts with us while doing it.

Bravo Holley!

I am compelled to go out and find more of Holley's wonderful books and I hope you will feel the same!

Why oh why haven't I seen these fantastic little books before!

This is a book that everyone needs to have handy for those everyday challenges that make us feel worn out and defeated - along with their personal Bible of course.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

Thank You and God Bless! ( )

Title: What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days
Author: Kelly Gerth
Pages: 256
Year: 2014
Publisher: Revell
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Heart-Needs-Hard/dp/0800722884/ref=sr_1_1?s=book...
Sometimes our daily life seems hard, and at times the word “hard” doesn’t even begin to describe our reality does it? Perhaps, when going through those days, you aren’t sure where to turn in your Bible for a word to help calm your heart, remind you that God is right there or even that tomorrow is a new day.
Author Kelly Gerth shares 52 truths that are meant to encourage women either when life hits a rocky moment or the season goes on for days in which case the little book can be used as a devotional. Each entry begins with a short story, followed by a prayer and a space for readers to write what they hear the Lord saying to them. The author points to passages of Scripture to abide in and gain strength, perspective, healing or whatever need the heart yearns for.
We all look for someone to understand us as women, especially when we are struggling. Here is a book to give to someone or keep for yourself to grab when your heart needs some encouragement to go on. Abide in the Word that is shared, take time away from the noise of life to hear the Father speak and watch for Him to touch you where you are.
My rating is 4 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

Holley Gerth finds a way to hit at the heart of what women are dealing with emotionally as they try to balance a career, a marriage, being a mom, and everything else that goes along with it. Holley has written books to encourage and offer hope just when women may feel like giving up. In WHAT YOUR HEART NEEDS FOR THE HARD DAYS she has written a devotional that can be read regularly, or just when you need some focused encouragement.

By taking 52 truths, you can find one to read and ponder on or read one each week of the year. In my review of this book, I looked at the various chapter titles and read ones that hit at my own struggles. I found chapters on anxiety, high expectations, and feeling alone to speak right to my needs. Each of the chapters covers about 3 pages of insight beginning with a Bible verse. Your short devotional covers a story and promise for how to get through this particular "hard time". Each devotional ends with a beginning of a prayer than you personalize and a space for you to write your own thoughts from a couple chapters in the Bible.

This book would work perfect as a personal or women's group study. You can read each chapter in order or pick and choose the chapter that meets your particular needs that day. Some of the truths I found in my reading included:
Pinpointing my anxious thoughts and replacing them with faith instead so my emotions can change too.
God is present in the whole process. He is there in the beginning. He is there in the middle. He will be there when it comes to an end. God wants me to praise Him during the whole process.
I don't have to be as strong as I think I do. I don't have to pretend. I don't have to put up a front for God. He can handle where I am at today. I can tell Him the truth because He already knows it.
If these few items spoke to you, I highly recommend you read WHAT YOUR HEART NEEDS FOR THE HARD DAYS. You may not feel like you are in the midst of a "hard or difficult day", but Holley gets right at the realities of daily life and lets you know you aren't alone. ( )