Advice For Daily Life

The Resolution For Women by Priscilla Shirer

A Review by Nina Lopez

Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of fiction. My mind seems adventurous enough that most of the time I need to reel my thoughts back to reality. So, when it comes to reading, I opt for books that keep me grounded and give practical advice on how to improve my life when it comes to mind, body, soul, and spirit. I yearn to learn what others know about success in relationships, faith, mental toughness, and business. After reading The Resolution for Women this yearning was completely fulfilled and my cup had runneth over! I couldn’t be more appreciative to my friend who gifted this to me, a book that I hope you will gift to yourself.

Author Priscilla Shirer makes no secret that this is not a book for someone who is looking for leisure reading or to be a bystander to penned entertainment. This book is intended for the woman who is looking to see her shortcomings and will challenge herself to rise above it all. She does this in a way that feels loving and comfortable… almost like you’re sitting with a good friend and talking over a cup of hot tea. What’s so dynamic about this book is that any woman can read it during any season of life and the insight will still be applicable. Shirer gracefully pivots her message as preparatory advice for those that will inevitably find themselves in similar situations, encouragement for those who currently find themselves in the thick of it, and a learning tool for the veterans to reflect and find a lesson learned.

The Resolution for Women is broken into three parts: This is Who I am, This is What I Have, and This is What Matters to Me. Each part has four to five subsections that highlight biblical perspectives and within each of those are three to four mini chapters. Each subsection ends with a resolution including a space for you to sign. It calls the reader from behind the pages into being an active participant in creating a better future for themselves and their families. Topics range from being content in your current situation to postfeminist culture, marriage, parenting, natural talents, and decision making for the future. There are 13 resolutions in all, and this is one of many that speaks to me:

I will pursue justice, love mercy, and extend compassion toward others.

For me, this is the ultimate way to live a Christ-like life. I see these as THE fundamentals of the Christian faith. I cannot call myself a follower of Christ if I do not make efforts towards justice, mercy and compassion. 

When I read the resolution, I asked myself – What can I do to pursue justice? Are there vulnerable populations that I can do more to lend a voice to? Furthermore, where can I extend mercy? (Can you remember the feeling from when someone extended mercy to you? Maybe they didn’t make you feel bad about an error in your work? Or perhaps you were late, they brushed it off and instead focused on how happy they were to see you?) A little mercy goes a long way! It keeps our confidence in tact, it cushions friendships, and can even boost someone’s self-esteem. And what about compassion? Do we have the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes in a way that we can hold space for them? Or even more, extend a helping hand? Ironically, I think I like this resolution the most because I know I need to be shown these values from others the most! To take it a step further, I don’t imagine I can be adequate in any of these characteristics without help from God… so it forces us to call upon and lean on him for strength to shine in these areas. Coincidence? I think not.

Whether it’s justice, mercy or compassion the answer is that we can ALWAYS do better. These are the challenges of challenges that keep me on my toes to be the best friend, daughter, sister, co-worker, neighbor, and one day wife and mother, that I can possibly be. Can we agree that each of these qualities are something that the world needs more of?!

If it’s not clear, The Resolution for Women is a book that is absolutely worth the investment of your time and resources!