This is a very well written introduction to the doctrine of vocation as it pertains to women. Each chapter is written by a different author and I appreciated their unique perspectives. I wish it went a little bit deeper and leaned into scripture a bit more, but otherwise, I like and recommend it.

This was an overall enjoyable book about the gift that work is. It gave some new insights on how to view work and calling, but I wouldn’t say it was ground breaking in any way. I would recommend it.

{first posted here https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/biblical-truths-for-the-working-woman}

Not all work is glamorous.

It's work after all.

I've hoed beet fields - leaving blisters on my hands, picked at the conveyer belt on our potato farm - so I smelt like rotten potatoes, and picked sweet corn - where my guy friends chucked dirt clods at me until my cousin chased them with the 4 wheeler.

I worked at bible camp as a counsellor, taught swimming lessons and lifeguarded at local pool until I graduated university to begin my career as a nurse. At a superficial glance work has its requisite purpose of earning money, saving for a car and for school, but for believers, work isn't merely a task to be completed, it's an opportunity to shine our light to the world around us.

Women & Work: Bearing God's Image and Joining in His Mission Through Our Work is authored by a handful of Christian women living as fulcrums, balancing motherhood and ministry, with hearts devoted to using their gifts and abilities for the glory of God and the good of others.

They write to encourage women in their most important calling disciples of Christ and direct them towards biblical truth to guide the way they work.

The authors teach us work is good, work is fallen, work is redeemable and work is eternal; that God has created us in His image and equipped us for good works; and that the value of our lives is not measured in the productivity of our days. We're led to the parable of the talents, reminded to faithfully steward our unique giftings and to live worthy lives through our roles and relationships.

One reason I loved this book was that it's message rings so closely with my life.

I've always believed my work is ministry, caring for the sick with hands surrendered to the Lord Jesus, there's always been purpose embedded in my reason to work. Hearing - or rather, reading - these women share their experience and their life, it helped me feel less alone in my own calling, less isolated as a working woman, and affirmed in a biblical foundation for my work.

Something once again impressed upon me is the development of character.

Whether I was homeschooling my littles or working as a nurse, evidence of my sinful heart spews out, it's unavoidable. Patience grows weary, pride escalates, and when things don't go my way I bristle. I'm desperately in need of grace and the sanctifying work of the Spirit no matter where I am, who I'm with, or what I do. Christlikeness is our goal as disciples and the church and it's a reminder to me that in all things I'm working as unto the Lord and daily being given opportunities for humble repentance.

If you're a Christian woman who is looking for biblical truths about your calling and the purpose of your work, I'd highly recommend this book!

Quick Stats
# of pages: 208
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars

*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC (advanced reader copy) and for the opportunity to share an honest review.

Women and Work Moore et Al
Women and Work wasn’t a bad book, but the marketing definitely over-delivered. While there is some good ground-laying theological work in it, the book mostly assumed the biblical work and position on women working, so a lot of applications were application of assumptions. If you’re not on the same page as the authors, you probably won’t be convinced by anything. Also, I think that largely because of this as well as because of how much each essay was trying to pack in, much if not most of what was said applies to humans and work, which a few specifics for women. Implications of what that means for a woman and how that’s different from a man weren’t generally drawn out.

The best essays were the ones on worth and stewardship. Hannah Anderson’s on our bodies and work was my favorite in some ways, but also the one where I most wanted more. It was a great starting point on the topic, but needed more on the implications of what having a female body means on the question of women and work.

I have some minor disagreements (though I’d probably have had more had they done more foundational work), but my main issue is what was lacking, which made the book feel weak. If you’re looking for encouragement about your work, you’ll probably find something here, but if you’re looking for something more comprehensive and foundational—a “theology of work” as the blurb reads—then you’ll probably be disappointed.

Two stars according to the two stars means “it was ok” rating scale.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

Women & Work begins by painting a broad biblical vision for work (both inside and outside the home). Throughout the book, the different authors cover a range of work-related topics such as using your gifts to the glory of God, how work impacts motherhood as well as singleness, and healthy relationships in the workplace. I appreciated both the wisdom in this book and how easy it was to read.