You Matter More Than You Think: What a Woman Needs to Know about the Difference She Makes Book

I happened upon this book a couple of years ago at a local library book sale. I can't even remember why I picked it up. I just know that I did and that it's sat on my shelf for the past two years, or so. It has survived not one, but two book purging. As part of my Reading Challenge this year, I chose this book to read. (I have some fiction books on my list, but most of them are non-fiction. My rationalization: if I'm going to challenge myself to read at least 24 books this year, I don't want to waste my time.)

This book definitely did not waste my time. Dr. Leslie Parrott is a family and marriage counselor who hosts marriage conferences with her husband, Dr. Les Parrott. Dr. Parrott is also a Christian. In this book, she highlights the differences in men and women. Instead of downplaying these differences or elevating them to grandiose levels, she humbly relates these differences as strengths that not only set women apart from their male counterparts, but also serve as unique characteristics that we can use to make a difference in our worlds.

This isn't a "head shrinking" book. It's not a New Age book. It's simply an honest look at how the Creator made women different and what these differences look like in action. Her main focus is love - not self-serving or martyrdom - but love that seeks out those hurting or needing help; those who need encouragement. Love that hurts with friends hurt and rejoices when friends rejoice. "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13.13)