As a young teenager, I got caught up in “Christian” romance novels. All that entailed was God’s name being inserted haphazardly between pages that aroused romantic desires, and set forth unrealistic expectations about marriage.
Mercifully, a distaste developed for this kind of literature. It was largely predictable, and unedifying; hardly a wise use of time. I’ve often wondered if there was any Christian fiction in this genre at all worth commending to my own daughters.
In the context of marriage and family, how many fictional literary couples did I know that spurred each other on towards holiness, faced difficult situations with wisdom and grace, shared a mutual love and respect for each other, raised their children with a proper understanding of God’s Sovereignty and personal responsibility, and pursued a home life worth emulating?
None came to mind until recently, when Karen Andreola sent me a copy of her newest book, Michael’s Gentle Wife.
Set in the 1930s with no major plot line or cliffhangers, this book is easy to pick up and put down – perfect for busy mothers. It is an extraordinary work of Christian fiction in that it normalizes the mundane beauty of a functional family with a mature faith in Christ.
For anyone who did not grow up with this privilege, Michael and Carol Weaver offer a little window into the ebb and flow of a Christ-centered home, where selfless love is exhibited by prioritizing the needs of others, healthy habits and routines are established, hospitality and family worship are practiced, and childhood wonder is carefully protected and encouraged.
Karen’s writing motto is summed up by J.C. Ryle, who said, “Resolve that, by the grace of God, you will make Christianity beautiful in the eyes of the world.” I have found this to be true of all her books (Mother Culture and The Charlotte Mason Companion my favorites among them), and Michael’s Gentle Wife is no exception.
Michael’s Gentle Wife is practical wisdom wrapped up in narrative. I highly recommend it to you for a slow, easy-read. It pairs well with a pot of tea, and a notebook to jot down scores of useful tips and tricks to implement in your own family story.