Graceful Influence

I have read quite a few books about women of the Bible but this one was so refreshingly different. Roeleveld pairs up different women for each chapter to examine whether they used their influence for good and how their choices changed the course of history.

The opening line, “We owe Martha an apology” immediately drew me in. Because yes, we do. I love that Roeleveld immediately defended Martha because, “all of us who have judged her by a single moment, just one exchange in her relationship with Jesus, need to step back, and remember that Martha was a woman loved by God.” YES. I absolutely can relate to Martha, even though I would love to say, in that moment, I would have been Mary.

I know a lot of the women and their stories, but Roeleveld pairing them up, giving real life/relatable stories, and ending each chapter with additional resources was such a fresh take. I loved reading about the lesser know and unnamed women (like Orpah, Herodias’ daughter, Puah, Jehosheb, Sapphira, Tabitha, the wise woman of Abel, and so many others!).
Each chapter has a theme - humility, peacemaking, prayer, selflessness, to name a few. Roeleveld also wrote about each women with such grace and love - even the women who made massive mistakes. You can tell Roeleveld has a deep love and respect for women.

The chapters are not very long and easy to digest. Roeleveld wrote in a way that it feels like you are having a conversation over coffee and less like a lecture.

I would absolutely recommend this book to family and friends.

I find this book extremely helpful and insightful for a daily read. This is a book I will pick up to read each day.

Although I was not able to download this book on any of my formats, the current reviews look like it is a wonderful book. The women in the Bible certainly had a lot of influence in their day and in ours. Thank you for the information on this book.

Lori Roeleveld dives deep into little known and well-known women of the Bible and comes out with a volume that inspires, instructs, and invites us to look deeper into these sisters in Christ. Meaty yet brief in its delivery, each chapter spotlights a Bible woman pair we can relate to and learn from. Lori’s conversational tone comes alongside us as a wise friend and fellow traveler.

Lori Stanley Roeleveld's deep-dive into the lives of Biblical women is insightful and thought-provoking, and yet so relatable.

As I've been reading Graceful Influence, I've seen firsthand how applicable each chapter is in our daily lives today. Biblical women have much to teach us, and Roeleveld sheds light on those sometimes hidden, overlooked, or forgotten lessons. God's hand is all over this book, and I'm excited to see how He will use it in hearts and lives of all readers.

Graceful Influence, Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible by Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a book that clearly fit this season of my life. Each chapter looks at women from either the Old or New Testament, often comparing two women. Written as short chapters, it is longer than some I have read. Still, it is not too long and very interesting so it could be used each day. The format is easy to follow with the chapter on the woman or women, the scripture from which the women’s story is found along with extra scripture references and then the application for us today or the Battle as it is titled. One of the most insightful comments at the end of each chapter is the Bottom Line, which is one big idea thought.

It is a thoughtful and questioning devotional. Opinions are sometimes given on the woman or the event, but it gives as such so that the reader will think more about it not necessarily to accept it all. Life is not so much different today. Yes, the times have changed but people are still people, so there is much to glean from these women’s struggles, challenges, and actions. Through each life there is shown God’s love, grace, and faithfulness.
4.5 Stars