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In this Christian-themed book, author Tedford reminds us that human life entails risks and courage. To live a godly life, we may need to change our attitudes and pay attention to even such apparently small things as cursing. Our relationships should be of high quality. Marriage can be a test, but if we “fight fair,” respect, and not denigrate our partner, we can dedicate that partnership to a higher purpose. We must learn to forgive and forget the sins of the past, in ourselves and others. Parents need to raise their children to respect them from the earliest stages of life, not merely by discipline but by demonstrating their own good character. We can be generous with our time even when we struggle financially and show our faith in God by the way we handle our resources. And we can pray, daily increasing “our intimacy with the Lord.”
In this intelligent, well-organized examination of ordinary life and how it can be transformed through a relationship with God, Tedford offers sound, practical advice. Based on her work as a rancher’s wife and rural veterinarian, she uses many images drawn from that experience. She relates the management of destructive speech to the way that even a large horse can be controlled by means of a bridle and bit. She compares the storms of life to the actual storms that beset her family and their neighbors; how we handle such events reveals our faith. Moved to share her thoughts after a severe winter storm in her region in 2013, Tedford has deftly combined her heartfelt Christian convictions with colorful ranching lore and a positive outlook rooted in real happenings and common feelings. By presenting the gospel message in such a uniquely grounded way, her book offers an innovative approach to faith-based living.