Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's Weary Soul [Paperback]

Elisabeth K. Corcoran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2001

More than thirty engaging devotions full of humor, encouragement, and meditations on God's Word. An honest look at a mother's world and practical advice on common experiences. (20040603)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Calm in My Chaos takes an honest look at a motherís world and offers practical advice on common experiences. (WRGN )

From the Back Cover

“A wonderful encouragement. . . . [Calm in My Chaos] takes the Word and weaves it through the experiences of a mother’s day. A wonderful book.”

—Carol Jo Brazo
author of No Ordinary Home

At times, a mother’s life can be anything but inspiring—2 am feedings, loneliness, no vacation days, sibling rivalries. Even the best intentions of raising God-fearing, obedient, happy kids can spiral downward in the midst of her chaos.

Calm in My Chaos takes an honest look at a mother’s world and offers practical advice on common experiences including:

Being content in every circumstance
Modeling God-like characteristics
Overcoming cabin fever
Making and keeping friends
Being the “real” you

Humor, encouragement, and the truths of God’s Word are woven through these brief stories to give encouragement to other moms.

“Mom, read and be blessed!”       

    —Lorraine Pintus
author of Diapers, Pacifiers, and Other Holy Things

Elisabeth K. Corcoran keeps busy as mom to Sara and Jack and wife to Kevin. She knows that motherhood is exhilarating, tiring, scary, joy-filled, frustrating, boring, and awe-inspiring all at the same time—this has created her passion to minister to other moms through friendships, the women's ministry at her church, and her writings. She holds a degree from Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois, and has been published in The Joyful Woman magazine.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 155 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (January 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825423880
• ISBN-13: 978-0825423888
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elisabeth lives with her husband, Kevin, and middle-school children, Sara and Jack, in Illinois. She is the author of He Is Just That Into You, a collection of essays about God's faithfulness and love; the devotionals, In Search of Calm and Calm in My Chaos; and the monthly column, "Moments for Mom". She is on the Advisory Team of MOPS' MomSense magazine. After ten years of leading Women's Ministry and four years on staff at Christ Community Church, she devotes her time to speaking and writing, along with her passions of social justice and AIDS, which she engages in through her connections with Open Door Clinic and her church's partnerships in Africa.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Mothers and Women of all ages, February 22, 2001

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's Weary Soul (Paperback)

I recently had the opportunity to read Calm in My Chaos while traveling cross country on a crowded airplane. My fellow travellers must have wondered what was going on with me...alternating between furious highlighting and underlining, giggles, sobs of emotion and lots of head nodding and smiles. Beth Corcoran's book touched my soul in a way few others have - it spurred me to immediate action. The book is organized into short chapters with "personal touch" life application opportunities and brief devotional offerings at the conclusion of each chapter. Beth's writing style is consice, witty and touching. By the end of the first few chapters, you feel as though you know this woman like a sister or a dear friend and you want to reach out and share your heart with her. The "personal touch" issues will provoke meaningful life change in women of any age, regardless of whether or not you have young children. Beth's goal is to help us grow closer to God and to grow as women, individuals and mothers. The book is a quick and enjoyable read, but you will find yourself coming back to sections and rereading again and again. I would highly recommend this book!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calm in My Chaos - March 3, 2001, March 2, 2001

By 

Lois Clements (Minooka, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's Weary Soul (Paperback)

Through a God-given gift, Elisabeth K. Corcoran has written an amazing book that mothers and women of all ages will relate to and be encouraged by. I took time out of my own chaos to read this book from cover to cover in one sitting. I am so glad that I did! My relationships with God, my daughter, and my husband will benefit from it, too. This book is personal, honest, humorous, thought provoking, touching, inspiring, comforting, and life changing. Beth is a wonderful example of a Godly woman, mother, and wife. She has helped me put my "chaos" in order and proper perspective by putting many of my own thoughts and feelings into words. This book is very refreshing to read, and it has helped renew the joy of my salvation. It celebrates motherhood, which is the greatest privilege that God has blessed me with. Mothers, our children are only ours to borrow for a little while, so enjoy them while we can! Read Calm in My Chaos and be blessed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight to read :-)!, February 28, 2001

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's Weary Soul (Paperback)

Being a mother, I can't help but relate to the many inspiring stories that are in the book, "Calm in My Chaos", by Elisabeth Corcoran. Each of the stories she has written, each thought, each dream and experience, has been captured and shared in a book for all to read.

Elisabeth touches upon moments in her life that made an impact - both profound and everlasting. She discusses many personal experiences, including the birth of her child and personal reflections. Included in each story are Christian prayers and bible passages, which lend additional support and encouragement to those of the Christian faith. Readers, especially mothers, will no doubtedly be able to relate to Elisabeth's words. In fact, she shares so many personal experiences that readers may find themselves thinking of her as a close friend. I myself have related a few of her stories to experiences and situations in my own life.

My ParenTime recommends "Calm in My Chaos" - it is very well written and beautifully expressed.