Skip to main content

Why God Matters - A Review

It’s a question we have all pondered at least once. Does God matter? We all have debated the existential questions of our human existence, with others or silently in the depths of our own soul. Are we alone? Does what I do or say count? Why bother living a moral, virtuous life? Authors Karina Fabian and Deacon Steven Lumbert (who are father and daughter) attempt to demonstrate the answers to these types of critical questions of our time. Why does God matter?


The book Why God Matters provides example after example of seeing ordinary life through eyes of faith. Was it God’s hand in such ordinary daily occurrences? Was His angel sent to guide or protect in an emergency situation? Readers that view life as a series of co-incidences, luck or without the guidance of a loving paternal God, may not appreciate these examples of seeing God in daily life. Those with faith, even little faith, or limited beliefs in God will be able to relate to seeing the hand of Divine Providence in the ordinary.

Each chapter includes a specific memory of one of the authors and how they saw God acting in their lives at that particular time, how it impacted them, and the ultimate result. Each chapter’s memory corresponds to a bible verse as well as a Catechism of the Catholic Church quote, I assume in the attempt to relate each short story to the truths of the Catholic Faith.


As a busy mom, personally, what I appreciated most in reading this short book was the easy writing style, short and concise chapters, and the correlating scripture and CCC references to assist in the journey. It was as if each chapter was a blog post….the kind of posts I, myself, like to create. I, too, see my own personal blog as a way to compile and catalog all the daily ways I see myself finding God in little, ordinary ways, whether through my spouse, in my children, during my daily chores, and in my vocation calling from God, as wife and mother.

From Chapter Two:

"As a mother myself, I must now carry on this legacy by setting an example for my children. Far wealthier than my parents or grandparents ever were, we do our best to give to the Church and to charities—and we involve our children in that. We also do our best to be available to their friends as well as to them. This year, I pack an extra lunch each day for Amber’s best friend. It’s a little thing, yet it connects me to my grandmother somehow.


Last night, I made arroz con pollo. It’s a different recipe, because I’m not the cook my mother is, yet it brought me back to my past, and my mother’s past, and to roots deeply embedded in charitable love."

As we attempt to pass along our faith to our children, we need to communicate to them these little ways where we see God acting in our lives. Perhaps a quick mention of God given gifts so small as a passing butterfly, or the smell of a sweet flower or anywhere else where logic can’t explain, is exactly what can answer the ultimate question that even children will ask from time to time…..Why DOES God matter?

As we know in our heart, and see in this book, He matters because He is present and active in our lives, and most importantly, He is there regardless of our own personal faith level. It only takes seeing the ordinary as extra-ordinary because He is there.

This review was done at the request of Tribute Books. I have received no compensation for this review with the exception of an electronic version of Why God Matters. For more information on this book, visit: www.whygodmatters.com

Comments

Tribute Books said…
Thank you very much for hosting a stop on the tour for 'Why God Matters' and for sharing the book with your blog readers.

I loved your comment, "As we attempt to pass along our faith to our children, we need to communicate to them these little ways where we see God acting in our lives."

I also agree with you on how approachable Karina and Deacon Steve's writing style is. It's easy to read yet their message is profound.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the book.

Best wishes,
Nicole
Tribute Books
Karina Fabian said…
Thanks so much for sharing *Why God Matters* with your readers. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I never thought of the format at blog-post-ish, but you're right. They do have that feel.

It's good to know you're doing something similar with your blog. It's too easy at times to consider God as something big and unapproachable, when really, He's always there, even in the smallest and most ordinary ways.

Keep up the good work and thanks again for sharing your blog with my father and me.

Blessings,
Karina Fabian

Popular Posts

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize.  It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over.  Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection.  But that's not all.  It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on.  Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right.  With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well. 

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word, 

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick.  Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass.  For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving.  He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me.  I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom