In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God's Provision in a Land of Longing by Meredith McDaniel {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Although our circumstances vary, we all ache with a longing for something more. We are born with dreams, and some of us even have detailed plans about how to make them happen. Yet we all come to a point in life when we realize that we are not in control. A loved one gets sick, a tragedy occurs, our plans backfire. What we may not realize is that even if we can't depend on our circumstances or even ourselves, there is One who will always provide what we need, just when we need it.

With compassion and enthusiasm, Meredith McDaniel invites you to walk alongside God's people in Exodus as they wake up each morning to manna, God's provision for them in desert places. As she unfolds their story of complete dependence on their Creator, you'll discover through guided journaling how God is providing for you right now, where you are in your own unique story. Along the way, you will develop a comforting awareness that you are seen, guided, protected, and filled by a good God in the person of Jesus.

Meredith McDaniel is a licensed professional counselor and owner of her private practice Milk + Honey. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, she has also served on staff with Young Life and as the lead counselor with Inheritance of Hope. Meredith says she feels called to sit with and listen to the stories of women and men, helping them discover who they are and live out their lives more fully. She enjoys entering into the quieter places of people's lives in a safe setting to offer hope and help others taste of the land of milk + honey. She and her husband, Ben, have three young children and live in a small town near Charlotte, North Carolina.

Do you ever feel like you just need MORE?

Whether it's more money, more time, more friends, more talent, more whatever... chances are we have all had that feeling in one way or another. I feel like that is in our nature-- especially in this plentiful society we live in with it's Instagram worthy perfection, or so it seems. And so, it is because of that constant want for more that this book: In Want + Plenty- is going to be a much needed read for so many.

First and foremost, can we just talk about the beauty of this book!? I'll be honest, unless I'm in the right mindset for it, I find it is harder to really get investing in a nonfiction book compared to a fiction. These added highlights, illustrated quotes before each chapter and beautiful formatting actually really do help to keep me focused on what I am reading. I suppose I tend to be a visual person that way. It's a very simple design, and yet it really adds a lot to the pages.

Still, you can no more judge a book by the layout than you can the cover... the content must also be good too. And this one certainly is that. I love this unique way of taking a journey not only through Exodus, but through our own stories too. It really offers a lot of time for self reflection to help us get a better look at our own story and how we see it. By adjusting our views, we can see that God is always providing for us just as he provided to those in the desert. This isn't a particularly lighthearted read or even that much of a pleasureful read, but it is one that is oh so important. It's also one that is great for journaling with questions at the end of each chapter to dig into. You certainly don't have to write any of your thoughts down, but I do believe it would help to get the most out of this book. The inclusion of a song to listen to at the end of each chapter also is a really unique addition that I love. Music can be such a powerful impact on our thoughts, so I really enjoyed that.

Overall, a unique read and one that is certainly worth adding to your collection.