Jill Savage - Real Moms...Real Jesus: Meet the Friend Who Understands

Drawing from the life of Christ and illustrated by examples from her own life, Jill shares practical insight for mothers. She reminds us that in both the daily routines and the crises of life, we have a true Friend who has walked in our shoes and enables us by His grace to follow in His steps.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, author, Revive Our Hearts radio host

One word came to me time and time again as I read through the pages of this wonderful book: Complete. Jill Savage has written a spiritually grounded, totally applicable book for the mom who is right now, in the trenches of motherhood. Jill steps in as an honest friend and holds your hand as you make your way through your days. As you read youll find your soul encouraged and your faith strengthened. Buy the book and make the time to read it. Youll be better for it.

Susie Larson, author, speaker, frequent radio host

Even on my craziest mom days, Ive known Jesus loves me, sustains me, and forgives me. But never once had I realized that He got methat He understood what a day being tugged at, called for, and clung to was like. So when Jill shows us that Jesus indeed gets how trying our lives as mothers can be, it was news to me. But just like everything else with Jesus, it was Good News! Every mom needs to read this book. Discovering that Jesus is indeed a Friend who understands changed my perspective on mothering and expanded my friendship with Jesus. What a wonderful book!

Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira, mother of three, columnist for Todays
Christian Woman, and author of Mamas Got a Fake I.D

I laughed. I cried. I was thankful for a Real Mom named Jill who took the time to encourage other moms to find a Real Friend in the Real Jesus. Every chapter was a treat to read! Dive into the pages of this book and revive a friendship you may have had for days, weeks, months, or yearsor maybe establish a brand new one.

Kendra Smiley, conference speaker and author of the PARENTING
LIKE A PRO series (ParentingLikeAPro.com)

Jill Savage has unlocked the secret of sanity for mothers worldwide! I agree with Jill that the Real Jesus is the one vital relationship that makes all other relationships work well. Every mom will find solid practical help and hope on the pages of Real Moms .. Real Jesus. If every mother owned this book there would be many more happy moms, kids, and husbands!

Pam Farrel, bestselling author of Men are like Waffles, Women are like
Spaghetti, 10 Best Decisions a Parent Can Make and Got Teens?

Meet the Friend
Who Understands

JILL SAVAGE

Moody Publishers
CHICAGO

2009 by

J ILL S AVAGE

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE or MSG are from The Message, copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked naSb are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. www.alivecommunications.com

Cover design: Julia Ryan | www.DesignByJulia.com

Cover photo: JupiterImages Corporation

Interior design: Julia Ryan |www.DesignByJulia.com

Images/Photos: 2008 www.iStockphoto.com, 2008 JupiterImages Corporation

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Savage, Jill, 1964

Real moms real Jesus : meet the friend who understands / Jill Savage.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-8024-8361-4

1. MothersReligious life. 2. Jesus ChristPerson and offices. 3. Spirituality. I. Title.

BV4529.18.S26 2009

248.8431dc22

2008037009

We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

Moody Publishers

820 N. LaSalle Boulevard

Chicago, IL 60610

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Printed in the United States of America

You are my friends when you

do the things I command you....

Ive named you friends because Ive let you in on

everything Ive heard from the Father.

Jesus Christ

This book is dedicated to my children

Anne, Evan, Erica, Kolya, and Austin.

May my friendship with God lead the way

to your friendship with God.

And may you never forget that you

have a Savior who understands.

Chapter 1: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus served /
The truth about serving

.

Chapter 2: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus worshiped /
The truth about worship

Chapter 3: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus was compassionate and tender /
The truth about a gentle spirit

.

Chapter 4: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus was angry /
The truth about boundaries

Chapter 5: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus sacrificed /
The truth about sacrifice

Chapter 6: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus forgave /
The truth about forgiveness

.

Chapter 7: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus taught /
The truth about leading our children

.

Chapter 8: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus was confident /
The truth about our identity

.

Chapter 9: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus was tempted /
The truth about temptation

.

Chapter 10: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus wept /
The truth about our emotions

Chapter 11: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus prayed /
The truth about prayer

Chapter 12: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus trusted /
The truth about faith

Chapter 13: Discover Gods Truth: Jesus let go /
The truth about surrendering

A book is never the work of one person. It is a result of the combined efforts of dozens of people. With that in mind, special thanks goes to:

... my prayer partners who faithfully lift me up to the Lord. Special thanks to Becky for your fabulous communication with my prayer team.

... my manuscript readers MarLo, Diane, Julie, and Megan. Thank you for taking the time to read and give me valuable feedback. Diane, thank you for helping with research and keeping me as organized as possible. Youre a gift!

... my Hearts at Home team. Without you, this book would not exist. Thank you for your tireless work to encourage, educate, and equip women in the profession of motherhood.