Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen : Ordinary Snowflakes

Jennifer Rodewald’s book Ordinary Snowflakes is the perfect wintery read for this time of year. It is light and funny, and contains a marvelous lesson and reminder to all of us—God does see us, and He hears us when we call. Even when we think He is a million miles away. One of my favorite quotes from this book is, “Our God is inexplicably enamored with us, even in our very ordinary lives.” This philosophy is something that Kale Brennan will eventually come to understand on a deeper level. She has seen grace displayed in the life of her daughter, and soon she will believe it can apply to her own life as well.

Kale is a woman, who like many, juggles various jobs and duties each and every day. As she strives to take proper care of her daughter, Sydney, she also works hard at the local coffee shop, which is where she continuously worries about her daughter’s health. Perhaps her mind could rest a bit if Sydney’s physical therapist did not come in every single day to order his usual hot cup of cocoa. Even though he tries to put her mind at ease when it comes to Sydney, Kale cannot help but blame herself. She has so much doubt about her capabilities as a mother, and she wishes she could be more and do more for her family.

Even though Joe’s first responsibility is to take care of Sydney, he cannot help but think about her mother. Is she taking care of herself? He wonders what he can do to make the load lighter for her. He sees the weight of Sydney’s troubles on her shoulders, and he wants her to let go and let God take care of her. But Kale will not relent. How can he make her see the truth?

Despite everyday struggles, Kale must learn how to be the perfect mother and daughter. However, there are so many moments where she forgets she is the daughter of the King, and He is there to help her when she calls. No matter what she may be facing, He will face it with her. Will she ever understand how special she is to her Creator?

I love that this book touches on so many applicable topics for the reader to mediate on, because these very issues are prevalent in so many people’s lives. We all have struggles, but it is how we deal with them that counts. Thankfully, we have a God we can run to in times of peril. When Kale thinks her world is shattering, she begins to learn some very important lessons. Of course, with anything, time is key. And with each step, Kale soon discovers what she was looking for all along.

This novella is a wonderful read for anyone wanting to see a journey of love, forgiveness, and second chances. Be sure to make a cup of hot cocoa to go along with this book too—you will not be disappointed! Family, faith, and love are the key ingredients to this text, and you do not want to miss a moment of Kale and Sydney’s wonderful story. Happy reading and Happy Christmas!

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Singing Librarian Books for my copy.

Genre: Adult, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Novella
Publisher: Rooted Publishing
Publication date: November 7, 2016
Number of pages: 118

Someone has noticed me. A secret admirer? A man with a good heart, who sees how much I actually need help, even though I never admit it? Maybe this is the beginning of a beautiful story—a romance full of hope and second chances and love.

Maybe…

A secret Santa gift left on Kale Brennan’s front porch opens up a fresh view of her ordinary life, and perhaps of God. Maybe she does matter. Maybe God sees her—as does a new-to-town music teacher who has her seven-year-old daughter gushing and her own knees buckling with his killer smile. But as Kale embraces new possibilities, a staple in her life—a man who is kind and steady, not to mention necessary for her injured daughter’s recovery—also snatches her attention in an unexpected way. Will the one pursuing her with his secret gift and kind gestures be the one her heart longs for in the end?

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Jennifer Rodewald is passionate about the Word of God and the powerful vehicle of story. The draw to fiction has tugged hard on her heart since childhood, and when she began pursuing writing she set on stories that reveal the grace of God.
Jen lives and writes in a lovely speck of a town where she watches with amazement while her children grow up way too fast, gardens, and marvels at God’s mighty hand in everyday life. Four kids and her own personal superman make her home in southwestern Nebraska delightfully chaotic.
She would love to hear from you! Please visit her at https://www.authorjenrodewald.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjenrodewald or email her at write2edify@gmail.com.

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1. What inspired the idea for the novella Ordinary Snowflakes? What do you want readers to take away from reading your novella?
Honestly, after I finished writing Red Rose Bouquet, which was a heavier book, I needed a break. I prayed for something lighter, fun, and something that would remind me of the joy of writing (not that RRB wasn’t a joy, but like I said, it was heavy, and it was a hard book to write). Ordinary Snowflakes was God’s answer to that prayer. I didn’t expect to be served a lesson in it, but God did, and I am so delighted. I hope my readers find what I found—that God sees. He loves. He smiles down on us, even though our lives may seem painfully ordinary. We are crafted and loved by an extraordinary God.

2. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about it?
Oh boy… well, I started NaNo today (it’s Nov 1 as I write this), and that WIP is tentatively called Evergreen. It is book three—and the final book—in the Grace Revealed series (Blue Columbine and Red Rose Bouquet). Foster care, marriage stress, and perfectionism all factor into that story. I’m taking a deep breath…

Also, I’m working on a YA dystopian series, which I hope to have out the first book early next year. We’ll see about God’s timing on that one. J

3. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did becoming an author ever cross your mind?

Interesting question…what I wanted to be and what I thought I could do weren’t the same thing. I wanted to be a writer—didn’t think that was a “real” option, though. So, I became a teacher, which interestingly enough, I loved. I stopped teaching when my second daughter was born, so I’ve been out of the classroom for about 13 years, but I still love teaching, and interacting with kids, via Awana and Jr. High Sunday school.

4. What period of history interests you the most? Why?
I’d have to say probably WWII, because I am always trying to wrap my head around how evil so quickly and effectively took over so much of our globe. It also seemed to be a point in modern history that shifted how most people viewed life. With regards to that, though, I’d have to say the Reformation period also commands my attention—so interesting to see light battle darkness, and a reminder that our fight is not against flesh and blood.

5. As this is a holiday novella, what is your favorite holiday tradition?
Well, that’s an interesting one too, because right now my favorite tradition is actually for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. A few years back, my family served with a group at our church on Thanksgiving Day. We served over 150 people in our community a full-fledged Thanksgiving meal. That really redefined what Thanksgiving is for us, and now we are in charge of that annual meal. We love it. It’s hard work, and it takes a lot of people pulling together, but being a part of our community, serving people, and understanding that Thanksgiving is an action, not a call to gluttony, has really sharpened our focus on the kind of people God has asked His disciples to be. It reminds me from that day forward, into the next year and beyond, that compassion and service are a pair of the most powerful tools Jesus left His people for His kingdom work.