Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I read a good chunk of this book in a café/coffee shop. The waiter gave me a very odd look when he saw the subtitle of this prettily packaged volume, 31 Devotions For Single Mums. I didn't attempt to assure the curious waiter that I wasn't suffering from serious gender delusions; neither did I tell him that despite its target audience this book had some useful tips and insights in it for everyone, male or female, married or single, in how to cope with the pressures of life, be they financial or emotional and how to deal with human beings who badly let us down. Nikki Leonti, as she was in her teenage years, was a Christian music star. In the '80s her two albums were big sellers and although she never quite made it to the heights of an Amy Grant, her CCM career was taking an upward trajectory until it was suddenly announced that she had become pregnant out of wedlock. After years of obscurity and two failed marriages, she re-emerged in 2016 with the Edgar Family Band, who were semi-finalists on season 11 of America's Got Talent. She is now a popular speaker across the US and this book of devotions will undoubtedly further her popularity. All Things Beautiful is crammed full of practical advice: how setting a regular time for children's bedtime actually gives them helpful boundaries; how pride shouldn't stop you from seeking help from others in the herculean task of single parenthood; and finding solace from loneliness in God. Her spiritual insights are interspersed with hearteningly frank admissions of failures and mistakes. As I've already said, many of her insights have relevance for all. Take this extract: "Trust fully that God will take anything that you are worried about or ashamed of and turn it around in such a way that you won't even recognise what your past looks like. He has dreams, visions, opportunities and a testimony for you that will show all the people in your life what a wonderful and awesome God you serve." In its own way, this charming little book has the capacity to touch many lives.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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