I was thrilled to be asked to provide a book review for Karina Lumbert Fabian & Deacon Steven Lumbert’s Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life.
Let me start with – I loved this book. It is such a wonderful testament to God and how His love fills our lives in the simplest ways , astonishing us with his abundant grace. I am not a cradle Catholic; I was raised in the Methodist church, in a devout and committed family, and spent my childhood involved in Bible study, church choir, and youth activities. I met my husband, and started attending mass with him. My parents – especially my mom – were devastated at what they perceived to be a horrible affront to my upbringing. My husband and I were married in the Methodist church, but I promised him that I would raise our children Catholic, and that I would consider converting.
It took me another nine years to make that decision, but once it was made, I knew that it was right for me, for my husband, for our two daughters, and later, for our two sons. I am still growing in faith, and realized long ago that it isn’t the huge, life-changing moments that shape our faith relationship with God, but the constant, steady everyday expression of love that binds us to Him! The life lessons presented in Why God Matters spoke to me in so many ways, I’m not sure I could pick a single one that didn’t address some aspect of my life as I know it! The one that is still resonating with me a week later is “Great faith is not achieved at once, but in small steps over time.” Finding God in the ordinariness of every day life – I can’t think of a better way to explore and expand my own faith journey.
I like the way each chapters tell a very real life story and then shows the lesson learned. Each chapter is rounded out with Biblical references and quotes from Catechism of the Catholic Church. Like Ms. Fabian states, “I want a relationship with God. I just don’t want it to be “personal.” I want a relationship that encompasses all of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One where he is all-powerful as he is all loving, where he listens to my trivial concerns with benevolence and maybe amusement–yet one where I can rage and share all and come crawling to him when I’m weak and confess my wrongdoings, knowing that no matter how small and wretched I am, he will be there for me, because after all, he is God.”
It truly is the simple moments in our lives where we find God. Ms. Fabian and Deacon Lumbert gently remind us of that with their book Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life.
Want more? Click here to read an excerpt from Chapter Two. You won’t regret it.
Keeping the Faith 
Dear Angela,Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about my dad's and my book. I'm so glad that it spoke to you!I saw your “Skinny me!” blog, and had to laugh, because this year is my “shrink my big butt” year, too. We joined haidong gumdo, Korean sword martial arts, which is very fun, and I started doing rosary walks. (The Rosary Workout by Peggy Bowers is wonderful!) Don't think I'll ever run marathons, but it feels good to be exercising again.Keep up the great work! God bless.Karina Fabian
Angela – thanks for beautifully expressing the heart of the book:”… I realized long ago that it isn’t the huge, life-changing moments that shape our faith relationship with God, but the constant, steady everyday expression of love that binds us to Him!”SO TRUE!I'm glad that 'Why God Matters' spoke to you and that you loved the book.Thank you for sharing it with your blog readers.Best wishes,NicoleTribute Books