The Book That Changed My Life—A Woman After God’s Own Heart

My next instalment of “The Book That Changed My Life” is from Mrs Lumpuma Kayombo. For 10 years she worked as my office assistant at Kabwata Baptist Church until she got married to Pastor Ndonji Kayombo. She is now a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Kitwe, Zambia, the church that her husband pastors. God has blessed them with a 3 month old daughter, Wenyi.  She serves in the children’s ministry in the church where she teaches Sunday school. Well, let us hear about the book that changed Lumpuma’s life…

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I first came across the book, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, by Elizabeth George, about six years ago when a housemate of mine borrowed the book from a friend. I did not pay too much attention to it then because I was single and thought it was a book for those who were married or preparing to get marriage. However, I did realise that it was a popular book because there were a number of women waiting to read the copy that my housemate had. A few years later, a friend of mine who is a bookshop manager recommended that I buy a copy. And, being the good marketer that she is, I bought it not fully realising what a precious treasure I had just acquired.

In A Woman After God’s Own Heart, Elizabeth George writes about how a woman can grow in her walk with the Lord through reading the scriptures regularly; and, with God’s word as a foundation, is able to look after her home, her husband, and her children, and minister to others in a God-glorifying way. Elizabeth also highlights how having your priorities right helps you to grow spiritually and to give out to others.

God must be at the top of the list, followed by your husband, children, the home, and lastly other people that God brings your way. Practising these priorities daily helps you to manage your time and energy, and basically have control over your life. Elizabeth, however, encourages flexibility, bearing in mind the providential acts of God. She also talks about developing yourself spiritually for your own benefit and the benefit of others.

As I began to read the book I saw how instructive it was in dealing with one’s relationship with God, and how one could truly be a woman after God’s own heart whether single or married and whether working or at home. My friend and I decided to study this book together with three other friends. We would read the book in our own time and schedule a day to review the particular chapter and point out the lessons we had learned, encouraging one another to apply them in our individual lives. We would then pray for our individual needs and particularly that we would live our lives according to the lessons learned that day.

The book helped me to understand more deeply the need for me to maintain my spiritual life because it affects all areas of my life and that I can only do this by being close to God and rooted in his word. It helped me realise the need to meet with the Lord regularly for me to have a fruitful Christian life and glorify God in the way I handle various issues in my life as a woman. The choices you make in life depend on your life’s priorities!

Elizabeth George

I learned to keep my priorities right while I was still single and saw the spiritual benefit of doing so and being in charge of my life. I’ve been married for 2 years and 10 months now and have continued benefitting from this principle. When I got married, I had to change towns and so decided to start another reading club with another friend and we continued reading through A Woman After God’s Own Heart. She has also found it very beneficial and recently used it to counsel a young lady preparing for marriage.

Thanks for this book, Elizabeth. God is using it to bless many hearts!