Book Review: Real Love for Real Life by Andi Ashworth
Real Love for Real Life: The Art and Work of Caring by Andi Ashworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Own. I would probably give this 3.5 stars if I could.
I liked the book. But, I’m not sure who its audience is. I thought she was making the case for “caregiving” being a calling greater than that of the general Christian calling, and at times I saw that as so. At other times, it seemed that anyone, Christian or no, could practice “caregiving” as she describes it. I’m not sure she made her case that it is a Christian “vocation” beyond the call all Christians have to feed, quench thirst, visit, etc. So, because I’m not sure whether I was her intended audience here (or indeed who is the audience), I have some feelings of ambivalence about the book.
I will say though, that I felt inspired at times as I read, to be more intentional in feeding, quenching, visiting, etc. To be more a part of my neighborhood. To be a vital member rather than a hanger-on.
Mrs. Ashworth’s stories are generally interesting, and help pull the reader through the book as real-life examples help show the viability of this “art and work of caring.”