Books to Give Your Christian Mom This Mother's Day

Buying your Christian mom a book for Mother's Day is not exactly an original concept, something akin to buying your dad a tie for Father's Day, but with some thought and effort, it can be a cherished gift that your mom will never forget. Knowing what your mom likes and needs will go a long way to choosing the right book. Thankfully, a wealth of Christian books on a myriad of subjects are available to provide you with exactly what you need.

As a general rule, Mother's Day is a day to say "thank you" or celebrate the institution of motherhood. That usually means staying away from certain types of books. Self-help or counseling books should be off limits: even from a Christian perspective, you do not want to imply that your mom needs help or should seek some personal improvement. Remember, your mom is perfect, and your book choice should reinforce that. Christian romance books should be avoided. Although it is a popular genre in Christian fiction today, romance books are a bit inappropriate for Mother's Day, especially if your mother is widowed, divorced, or otherwise single. Of course, these rules don't apply if your mother specifically asks for or mentions her desire to get a book from one of these genres.

Don't assume you know what sort of reading your mother may like. Quiz her without being too obvious that you are fishing for ideas for a Mother's Day gift. Preface any inquiry with a mention of a book you are reading, and then ask if she is currently reading anything. It may provide an opening to her thoughts and wishes.

Once you've decided what to buy, you need to know where to buy. For your best chance of finding the book you want, or finding a wide selection of similar books, you should visit a Christian bookstore instead of a regular bookstore, where the Christian section may only consist of a shelf or two. There are nationwide Christian bookstore chains, like Family Christian and Lifeway. There are also regional chains like Mardel, and a large number of independent Christian bookstores. Independent stores may have a more diverse selection, and tend to be a good place to get suggestions from the staff. Consult your yellow pages or the internet to find a store near you.

Inspirational books of encouragement are popular choices. They come from a number of well-known writers, but don't overlook lesser known authors who may have specialized works. Among some books worth considering are:

1001 Things It Means to be a Mom, by Harry H. Harrison, Jr., from Thomas Nelson Books. All the little, unappreciated things take center stage in this funny, uplifting book. Mothers of all kinds will identify with and enjoy this work.

I'm Glad I'm a Mom, edited by Jill Savage, from Harvest House. Featuring 50 great stories from moms, including Liz Curtis Higgs and Julie Barnhill, all relaying experiences that most mothers will identify with. A very funny book, and one that husbands and kids should read just to understand just how hard it is to be a mom.

Inspiring Words for Women, by Darlene Sala, from Barbour Books. Sala, one of the co-founders of Guidelines Ministries, has written a touching, effective book that comes in a small hardcover size that is perfect to carry around in a purse. The stories are great pick-me-ups for moms on the go. Each story includes a "Take A Breath" section that gives readers a little assignment to help them take the next step in their walk with the Lord.

The Power of a Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian, from Harbour House Books. Stormie is a singer, speaker, and author, and the wife of Grammy winner and producer of "We Are the World" Michael Omartian. Stormie relays the challenges she faces with a busy professional life and a husband in the entertainment business, and finds that they aren't much different from what the average wife faces. The book is one of a series focusing on the marriage relationship, and is suitable for couples young or old.

Stories for the Heart, compiled by Alice Gray, from Multnomah Books. Featuring stories from Billy Graham, Max Lucado, and Paul Harvey, among others, this collection is grouped under particular themes, like "Family" and "Compassion." Stories are usually short, only a couple of pages for many, which makes it a good choice for bedtime reading.

Devotionals make great gifts, and are often read over and over by owners, since stories or mini-sermons are meant to be read on a daily basis. Some popular examples are:

Night Light for Parents, by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, from Multnomah Books. Don't let the title fool you: this is a book for parents with children of any age, not just young kids. Many of the subjects deal with teen and young adult issues. Written in Dobson's easy style with a heavy dose of common sense, it makes for a satisfying read.

On the Anvil, by Max Lucado, from Tyndale Books. Regardless of age, we are all on a journey in our relationship with God. Lucado, more so than any other author, knows the challenges and finds strength and inspiration in the stories of the Bible. The title refers to how life's adversities forge and toughen us like steel in the hands of a blacksmith. On the Anvil is considered a classic book and a must read.

The Official Soccer Mom Devotional, by Lynne Thompson, from Regal Books. By featuring stories the average "soccer mom" can relate to, Thompson passes along encouragement and spiritual truths with more than a helping of laughter. The book includes 50 separate devotionals, which are relatively short and easy to read.

Prayers That Avail Much For Mothers, by Germaine Copeland, from Harrison House Books. Copeland, the founder of Word Ministries, has written a series of Prayers That Avail Much books, and this one gives mothers a number of Biblically-based prayers to say to find strength and inspiration from the pressures of the everyday. Her writing is so powerful that many who read it give it to new mothers as gifts.

You can't go wrong with good fiction, and Christian fiction has offered up some great titles in recent years. Some recommendations include:

Blessed Child and A Man Called Blessed, by Ted Dekker and the late Bill Bright, Westbow Press. This two book series is a riveting tale from acclaimed suspense author Dekker (whose book Thr3e was made into a feature film) and Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bright. The story involves a young child with mysterious healing powers, and the people who are trying to protect him. He holds a secret that sets up the sequel, so don't let your mother read the back of the second book until she finishes the first!

The Fall of Lucifer, by Wendy Alec, from Realms Books. Though the title may sound like something from the mind of Stephen King, the book is actually the story of three angelic brothers. The book weaves a tale that plays out Lucifer's rebellion against God, and how his brothers Michael and Gabriel may have fought him. Books that tell literally of spiritual warfare are popular in Christian fiction, but this book is more character driven, focusing on relationships over action.

The Veritas Conflict, by Shaunti Feldhahn, from Multnomah Books. With a strong female protagonist, this book features themes of honesty and inner strength in the face of overwhelming peer pressure. The book tells the story of a Harvard student who finds her beliefs challenged. It is a strong, well written morality tale.

Your local Christian bookstore has many more books like these available. Ask a worker at the store for some recommendations. They may know of a hidden gem that your mother may love.