Editorial Reviews
Independent Book Review
https://independentbookreview.com/2024/07/22/book-review-see-the-good-god-in-everything-vol-1/
Regina Clifford’s See the Good/God in Everything is an entry-style memoir that expounds on her journey as a born again Christian and her desire for motherhood.
Rather than present a perfect, masked version of her adventures as a new mother, Clifford opts to be honest about the grime hidden underneath. She speaks about the difficulties of becoming a stepmother to adult children, going through infertility, and rebuilding her relationship with her family while keeping her religion at the forefront. Writing became her way of sharing her highest and lowest moments as a new mother and to reflect on her lived experiences. Her recollections are candid but polite and always end with a prayer and a section from the Bible.
The first chapters are dedicated to being a new mother, and they are thoughtful and pragmatic. There are no added airs to save face. I loved and appreciated the detail— from her daughter’s quirks to a life abroad and all the way down to a lack of intimacy. How many religious women have faced similar issues but felt unsure on how to proceed? In such instances, Clifford’s writing can feel like an oasis, where devout wives can see themselves reflected. There’s a wonderful humility in See the Good/ God in Everything that makes it fun to pick up and continue.
Clifford’s devotion to improving herself as a friend, family member, and mother is depicted in a likable, straightforward way. Her admissions—like thinking she was slightly perfect before her marriage—make the experience feel honest. It’s hard to admit things like that. She puts herself out there and doesn’t prevaricate in this memoir, writing extensively on assimilating to the life of marriage and having to co-exist while keeping her own identity. I especially enjoyed her emphasis on the importance of prioritizing her needs and wants. This book is also a genuine, raw depiction of IVF, from the failures to the successes.
While many entries are easy to follow, it can be a bit hard other times to know where she is writing from: the Middle East, Australia, or somewhere else. I’d be engrossed in a passage only to realize that it was set much later than the previous entry. In the end, I was most drawn to her sections while living in the Middle East. There are some particularly illuminating passages about issues that tested her patience and compassion at that point in her life.
See the Good/God in Everything is definitely recommended for Christian mothers who could use a helping hand. Clifford’s book is filled with pious advice for when life gets challenging.—Reviewed by Toni Woodruff for Independent Book Review (July 4, 2024)
Novels Alive Review
Change is an inevitable part of life, but how we relate to it can make a significant difference in our perception.
Author Regina Clifford takes ten topic areas and shares short stories, including a prayer and Bible verse for each one, in See the Good/God in Everything.
These bite-sized uplifting stories focus on challenging roles or themes in a woman’s life, ranging from being a new mom to forgiveness and growing up. When circumstances are difficult, the author suggests looking for a different perspective or being flexible.
The prayers offer scripted opportunities to really focus on the key issues, enabling the readers to effectively communicate their fears. The Bible verse adds another layer of encouragement. Pulled together by a beautiful cover featuring flowers and butterflies, this book serves as a beacon of inspiration.
See the Good/God in Everything takes the good, bad, and ugly and repurposes it into stories of gratitude, hope, and joy.—Reviewed by Amy Wilson for Novels Alive (June 28, 2024)
Literary Titan Review
https://literarytitan.com/2024/06/27/see-the-good-god-in-everything/
Regina Clifford’s See the Good/God in Everything presents a compelling case for gratitude as the right approach to handling life’s challenges. Through an inspiring and deeply personal account of motherhood, faith, and everything in between, Clifford invites readers to seek divine purpose and goodness in their everyday struggles. Structured as a collection of heartfelt reflections and prayers, each snippet focuses on different aspects of human life.
Clifford punctuates these reflections with Bible verses and prayers that offer comfort and invite readers to reflect on their life experiences. Her simple, accessible, and conversational approach makes the reader feel she understands your hardships and seeks to soothe you. Her candid sharing of her own life and struggles fosters a sense of camaraderie and connection, making readers feel they are not alone.
The author carefully and tactfully explores perceptions and challenges across different spheres of life, emphasizing that no experience is less valuable than another. She validates and hears the reader without them needing to unburden themselves. The rapport and sense of community she creates through her relatable narrations and occasional light humor prevent the book from becoming too heavy or overwhelming. One significant takeaway from this book, in addition to practicing gratitude, is the power of patience. Clifford assures readers that everything passes eventually, and all you need to do is get through today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Her honesty makes the book highly relatable, providing solace to readers who feel they are not alone in their struggles. The Bible verses are relevant and subtly integrated within the narrative.
See the Good/God in Everything is heartfelt and encouraging, offering honest and valuable hope and support. It serves as a much-needed reminder of God’s presence and the silver linings in life. Regina Clifford’s work will resonate with anyone who reads it, making it a universally relatable and uplifting read.—Reviewed by Literary Titan (June 27, 2024)
Feathered Quill Review
https://featheredquill.com/see-the-good-god-in-everything/
See The Good/God in Everything offers life advice from a woman who knows. Regina Clifford gained wisdom through life experience and through humble prayer. She is a wife and mother whose faith in God has been tested by challenges with fertility, marriage, family, blended family, faith, career, emigration, and friendship. Her marriage to a divorced, older man launched her into a life she did not expect. Through marriage, she gained five adult step children; turning to her faith in God helped her get through life’s challenges. Growing up Asian in Canada, living in the Middle East, being estranged from her family, then becoming an Australian resident inform her international perspective. Whether her insights come from relationships, fertility, marriage, travel, citizenship, baby care, love or forgiveness, Clifford confronts everything with honesty and a strong desire to release judgment and be open to self-improvement. This book is like having a good friend offer intimate and useful advice.
This book reads like journal entries, written by a God-loving soul on a contemplative journey through life today. Each journal entry begins with a provocative title such as: “Working Moms Are My Heroes” or “Check Your Heart Often” or “Be Prepared to Face Your Insecurities.” In each entry, the author describes some issue she confronts, the challenge she faced, and what she learned from it. Each entry ends with a short prayer of thanks to God and closes with a Bible verse that invites readers into further reflection on the topic.
For example, in “Happiness is an Inside Job,” Clifford considers societal notions of happiness, then describes a time when her husband was miserable, and explains what she did to stay strong and not let his misery get to her. She ends this passage with a verse from Proverbs.
This would be a good book to feature in a Bible study book club. It offers tools to cope with repeated rounds of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), repeated failures, endless hoping and getting hopes dashed but ultimately overcoming in the end. From these journal entries, readers get bits and pieces from the author’s life; however, this is not written as a memoir with any story arc. Sometimes the apparent randomness of the topics makes it hard to read in one sitting; nonetheless, this could be a useful book to open to any random page to read daily for quick bites of wisdom and inspiration. The author is purely delightful when she reveals herself through her quirky imagination: how does she deal with toxic thoughts? She visualizes putting bad thoughts into a giant golden toilet and flushing them down while two angels stand witnessing and protecting.
This book encourages keeping faith, and it offers strength, and even a little amusement, to anyone who may be seeking a friend. Clifford is a fellow mother who looks at life’s drama with honesty, humor, and scripture. Clifford discovers that to get into the Word more, all she had to do was put down her phone and pick up her Bible. Her advice is friendly and relatable. The balance of being both realistic and positive makes this book feel like it would be a perfect gift for a mother-to-be who loves to read, to journal, and to study the Bible.
Quill says: See the Good/God in Everything dazzles with wisdom and tenacity; it is a prayer book that holds motherhood and marriage inside a faithful heart, beating to the sounds of a prayerful mind.—Reviewed by Rebecca Jane Johnson for Feathered Quill (June 21, 2024)
Readers' Favourite Reviews
See the Good/God in Everything is a memoir by Regina Clifford, a first-time mom who shares her experiences, struggles, and insights on parenting, marriage, and life. The book is divided into sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of her life, such as being a new mom, wife, and mother. Clifford’s writing is relatable, humorous, and heartwarming as she shares her honest thoughts and feelings about the challenges and joys of parenting. Throughout the book, Clifford highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, using biblical quotes and personal anecdotes to illustrate her points. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care, gratitude, and forgiveness, encouraging readers to adopt these qualities in their own lives.
The structure is engaging and accessible, with each section flowing seamlessly into the next. The writing style is conversational, engaging, and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her experiences and emotions. Clifford’s witty observations and self-deprecating humor make the book entertaining, while her honest reflections on struggles and fears create a sense of authenticity and connection with readers. The themes of faith, gratitude, and forgiveness are well-developed throughout the narrative. Biblical quotes and personal anecdotes illustrate these themes and encourage readers to reflect on their spiritual journeys. See the Good/God in Everything is the author’s journey of faith and her insightful advice to mothers and parents. I marveled at the simplicity with which Regina Clifford shares her story and thoughts, offering inspirational passages for readers.—Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
Marriage, parenthood, and family dynamics are complex and challenging. However, Regina Clifford’s See the Good/God in Everything offers a heartfelt, authentic exploration of these themes through a personal narrative and scriptural reflections that are as engaging as they are inspiring. Whether you’re navigating the initial stages of motherhood or dealing with the daily challenges of a marital relationship, Clifford suggests that seeing the presence of God in every situation can transform perspectives and fortify your spiritual journey. She writes about her journey and skillfully weaves her prayers, best practices, and meditations into the book. Readers will discover the rich traditions she rediscovered after giving birth, adhering to rituals, and connecting to her faith.
Regina Clifford’s book is not about coping with life. It is more about celebrating it. Her prayers testify to this, as does her attitude toward tradition, such as celebrating major religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, and her experience that can be as much about church history as personal faith. It’s less about the commercial aspects and more about teaching the story of Jesus, celebrating His birth, acknowledging His death, and rejoicing in His resurrection. See the Good/God in Everything brilliantly captures the author’s faith, experience, and insights. It can be read as a self-help book, but the anecdotes are as humorous as they are informative. She writes about friendship, family, love, and marriage with conviction and charm. The biblical references are spot on and designed to move readers toward a greater consciousness of the presence of God in their unique human experiences.—Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite
Self-Publishing Review
https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2024/06/see-the-good-god-in-everything-by-regina-clifford/
“A hilarious, moving, and informative account of motherhood, See the Good/God in Everything: The Secret to Inspire Gratitude, Build Hope and Find Joy in Every Day by Regina Clifford is an inspiring guide, interspersed with prayers and biblical citations. Imbued with the author’s endearing sense of humor and her deep religious faith, the book touches on the most challenging aspects of being a wife, mother, daughter, and friend – touching on issues such as the role of intimacy in married life after the children are born to the literal messiness of raising children. Both a personal diary and a work of self-help, this original memoir is an excellent starting point for religious readers looking to start a family, using Clifford’s cautionary tales as both instruction and inspiration.” —Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½ (June 3, 2024)
Reader Views
https://readerviewsarchives.wordpress.com/2024/05/23/see-the-good-god-in-everything-clifford/
“See the Good/God in Everything, Vol. 1: The Secret to Inspire Gratitude, Build Hope, and Find Joy in Every Day” is an earnest motivational Christian self-help book that draws on Regina Clifford’s experiences as a wife, mother, friend, and Christian.
Regina starts by pointing out that nothing remains the same when a baby is born—a new mother is also born. Upon giving birth to her first child, she realized that almost all parenting resources she had come across had overlooked the immense duty one has to raise one’s child into a respectable adult. Every day presented her with a new learning experience as she faced new conventions, which, contrary to how they should be seen, have led some parents to regard their children as a burden rather than a blessing.
Regina has learned many valuable skills during her marriage, including how to be a great wife, handle her husband’s shortcomings, navigate challenging conversations, and continuously forgive those who have wronged her. Her happy marriage has been facilitated by all of these abilities.
Although she experiences tremendous fear occasionally, the author is a devout person who has chosen to cling to her faith in the face of uncertainty and anxiety. Thus, she underscores the significance of every Christian bearing the burdens of others and defending their promises as found in the Bible. She is unflinchingly honest about the various conversations that have crossed her mind, some serious and others humorous, but ultimately she uses them to show the need to keep up a prayer life even in the face of seemingly little problems.
This is a really insightful text that takes an perceptive Christian approach. It acts as an inspiring reminder of the ideals that pious mothers, wives, and other women need to pursue. The author’s voice, full of ardor and enthusiasm, combines Christian lessons whose overarching message is the presence of God being in all circumstances and occasions.
True to its word, this impactful work delivers everything it promises. It is always good to stay positive and to keep your eyes on God. Therefore, I suggest that anybody who is feeling overwhelmed by parenting or who just wants a new and fresh perspective on modern married life should read “See the Good/God in Everything, Vol. 1: The Secret to Inspire Gratitude, Build Hope, and Find Joy in Every Day” by Regina Clifford. Strongly recommended! —Reviewed by Lily Andrews for Reader Views (May 23, 2024)
Joel's Book's
Top 8+ Christian Self Help Books To Explore Your Connection With God (2024)
https://joelbooks.com/best-christian-self-help-books/
See the Good/God in Everything is a heartfelt journey through the author’s life, revealing the presence of goodness and divine grace in every aspect of her experiences. This book shows how faith and a positive perspective can transform everyday moments of parenting and personal challenges. I found Regina’s story is filled with humor and honesty that invites readers to mirror on their own lives.
The author shares her personal stories in a relatable style, capturing the essence of real-life struggles. Her accounts of overcoming adversity and navigating family life offer readers a sense of companionship. She illustrates how seeing the good, and indeed God, in every situation can build resilience. Her reflections are interwoven with spiritual insights and biblical wisdom, grounding her experiences in a broader spiritual context.
I noticed that Regina’s intent is to highlight the transformative power of gratitude and the significance of perceiving life through a perspective filled with positivity and a sense of divine presence. So readers are encouraged to trust in their inner wisdom and recognize that they are never alone. See the Good/God in Everything carries an uplifting message, reminding us that joy and hope are always within reach, even in the most challenging times.—Reviewed by Joel Stafford (May 27, 2024)
You must be logged in to post a comment.