“Raising World Changers in a Changing World” by Kristen Welch – Review

Any parent you ask would tell you that they want their children to be happy, successful adults. But many of us forget (or never knew to begin with) that lasting personal joy is not necessarily found the way the world says it is–through reaching a certain socioeconomic status, having a certain job, buying a certain house, or having a certain amount in one’s bank account. In fact, says Kristen Welch, popular blogger and author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, personal satisfaction comes not from grabbing onto things but from holding them with an open hand and, very often, giving them away.

In this inspiring book, Welch shows parents how to discover for themselves and instill in their kids the profound joy that comes from sharing what we have been given–our time, our talents, and even what’s in our wallets–with those who have less. Through powerful personal stories as well as stories from Scripture, Welch offers a tantalizing alternative to status quo parenting that has the power to impact not only our own families but the entire world. At the end of each chapter, one of the author’s kids offers their perspective on what it’s like to be raised as a world changer.

Most of us want our kids to be happy, and so we make them the center of family life.  This just teaches them to believe that they are the center of the world as they grow.

But what if we do something different?

What if, instead of trying to give them happiness  (translation: stuff and more stuff), we help them find joy?

Author Kristen Welch shares how being sacrificially generous has changed the way that she parents – and has shaped her children’s personalities.  She asks tough questions in this book that are born out of her own world-changing experiences in Kenya, and because she’s an ‘ordinary mom’ like most of us, she shows how possible it is for each of us to change the lives of others.

And changing their lives will change our own.

I read this book just a chapter a day – not because I didn’t want to keep reading, but because Welch asks really hard questions, and I needed time to process them.  They are questions about how you spend your money, your time, what your parenting style is, and what your purpose is in life.  Those are doozies – but they’re big for a reason.

Those big issues can make big changes.

I finished Raising World Changers a few days ago, but Welch’s words are still swirling around in my head.  My Big Helper has been so interested in hearing what I’ve been reading that she’s asked to read it next, and so I’ll be passing it around.

It’s that kind of book.  You’ll read it and hit a mind-boggling state and want to talk it over with someone.

Big ideas spark big conversation.

I think the big ideas in Raising World Changers in a Changing World will spark big actions, too, because you won’t be able to hold your same course after reading it.

It’ll change your life.

And then you’ll go change someone else’s.

If you want to find more meaning, more joy, and more purpose in your life, read Raising World Changers in a Changing World.  You’ll be so glad you did.

I received a free copy of this book from the author.  All opinions are my own.