A Book Review: Daughters of Destiny

Originally published in the "Daughters of the Reformation" magazine Issue 4 (06/08).

The lack of true Bibically feminine role models is a major problem for the daughters of the 21st century. The vast majority of women who are considered "successful" by today's world are unfeminine, immodest, selfish and very often unhappy. Women who possess the beauty, grace and strength of true womanhood have become few and far between, leaving our daughters without many real life examples of what being a woman is all about. Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler (now Noelle Goforth) seeks to remedy this by introducing young ladies to the many godly women who have gone before us in the hope that we might find in their stories the beauty of true, Christian womanhood.

Through this book, Noelle gives us glimpses into the lives of 38 different women who served God, their families and their countries in many different ways. Some of them are well known even today like Sacajawea, Queen Victoria, Clara Barton and Dolly Madison. Others like Elizabeth Zane, Mary McCann, Emma Sansom and Grace Darling have been forgotten and their heroic deeds lost in the pages of time. And some women like Susannah Wesley and Mary Washington are remembered for raising up young men who would revolutionize their societies and change history. The book is divided into sections, separating these narratives based on the role that each woman played in the world, like "Daughters of Royalty", "Daughters of Lyrics", "Daughters of Strength" and "Daughters of Service". Also sprinkled throughout the book are quotes, poems, Bible verses and lessons that celebrate beautiful womanhood and motherhood.

I found this book to be very encouraging for many reasons. First, these are real women. They each had struggles, sorrows and failures just like you and me. None of them were perfect, but God was still able to use them to do great things despite their imperfections. Second, Noelle encourages us to look beyond the women themselves, and instead at the characteristics that make them true women. We are called, not necessarily to emulate their exact deeds, but rather to strive for the grace, the strength, the compassion and the determination that they possessed. Finally, this book is encouraging for young women because it reveals how God gives each person the gifts that they will need to accomplish the tasks that He sets before them. Not all of us will be called to serve God in the same ways. As First Lady, Dolly Madison was not in need of the same strength as the pioneer women, who in turn did not require the same amount of Dolly's grace and hospitality. No matter what God has planned for you in your life, be sure that he will supply you with the characteristics that you will need to fulfill his purpose.

Daughters of Destiny is truly an inspiring and encouraging book for both young women and older women, and one that I highly recommend. There is so much that we can learn from the lessons that these Godly women have to teach us. Perhaps one day, we might be able to provide the next generation with many of the true Bibically feminine role models that our society now lacks.