How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? by Rachael Carman

“Clean up your toys.” “Pick up your shoes.” “Don’t jump on the couch.” “Help your sister.” “Don’t hit your sister.” “Talk nicely to each other.”

These are a few of the things I find myself saying frequently to my girls. If you’re a parent, I’m sure you have a list of things you find yourself saying over and over again too. In her book How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?, Rachael Carman uses these oft-repeated phrases as a way to draw us closer to God. She says,

“The Creator of the universe has something He wants to say to you. Is your heart prepared to listen? He made you with glorious plans in mind, and He longs to have an intimate and unique relationship with you.”

I received this book for review courtesy of the author; all opinions expressed are my own. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purcahses.

How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? overview

One day, when Rachael was giving one of her children a string of frequently used phrases, she heard God speaking to her, asking if she was listening to him. Just as we often wish our children would listen better to us, so God is also a father who longs for His children to listen to Him.

Through How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?, Rachael shares some of the things she has felt God saying to her as she talks to her kids about their behavior, attitudes, and responsibilities. One of my favourite chapters was “That is not how we treat our brothers and sisters.” I’ve talked to my kids often about how they should interact with each other. Yet am I modeling that for them in the way that I interact with my husband?

Rachael also found there are three primary categories of things we say to each other. These are to 1) give or gain information; 2) shape behaviour and 3) communicate feelings. The problem comes when we put these categories in the wrong order. Our primary goal should be to communicate our love and God’s love to our children in what we say to them. Too often, however, the other “sayings” of moms take over from “I love you.”

Rachael’s book is a practical, down-to-earth devotional for moms. Each chapter is short yet thought-provoking and ends with a few questions for introspection.

More about Rachael Carman

Rachael Carman is an author and speaker for Apologia Educational Ministries. She and her husband Davis have seven children. Rachael challenges parents to live by reckless, obedient faith. In seeking to encourage, inspire, and celebrate motherhood, she also leads Real Refreshment Retreats, weekend events that energize and invigorate homeschooling mothers with meaningful worship and speakers plus practical encouragement for the homeschool journey. To find out more about Rachael or her ministry, drop by her website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

I challenge mothers to surrender their will and draw closer to the Lord. I invite moms to join me in loving God passionately and worshiping Him fully while sweeping up Cheerios, doing laundry, and planning dinner. ~ Rachael

How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You? is available on Rachael’s website, Amazon, or your favourite bookstore.