The books written by Andy Stanley that I have read have always touched on something I was already wondering about, or even facing. That means I have been able to read them without forcing my self to read it “because it might be helpful to me one day.” Add to that, I have gotten them for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for reading and reviewing them, and they are a good deal all around. As you might have guessed, this is another review, and it is on the latest book I have read written by Andy Stanley. Namely, “When Work and Family Collide.”

To be upfront, one thing I really enjoy is that his books are quick reads for me. Being about 133 pages long, I had it finished the day after I started it. It feels good to be able to finish a book without it taking days or even weeks. That is not to say you are pitiful if it takes you longer to read. I don’t always read books fast. That is also not to say that there is no substance in this book. He made great points, and was right on as far as I’m concerned, but he didn’t mince words, and got right to the points.

Instead of me jaw-flapping anymore, why not delve into details about the book? First off, it is about how to balance your work and home life. Even though I do not have a wife and kids to come home to, I do have a job outside of home, and it can follow me home. I have even found myself devising ways to do more work from home. From one point of view: thankfully, those ways didn’t pan out.

He started the book in an unusual way. He wrote that everybody cheats. Not necessarily cheating on tests cheating, but, since there are only 24 hours in a day, something is going to be cut from the schedule. What Andy Stanley was going for is that make sure you are not cheating your family so that you can work more.

That really is the whole point of the book. Someone, or something, is going to get cheated. Don’t make it your family. There are several people who can do what you do at work. Only you can do what you do at home. With that, he said that you are going to have to depend fully on God. After you make the decision to make your family a priority, you are not sure what will follow. God does know, and if you are doing what He wants you to do, things will be taken care of.

To illustrate this point, Andy Stanley uses the passage from Daniel when he was carried off to Babylon and put into the king’s service. Daniel was given food from the king’s table, but, not wanting to defile himself, asked for vegetables and water. I don’t want to spoil the points in the book, so I’m going to stop there.

What I’d really like to tell you, besides I liked and recommend this book, is that I believe it does a good job of addressing a problem we all face at some time. As he mentioned several times in the book, no one ever died wishing they had spent more time at the office.