Every once in a while, a feel good book is just what I need to read.

Normally, I prefer to read material that either engages me, as certain fiction authors do, or challenges me to grow.

Average Joe didn’t really do either of those things. But it did fill me with encouragement. And every once in a while, that’s just what I need.

I have a confession: Sometimes I feel like a failure. Sometimes I feel like I just don’t measure up. I wonder what my wife sees in me when there are so many other marriages that look more appealing. I wonder what my kids think about their dad in comparison to the fathers of their friends.

I find myself falling short.

Neither my wife nor my kids will tell you that I’m a terrible husband or father. But I know that I’m not the man I want to be. I’m average.

And that’s what Average Joe is all about. Troy Meeder issues a call to men, helping them to understand that God uses “ordinary” people to do extraordinary things.

Meeder doesn’t give any instructions on how to get past our culture’s perception of what men “should be”. He hasn’t examined why we feel this way, or why we shouldn’t.

What he’s done is give us example after example of “average” men from his own life and from the Bible who have been used by God.

Stories like that are worth hearing. Stories like that bring me the encouragement that I need occasionally.

Do you feel like you don’t “measure up” to cultural expectations of manhood? What do you do to fight this? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

If you are interested in reading Average Joe, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“