Can I Have and Do it All, Please?

by Christine Caine

More than ever before, women are navigating through increasing amounts of responsibility, activity, scheduling and multi-tasking...and we need some answers about how to have and do it all in life!

For years, we as women have been told we can have it all, be it all and do it all. Inevitably, we too have aggressively set out on a pursuit to achieve this utopian “all.” We roll up our sleeves in true “Rosie the Riveter” style (to reveal our femininely chiseled arms of course) and belt out the lyrics to "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar" in our best Helen Reddy voice.

We get up one hour earlier to exercise, another hour earlier to get the kids ready and packed for school and yet another hour before that to pray. We are consummate organizers, jugglers and problem solvers as we manage husbands, children, church commitments, friendships, finances, groceries, mealtimes, child taxi service, quiet time with God and whatever else is on the agenda.

Then, we go to bed one hour later to ensure the house is tidy, or another hour later to read a chapter of the latest best seller and another hour later to have time with our husband. It almost gets to the point where we should forego sleep altogether because the moment our head touches the pillow, it’s time to rise and shine.

Sound familiar? Well, this book is for every woman looking for answers on how to truly have (and do) it all!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Christian Living

192 pages

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Christine Caine is a speaker, author, and activist who has been serving the local church globally for over 30 years. She and her husband, Nick, founded the anti-human trafficking organization, The A21 Campaign, which works at the local, domestic, and international level to end modern-day slavery. They also founded Equip & Empower, a ministry that is mobilizing people everywhere to live on mission for Jesus. Propel Women is an initiative of the ministry dedicated to coming alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. The ministry has also planted three life-giving Zoe Churches in Europe that are not only bringing the Gospel to the region, but also serve the most vulnerable through humanitarian outreach during times of crisis.

Christine is the best-selling author of more than a dozen books and studies and you can tune into her weekly podcast or television program to be encouraged with the hope of Jesus wherever you are.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for women seeking to find purpose in their lives and those who are struggling to find a balance in life while wearing so many hats. The book offers practical advice on how to ease the stress and frustration that comes with having more and more to handle in our daily lives.

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay book, but a bit of a disappointment as it once again reminded me that an incredibly passionate and inspiring preacher does not always make for an incredibly passionate and inspiring author, and at times it fell a bit flat. I'm afraid it's one of those books that in two days' time, I couldn't tell you which points she made.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christine Caine. She is one of my favorite speakers and authors. Her books are not only inspiring and challenging, she is also hilarious.

[Amy Beaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So thought provoking to the point of making me uncomfortable.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis from http://www.canihaveanddoitallplease.com: More than ever before, women are navigating through increasing amounts of responsibility, activity, scheduling and multi-tasking...and we need some answers about how to have and do it all in life!\nA book I�ve had on my shelf for over a year now�and should have read when I first got it. And should probably read at regular intervals throughout life.\nChristine Caine provides some answers about how to have and do it all. And is the first person I recall running across who says this is not impossible. It�s all about balance and focus, perspective and seasons.\nHer book is filled with both humor and grace. There are questions to encourage regular analysis of your life and why you do what you do and what you really feel is important.\nHere is my only challenge: Caine, like many others, says that as long as you are walking in what God has for you and His plan for your life, you will find fulfillment. And this I totally agree with. My struggle is more how to find out His plan. It is expressed that you should look at what you�re good at and find your passion there. That is where my challenge lies. I am good at many things (reading, writing, teaching, cleaning, organizing, pushing paper, hostessing at restaurants, answering phones, reconciling reports�really, I have yet to work a job I�m unsuccessful at. And I don�t say that in a cocky sense but a frustrated one.). And, really, I�m not sure I�m super passionate about anything these days. Sad, I know. \nSo I will use the tips in this book to continue to look at and pray about my life and my path. Despite my confusion and frustration, I know my God is faithful beyond anything. And I need to trust Him that if I�m not on the right path, as long as I keep my heart in the right place, He is big enough to help me reorient despite myself.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is real and relatable and reminded me of many lessons that I have heard before. What struck me was how rooted she is in her faith and convinced this is the reason for her ability to have and do it all. But she did not come off as bragging - she in fact did a wonderful job of encouraging me to do the same. It was refreshing to read something infused with Christianity, yet focused on my everyday life. A great book to read and re-read periodically as a reminder to ground everything you do in your faith and surround yourself with supportive people.

[Madi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 🤩 Absolutely love this! Best book I’ve read this year and one I’m sure I will continue to revisit time and time again. I find myself bringing it into every conversation because it’s just so applicable, relatable and drenched in wisdom. It has great activities and points of reflection, memorable stories that so strongly link with her messages and bought about so many fundamental realisations that I couldn’t believe had never clicked before. I adore this book, feel so blessed to have stumbled upon it and will be recommending it to everyone!

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So practicle and realistic. Christine Caine has a knack for putting everything in plain language and backs it up with powerful scripture. Everything in this book just made sense and was such a comfort.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heard her speak at my church and then got the book. Great read. Read a chapter a night prior to bed. Kept me motivated and inspired. I love her teachings. Some of it I had heard before, but you can never get sick of being inspired. She is passionate and it resonates in her writing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title was so off-putting I just couldn't get past it and into the book! I value simplicity, transparency, and being still and content. This title is the opposite of these things. It may be a great book with a great message, but that title should have never gotten past her editor!

[Amalia Nie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having it all

I was expecting a little greater motivation from the book but it was okay. I am going to answer the questions she listed in the first chapter or two and see what I come up with for myself.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn't read this book in a day. But I forgot to record when I started it. An excellent book. We can do and have it all with God first in our lives.

[Molly Giddens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can totally hear Christine's voice as I read this! She gives great, down-to-earth advice that makes sense. I might need to revisit this book many times throughout my journey.

[Gabriela Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book for me! At one of the most crucial times in my life. Right when I was struggling trying to understand why it was so hard to find rhythm and balance in my life.

[Diane Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This book had so many great tidbits of information. This was the first book I've read by Christine Caine, bit it won't be my last! I definitely recommend it.

[Julia Fern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Christine Caine! She is relatable and funny. Her writing style and use of repetition, made it clear that she is a preacher. I think it made it more memorable that way. Sometimes, though, her sentences were a bit lengthy and choppy. I think it’s because of her conversational tone that it came across that way.

I also enjoy the cover because it’s word art, which is unlike most book covers.

I can’t wait to read another book by her … and watch more videos of her speaking!

[Dara Branham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need to decipher your purpose and hone in on your top gifts? I think this book gives that gift if you are one who takes notes on a book and works through a book as you read through it. I loved this book. It really contributed to my life. It also helps to acknowledge that life happens in seasons as she addresses that.

[Sosa Coleone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe goes two ways

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a timely book for 2015. Women are juggling more things and are more busy than ever. Between being a wife, mother, driver, housekeeper, cook, and running the whole mess we get exhausted. She says we need to get a balance and quit trying to have it all.

[Marcella Purnama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw her speak some years ago and it was so memorable that I bought her book right then and there. Then I forgot about it and finally took the time to read it.

While the message is good and inspirational, it's really hard to read the book because of all the exclamation marks... There is almost one exclamation mark for every paragraph, and honestly, it kinds of ruins the book for me. The message is good, but it does feel like she is saying just one thing over and over again until the end, only in different ways.

Plus, her writing self feels very different to her speaking self. I prefer her speaking self much more.