Title: Audits of the Heart
Author: Angelica Wolf
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 9781948000499
Pages: 68
Genre: Inspirational
Reviewed by: C.C. Thomas

Read Book Review

Angelica Wolf could not have selected any better title for her inspirational book than Audits of the Heart. An ‘audit’ is an examination of one’s situation or accounts; and Wolf’s little gem of a book helps readers do just that—examine their hearts and adjust their faith to keep on the path to good and righteous behavior. The book is a series of meditative prayers, homilies and advice, meant to help readers find inspiration through reflections about personal challenges and struggles. In the preface, Wolf explains that she sees her writing as a type of emotional release and readers will feel her heart-strong views throughout as each inspired word shows personal insight. The book can be read straight from beginning to end, but readers will likely find it more helpful to use as a guide in daily reflection or prayer time. The inspirational nuggets are brief, but powerful, and as Wolf explains, “God never promised we wouldn’t suffer. It is through suffering that we grow and develop character.”

The author gives advice on how to live with others in peace, including enemies and unbelievers. Some advice is universal, such as healing and overcoming rejections, as well as moving past mistakes. There is also advice on raising children and dealing with the challenges of having adult children, showing that the author speaks from experience and understands that each phase of life has its own struggles. Also, some advice is universal for overall mental wellness: When we borrow the troubles and worries of tomorrow, it steals the joy from today. Wolf’s bits of wisdom, though, are more powerful because they don’t just focus on her own life and struggles. Instead, she gives faithful advice for a variety of situations, such as for people who are mentors or are being mentored.

Other inspirational words are more general and designed for every reader, regardless of circumstance or where they might be in their faith journey: Age can be beautiful when, besides the wrinkles, we finally notice the other ways we have changed; when we value the experience gained from struggles; when we take our knowledge and use it for good; when we seek wisdom rather than recognition; when we’ve settled ourselves with the things we can still be.

Wolf also devotes a lot of time and attention in the giving of inspirational messages for soldiers and families of soldiers. These focus on such topics as how to conquer the evil we are daily confronted with, how to justify the killing in war, and how to have patience with yourself and your soldier adjusting to changes and sacrifices. Understanding the sacrificial messages shows the author has a personal investment in her words and the emotion is real, not fabricated.

Wolf’s advice is not set into specific sections, but is rather scattered throughout the book like bread crumbs on a trail, waiting to be discovered like treasures along the way. Wolf’s Audits of the Heart would be a great gift book, or a book that can be read again and again. In ending, I’ll leave a bit of wisdom that resonated most with this reader: Don’t let your dreams disappear in the darkness of old age. Thank you for the audit, author Wolf, I needed just that charging for my mental health!